Hot Jaguar XKR-S

Hot Jaguar XKR-S

Swayed by recent media reports from Britain, Carscoop reader L il-k Amaru returned to his virtual drawing board and photoshoped a convertible version of the hardcore Jaguar XKR-S, which was unwrapped in coupe format at the 2011 Geneva Salon this past March.

If the rumors about the XKR-S Convertible turn out to be true, expect the open top model to feature the same styling and performance modifications as the coupe.

This means aggressive styling upgrades such as the vented front and rear bumpers, side skirts and big rear spoiler, as well as a boosted 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine with 550-horses and 680Nm (501 lb-ft) of peak torque along with a revised and lowered sports suspension plus a beefier braking system.

Toyota Yaris 2012

Toyota Yaris 2012

We first brought you news on the European version of third generation Yaris hatchback on Wednesday, but today, Toyota followed up with initial details on its VW Polo and Ford Fiesta rival.

Toyota’s newcomer in the European supermini segment will manufactured at the Japanese firm’s Valenciennes factory in France with sales to start before the end of this summer.

At launch, the 2012 Yaris will be offered with three different engines, two of which run on gasoline, the 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.33-litre dual VVT-I, and the other, a 1.4-litre D-4D, on diesel. A hybrid version based on the 2011 Geneva Motor Show concept car has been confirmed for next year with more details to be released at a later date.

The Japanese automaker said the new Yaris will offer affordable multimedia connectivity with the introduction of Toyota Touch & Go featuring a rather large 6.1-inch display with touch screen technology. According to the company, it will be standard equipment on 95 per cent of sales.

Commenting on the introduction of the new Yaris, Didier Leroy, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, said: “[The] New Yaris represents Toyota’s strongest offer yet in the important supermini segment. With its new levels of ingenuity, efficiency and quality, we are confident it can build upon Yaris’s previous success and help Toyota rejuvenate its presence in Europe and move towards one million annual sales in the region in the medium term.”

Saab UK Announces 2012

Saab UK Announces 2012

If there was ever an award for bad timing, Saab’s UK division would probably be a front-runner this month. You see, there is something fundamentally wrong with announcing pricing and details on a new product when its production has been suspended (even if, as Saab claims, proves to be temporary, in which case, why not wait?).

In any case and with Saab’s future depending on deals that still need to be approved from Swedish, European and Chinese officials, the company gave out UK pricing information on the 2012 model year 9-5 range, which benefits from the introduction of the SportWagon and a series of enhancements, including additional features and further reduced CO2 emissions for all engines.

The main attraction of the 9-5’s 2012 lineup is the presentation of the estate model with the SportWagon moniker. Boasting a more practical body style with an adaptable load capacity of up to 1,600 litres, or 527 litres with the rear seats up, the 9-5 SportWagon is available with several engine choices. These include a 2.0-liter turbo diesel in 160HP and 190HP outputs, a 1.6-liter Turbo petrol with 180HP, a 2.0-liter petrol with 220HP in both FWD and AWD flavors, and a top-end 2.8-liter Turbo with 300HP and standard AWD.

On-the-road prices for the station wagon model range from £26,995 to £39,195.

Saab says it has fine-tuned all 9-5 engines, which as a result, deliver an average CO2 reduction and fuel consumption improvement of 4.7 percent. Changes have been made to the chassis as well with suspension upgrades on all models while Saab’s all-wheel-drive system now includes an electronic, limited-slip differential (eLSD) as standard on Aero XWD models.

Finally, the Swedish automaker has added new interior trim finishes on both Vector SE and Aero variants, while satellite navigation and digital radio (DAB) becomes standard on all models.

Saab UK said it will begin accepting orders now with customer deliveries to commence in Autumn 2011.

Ford’s European Cars

Ford’s European Cars

Ford’s auto sales across its 51 European markets (including Russia, Turkey and certain countries from North Africa) in May rose 13 percent to 143,800 units, up by 16,600 units from a year earlier. May sales in the firm’s traditional 19 European markets rose by 10.5 percentage points to 116,500, up by 11,100.

Year to date, the company’s sales across its total 51 markets across Europe in the first five months of 2011 were up 0.6 percent to 684,000 vehicles compared to the same period in 2010, while in its traditional 19 European markets, Ford saw its sales drop 4.6 percent to 570,400 units.

Ford said the lower sales in the 19 European markets were due to the scrappage schemes that were still in place in the early part of 2010 as well as the company’s decision to selectively reduce participation in low margin business.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI with 165HP

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI with 165HP

German tuning firm Senner has a new solution for anyone looking to upgrade their desperately plain Audi A1 supermini. The tune starts with the A1’s 1.4-liter TFSI gasoline engine, which normally produces 122-horsepower and 265Nm of peak torque. A custom-tailored ECU along with a sports exhaust system bumps those figures to 165HP and 265Nm (195.5 lb-ft). The engine tune is complemented by an adjustable sports suspension from KW.

For the baby Audi’s exterior, Senner Tuning chose a teak brown metallic hue contrasted by white accents on the mirrors, roof arches, side sills and the massive Barracuda Tzunamee 19-inch alloy wheels shod in beefy 225/35 R19.

The package also includes a re-sprayed front grille in a glossy black finish along with a new front apron, side skirts and a modified rear bumper that houses a diffuser and two exhaust outlets.

Inside, the A1 features sports seats trimmed in two-tone fabrics with matching floor mats and an upgraded infotainment system.

Senner Tuning said it offers the A1 as a complete car priced at €36,590 (~US$52,300), which includes some €10,000 (US$14,300) worth of parts and labor.

Nissan Rebadges Mazda5 MPV for Japan

Nissan Rebadges Mazda5 MPV for Japan

After preparing its customers with an announcement in January, Nissan today went ahead and introduced a re-badged version of the Mazda5 MPV (called Premacy in its home market) in the form of the new Lafesta Highway Star. The compact minivan is supplied to Nissan by Mazda on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis, and will be sold exclusively in Japan.

The transformation of the Mazda5 into the Lafesta Highway Star was a rather straightforward process accomplished by adding Nissan’s logos inside and out, restyling the front end that gains a new hood, lights and bumpers, smoothing out the Mazda’s swoopy profile lines and adding a chrome strip between the tail lamps.

The 7-seater model is offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine coupled to an automatic transmission with five-speeds in the front-wheel drive model and four-speeds in the all-wheel drive versions.

In Japan, prices for the new Lafesta Highway Star range from 1,991,850 Yen to 2,483,250 Yen (US$24,650 to $30,700) with Nissan aiming to sell around 1,200 units per month.

BMW New 1 Series Coupe

BMW New 1 Series Coupe

The all-new BMW 1-Series five-door hatchback has only just been announced, yet bimmer enthusiasts are already dreaming up the car’s future lineup. Some of the more talented individuals went one step further drawing up renderings of the Coupe and Convertible models, which as we recently reported, may or may not carry the 2-Series sticker as part of broader change in names, and even a three-door hatchback with the famed M badge.

Follow the break to check out the creative work of the members of Bimmerpost and leave your thoughts below.

Chevrolet Improves 2011

Chevrolet Improves 2011

General Motors is releasing a model year update for its Cruze compact sedan. There are no styling changes as the company focused its attention on improving the car’s fuel economy and equipment features.

Thanks to a lower axle ratio for the 2012 models equipped with a six speed automatic transmission, the standard Cruze with the 138HP 1.4-liter turbocharged engine returns 38 mpg compared with 36 mpg for the current model, while the Cruze Eco with the same powetrain setup delivers 39 mpg instead of 37 mpg.

The Cruze Eco with the standard six-speed manual gearbox remains unchanged for 2012 returning 42 mpg on the highway.

Other than that, GM has enhanced the standard features across the range with the addition of Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB port, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather-wrapped shift knob. These features were part of the $525 Connectivity Plus Cruise option package on 2011 models. According to the Detroit automaker, the option was ordered by 90 percent of American customers.

“Chevrolet is committed to responding to what customers want and making it easier for them,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Adding these previously optional features streamlines the ordering process and answers the call of what our customers told us should be standard.”

2012 Buick Regal GS

2012 Buick Regal GS

The official performance and fuel economy numbers on the 2012 Buick Regal GS are out. When GM revealed the Buick’s sports sedan in production trim at the Detroit Motor Show this past January, the company estimated that the Regal GS was good for 255HP and a 0-60mph time of less than 7 seconds.

Now GM announced that the Regal GS’ 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been SAE-certified to deliver 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm) fat 2,400 rpm or an estimated 0-60 mph performance of 6.7 seconds, or 0.9 seconds slower than the car’s European sibling, the Opel Insignia OPC that features a 325HP V6 and AWD.

Power in the North American model is channeled to the front-wheels only through a six-speed manual gearbox, with GM stating that the Regal GS gets an estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg (8.4 lt/100km) on the highway

“The Regal GS 2.0L turbo delivers the highest specific output of any production engine GM has ever offered, and at 135 hp per liter is the most power dense engine ever certified by SAE,” said Mike Anderson, Ecotec global chief engineer and program manager.

“We’ve been combining direct injection and variable valve timing with boosted engines since 2006, and there’s no question the Regal GS turbo has the responsiveness and acceleration of some V-6s, while delivering the fuel economy you’d expect of a four-cylinder,” Anderson added.

The new 2012 Regal GS will go on sale in the States this fall with prices to be announced closer to launch.

New Peugeot 107 2011

New Peugeot 107 2011

When automakers don’t have something truly new to add to one of their models, they tend to introduce special edition versions, which most of the times translates to added equipment features. And that’s the case with the new Peugeot 107 Sportium Special Edition for the British market.

The Sportium combines the standard equipment features of the Urban trim level, namely electric power steering, four airbags, remote control central locking, electric front windows, height adjustable steering, stereo radio / single CD player with MP3 socket, ABS, EBFD and CSC, with tinted rear windows, 14-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning and “white” door mirror covers and interior detailing.

It is available as a three and five door model and a choice of five exterior body colours: Laser Red, Citrus Yellow, Diamond White, Zircon Grey and Electra Blue.

Power comes from 1.0-litre petrol engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. It returns a combined fuel economy of 62.77 mpg UK with corresponding CO2 emissions of 103g/km.

On the road prices start from £9,945 for the 3-door version and £10,295 for the 5-door model.

New BMW M5 2011

New BMW M5 2011

With the first photos of the all-new 2012 M5 making the internet rounds since the early hours of Wednesday morning, BMW decided to lift the embargo and officially present the fifth generation of its high-performance saloon.

As with all previous M5s since the introduction of the first generation model back in 1984, the most important highlight of the car is tucked away behind the double kidney grilles. This time, BMW’s M division opted for a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that replaces the previous M5’s more exotic but less powerful, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 with 507HP.

Borrowed from the X5M and X6M crossovers, the high-revving eight-cylinder unit churns out 560-horses and from 6,000 to 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 680Nm (502 lb-ft) from 1,500 rpm. BMW says it has not only bumped engine output by 10% and maximum torque by 30% over the predecessor model, but it has also cut fuel consumption than 30% to 9.9 lt /100 km (23.8mpg US or 28.5 mpg UK).

The numbers that will most likely catch your attention are a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.4 seconds, 0-200km/h (124mph) in 13.0 seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph), which can be lifted to 305km/h (190mph) with the optional M Driver’s package.

Power is transferred to the rear axle through a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission Drivelogic and onto the wheels via an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential.

The new M5 is fitted with an M-specific suspension, a lightweight compound high-performance braking system and an M-tuned Servotronic steering. There’s also an array of electronic goods including the M Drive system that allows drivers to store two individual modes for a range of programmable parameters including the accelerator response, M Servotronic response, Drivelogic shift program, DSC mode, Dynamic Damper Control and information in the Head-Up Display.

Not surprisingly, the new M5’s looks are rather subtle with the most notable features including the beefier front and rear bumpers, side air vents, 19-inch alloy wheels in a bespoke design, a very discreet boot lid spoiler and the quad tail pipes.

The 2012 M5 saloon will receive its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

nissan hybrid 2011 Image

nissan hybrid 2011 Image

The current Nissan Altima Hybrid is counting days (well, more like months) in the U.S. as the Japanese automaker plans to drop the gasoline-electric hybrid model from its lineup at the end of the 2011 model year, according to a report from Autonews. The hybrid sedan hasn’t been much of a success for Nissan as only 35,000 units have been sold in the States since its introduction in the market in 2007.

Aside from the somewhat disappointing sales, Nissan’s decision may also have to do with the fact that the Altima Hybrid utilizes a hybrid system sourced from rival Toyota. Nissan has since developed its own hybrid system with a new lithium-ion battery that made its debut on the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid.

“We’ve launched our Nissan design hybrid in the M,” said Mark Perry, director of product planning at Nissan North America. Perry added that Nissan’s in-house hybrid will find its way into other vehicles of the brand. “We’re going to cascade it through where it makes sense.”

This means Nissan may be readying a new version of the Altima Hybrid equipped with its own gasoline-electric powertrain system.

New Toyota Yaris Wallpaper

Toyota has unveiled the European version of the new Yaris, its all-new supermini which will replace the model of the same name in the summer of 2011. The new Yaris is, quite predictably, based on the Yaris HSD Hybrid prototype that we saw last March in Geneva.

It adopts Toyota’s new design language, with more angular headlights and more prominent creases in the body, although the general shape does not stray too much from the previous generation model.

What has changed, though, is the interior: unlike the two previous generations, in the new Yaris the instrument binnacle is no longer placed in the middle of the dashboard but in front of the driver, and has replaced the (sometimes hard to read) digital instruments with conventional gauges. Thus, the driver gains in instrument readability, but on the other hand loses the practical double glove box of the previous Yaris.

We don’t have any official information about the available powerplants, though we expect the initial line-up to consist of a 3-cylinder 1.0 liter and a 4-cylinder 1.3-liter. In 2012, we’ll also see a hybrid version, which will use the now familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive, probably combined with a 1.3- or 1.5-liter engine to combat the likes of Honda’s Jazz Hybrid.

New BMW M5 2011

New BMW M5 2011

These are the first official pictures of the all-new BMW M5. It is based on the latest generation of the 5-Series, the F10, and boasts all the visual cues that you expect from a car that has been honed by BMW’s famous M-division: namely huge air intakes in the front bumper, side vents in the front wings bearing the M-logo, 20-inch wheels with 265/35 front and 295/30 rear ZR-rated tires, and twin tailpipes at either end of the rear diffuser.

As anticipated, the new model breaks with tradition by using a twin-turbocharged V8 (the outgoing M5 had a V10 and the one before that a V8, with the previous versions making do with in-line straight sixes, all naturally aspirated) sourced from the X5 M and X6 M.

Losing two cylinders and gaining two turbochargers seems like a fair trade, though, since the new M5’s output is up by 45 hp, from 507 to 552, and, more importantly, maximum torque has risen from 383 to 501 lb-ft (53,0 to 69,4 kgm).

All this power is directed to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (a 6-speed manual is reportedly considered an option for the US market) and is then put on the road through M-division’s Active M-differential.

The M5 is said to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and to 200 km/h (125 mph) in 13 seconds.

Top speed is, as usual with all German cars, bar Porsches, electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), although the optional M-Drivers Package will raise it to 305 km/h (190 mph).

Pontiac Loans Heart

Pontiac Loans Heart

From the creators of the Murcielago LP-640 Roadster wannabe we showed you back in 2009, comes a new Lamborghini doppelganger with fresh looks but the same Pontiac Solstice underpinnings.

This time, the car is supposed to resemble a Gallardo Spyder in a Superleggera outfit. The Lambo replica is finished in the usual for this type of conversions canary yellow and while the builders ditched the scissor door solution, they did add power controlled doors and a hood, which automatically open at the touch of a button – you know, just in case some of your friends weren’t already impressed […].

Naturally, there’s no V10 under the rear compartment with power being provided by a 300-horsepower version of GM’s turbocharged four-pot located up front. For more details, watch the video below.

Zenvo Announces Special Edition

Zenvo Announces Special Edition

If you have a couple million dollars lying around and do not know what to do with it call us, perhaps Zenvo can help. Denmark's first supercar manufacturer and its U.S. importer Red Sea Distribution have announced a special edition version of their ST-1 created exclusively for North America.

Named the ST-1 50, the North American special is offered in a choice of three colors (red, white and blue) and comes equipped with an upgraded version of Zenvo’s own 7-liter supercharged and turbocharged V8 engine pushing out a thundering 1,250 HP and 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb-ft), up from the standard ST-1’s 1,104 HP and 1,430 Nm.

Furthermore, the V8 is now linked to a F1-style 7 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts instead of the standard 6-speed manual gearbox.

Zenvo made no word on acceleration figures, but we assume it should be slightly faster than the standard 1,104 HP ST-1 that completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in just 3.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 375 km/h (233 mph).

Other features exclusive to the ST-1 50 include the individually numbered plaque signed by the engineers and owner, special monogrammed seats, magnesium wheels and a complimentary Swiss made ASPEN Zenvo watch worth $49,000.

Production of the Zenvo ST-1 50 is strictly limited to 3 units, each priced at US$1,800,000 not including taxes and fees.

Old Car The Day Cadillac 1965

Old Car The Day Cadillac 1965

Here’s something you don’t see every day: an ultra-rare 1965 Cadillac Superior Coupe de Fleur “Flower Car Hearse”. Specialist vehicles such as this one traded in the glassed-in section behind their front doors for an almost pickup-like rear deck.

The idea was that an attractive flower arrangement would rest on top of the deck diverting attention away from the unsightly coffin was hidden below. This particular example is said to be based on a Cadillac Fleetwood.

The eBay seller promises, “ONE OWNER”, that this particular example was, “ALWAYS GARAGED” and that he or she, “CAN HELP WITH DELIVERY WORLD WIDE”. I really wish someone would test the latter point, perhaps along the lines of: “Yes, I’d like for you to arrange delivery to the jungles of Borneo.”

Bidding starts at US$11,900, and if successful, you can collect your ultra-rare flower car hearse from Columbia, South Carolina. Check out our gallery below or leave a comment if you wish.

New Volkswagen Wallpaper 2011

New Volkswagen Wallpaper 2011

New Volkswagen Wallpaper 2011

Global vehicle sales by the Volkswagen passenger car brand rose 12.2 percent to a record-high of 2.09 million units in the first five months of the year, compared to 1.86 million the same period in 2010.

More than a third of those vehicles were delivered in China, which has become the Volkswagen brand’s largest single market. In the period from January to the end of May, VW sold 714,200 cars in the country, recording a 15.3 percent increase.

Volkswagen also sold 194,600 vehicles in North America, posting a 19.7 percent growth in the period. In Central and Eastern Europe, VW’s sales rose 40.2 percent to 71,900 units, while the brand almost doubled deliveries in the single market of Russia to 34,400, recording a 99.1 percent increase.

In its home market of Germany, the company’s sales reached 248,000, up by 3.6 percent.

Volkswagen also experienced a noticeable growth in sales in May with 436,400 deliveries, a 16.1 percent increase over the same month a year ago.

“Our positive trend continued in May and we have posted yet another delivery record,” said Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand.

Mazda Expands CX-9 Drive Models

Mazda Expands CX-9 Drive Models

Given that are many buyers are not interested in the merits of all wheel drive when it comes to shopping crossovers, Mazda decided to expand the range of its 7-seater CX-9 in Australia with the addition of a front-wheel drive [FWD] only version available in a choice of two trim levels, Classic and Luxury.

Power for the FWD CX-9 continues to be provided by a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 204kW (274HP) and 367Nm, mated to a 6-speed Activematic transmission. As you would expect, the FWD version is a tad more fuel efficient than the AWD model returning 11.0 lt/100km instead of 11.2lt/100km.

Furthermore, each of the new FWD models are priced AU$4,500 lower than the equivalent AWD models.

The CX-9 Classic FWD is now the new entry-level model in the range with prices starting from AU$44,425 (US$46,731). Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps, cruise control, three-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors plus a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift knob.

The Luxury model is priced at AU$51,725 20-inch and adds 20-inch alloys, a power-sliding and tilt glass sunroof, heated power mirrors with 3-position memory and reverse tilt-down function, power adjustable leather seats with 3-position memory function and a premium Bose audio system with 10 speakers.

All CX9 models in Australia are fitted with six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and a reversing camera as standard.

New BMW Series 2011 wallpaper

New BMW Series 2011 wallpaper

Citing unnamed sources from within the brand, Britain’s Car Magazine reported on Tuesday that BMW is seriously entertaining the idea of renaming the next generation of its two-door 1- and 3-Series models into the 2- and 4-Series respectively.

The new badges would be applied on the two-door coupe and convertible as well as the sportier GT fastback models of the future 1- and 3-Series lineup.

As some of you may recall, this is not the first time that BMW has toyed around with the thought of turning the 3-Series coupe and convertible into the 4-Series, with the Bavarian company coming very close to executing the idea in the beginning of the new millennium.

The British magazine said BMW officials had then withdrawn the plan “on the eleventh hour” because of fears that a split in the registration numbers would hurt the brand’s image.

Audi follows a similar path naming the sportier A4-based and A6-based variants as the A5 and A7 respectively. Mercedes, on the other hand, tried to use different names for its coupe and convertible models but recently returned to its older naming system simply adding a Coupe and Convertible moniker to its C- and E-Class derivatives.

Head over to the comments section and tell us what you think about the idea of BMW renaming the coupe/convertible versions of the 1- and 3-Series models into the 2- and 4-Series.

Alfa Romeo 4C Sports Concept

Alfa Romeo 4C Sports Concept

The new Alfa Romeo 4C Sports Concept will receive its UK public debut at the rapidly approaching 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from July 1 to 3.

Seen for the first time at the Geneva Salon in March, Italy’s answer to the Lotus Elise boasts a lightweight chassis with power coming from a mid-mounted 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 200 ponies to the rear wheels. It can complete the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in less than 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph (250km/h). Production is set to start in 2012.

The two-seater 4C concept will be joined at Alfa Romeo’s exhibition stand by an array of models from the Italian firm’s past and present including the updated MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, which will also make its UK public debut, and the historic Alfa 6C 3000CM, 6C 1750GS, 750 Competizione and the 33 TT 12.

Alfa Romeo will also participate in the Supercar Paddock with the 8C Spider that will make its way up the historic Goodwood Hill.

Saab’s Cars Image

Saab’s Cars Image

The ink has barely dried on Saab’s latest attempt to form a preliminary deal with China’s Pang Da Automobile and Youngman, and the Swedish company is faced with yet another problem as Russian investor Vladimir Antonov has withdrawn his proposal to buy and leaseback Saab property.

"The property sale is now being discussed with external investors," said Lars Carlstrom, Antonov's representative in Sweden. However, Carlstrom noted that the Russian banker was still interested in becoming a shareholder in Saab’s parent company Spyker Cars NV.

“Before he [Antonov] was involved with the property sale, but not now," Carlstrom told Just-Auto. "The EIB has not come back to us - we have decided to pull out in terms of the property investment. But we are still interested in becoming an investor. There have been so many complications in terms of the EIB and Swedish government in the approval process, so it seems easier for Saab to sell the property to an external investor,” he added.

On Monday, Saab issued a short press statement saying that the “discussions about the sale and lease back of the Saab property are still ongoing “ and that Spyker will make announcement about the matter shortly, “provided that final agreement has been reached”.

In April, Antonov had received the green light from Saab’s former owner General Motors and the Swedish National Debt Office (NDO) to invest in Saab and Spyker.

New VW 2011 Wallpapers

New VW 2011 Wallpapers

In its never-ending quest for global domination, the VW Group signed an agreement with the GAZ Group to assemble Volkswagen and Skoda models under contract at the Russian automaker’s in Nizhny Novgorod. The two companies had already concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding joint automobile production in Russia in February 2011 with a planned production volume of 110,000 vehicles per year.

Under the deal, GAZ will build the Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan, Skoda Octavia and Skoda Yeti crossover models for the Russian market, with the first vehicles to start rolling off the production line by the end of 2012.

The German automaker will invest some €200 million (US$287 million) in the plant to expand and bring the existing paint shop and assembly facilities up to date as well as to set up a new body shop. Furthermore, VW and GAZ will implement a comprehensive training program for employees in Nizhny Novgorod.

"The Russian market is a growth engine for the automobile industry and an important pillar of our Strategy 2018,” Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said in a statement. “The quick expansion of production capacity in cooperation with GAZ will significantly strengthen the Volkswagen Group’s position on this key market,” he added.

BMW Crafts 760Li

BMW Crafts 760Li

The guests at The Charles Hotel in Munich, Germany, can now savor the services of BMW’s finest as the Bavarian carmaker has just handed over to the hotel the keys to a pair of special limousines based on the flagship 760Li, which come equipped with a twin-turbocharged V12 engine churning out 544-horsepower.

The two long-wheelbase 7-Series vehicles, produced as a special edition by BMW Individual, were built to the hotel’s specifications and both feature a ruby black metallic finish on the outside. The real work, however, is on the inside with the firm’s Individual division applying a full leather treatment in white with the piping on the seats and headrests finished in a dark red color.

Other features include a special roof lining and piano black lacquer trim while the hotel’s logo is embroidered twice on the seats, and is also found on the sun blinds, iDrive controller, and just to make sure that passengers know where they are when they exit the car, the door sills as well.

Volvo Recalls S60 2011

Volvo Recalls S60 2011

For the second time in a month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Volvo is recalling certain 2012 model year S60 sedans because of a potential problem with the fuel pump assembly. This time, the recall affects 448 S60 saloons built from January 18, 2011, through January 28, 2011.

The Swedish automaker informed the safety agency that the male part of the fuel line quick connector end shape was produced with dimensions out of specification and could detach from the engine. If this were to occur, the engine could stall while the driver may also notice a fuel smell and leakage, which could result in a fire.

The company said its dealers will replace the fuel lines free of charge with the recall expected to begin this month.

The previous recall action on the 2012MY S60 was issued on May 26 and concerned vehicles manufactured from November 18, 2010, through May 5, 2011, to update the fuel pump software because it may not be compatible with all the fuel pumps and components resulting in insufficient fuel transfer in the pump unit.

BMW Crocodile Leather Series 3

BMW Crocodile Leather Series 3

There’s something about cars and animal leathers / prints that attracts certain tuners from Russia and the former Soviet states. You all remember the Russian design-house Dartz and it real whale penis leather-equipped Prombron and snake skin-covered Bentley Continental GT SS. Now another tuning firm called Vipon, this time from neighboring Lithuania Latvia, has come with a new animal leather themed proposal based on a pre-facelift E90 BMW 318i sedan.

The company does not say if the 3-Series is wrapped in genuine crocodile leather or if it is a textured vinyl cover imitating the reptile’s skin, though we guess the latter sounds more plausible.

The bimmer also gets a body kit finished in a contrasting silver color that includes a front lip spoiler, side skirts and a rear apron along with a set of what look to be AC Schnitzer alloy wheels and LED lights inside the grille and under the front bumper.

Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Auto Cars

Lotus Auto Cars

Lately, it seems whenever there’s a problem with production at Saab’s Trollhattan plant, the Swedish automaker’s parent company Spyker Cars N.V. announces a new deal with a Chinese company.

Today, Spyker signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Chinese firms, Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd (Pang Da) and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co., Ltd. (Youngman), which if approved by regulators, could see the company falling into the control of Chinese hands. We'll remind you that Saab had previously signed a deal Chinese firm Hawtai but it failed to go through Chinese regulators.

Saab said the new MOU includes an investment of around €245 million (US$355 million) as well as a strategic alliance consisting of a three partite distribution joint venture and a tripartite manufacturing joint venture for Saab-branded and child brand vehicles in China.

Under the proposed deal, Youngman will take a 29.9 % interest in Saab’s parent company Spyker for €136 million at €4.19 per share and have the right to nominate up to two members on the supervisory board of Spyker.

Pand Da Automobile, which has previously agreed to invest €65 million for a 24 percent stake in Spyker, will raise its investment to €109 million while retaining the same percentage of shares in the Dutch company. As with Youngman, Pang Da Automobile will also have the right to nominate up to two members on the supervisory board.

In May, Saab completed a deal with car distributor Pang Da to buy €30 million worth of cars with the Chinese company later adding another order for vehicles valued at €15 million.

Scroll down to read the comments made by Spyker and Saab CEO Victor Muller as well as by his peers at Pang Da and Youngman.

Chevy Camaro ZL1 2011

Chevy Camaro ZL1 2011

On the occasion of the Canadian debut of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro Homecoming event at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, GM confirmed that a 6-speed automatic transmission will be offered alongside the previously announced 6-speed manual gearbox for the top-end ZL1 model.

The Detroit automaker said it will provide “further product and timing details” on the automatic model closer to the ZL1’s launch in the beginning of 2012.

The new Camaro ZL1 was presented for the first time to the public at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show this past February. It is powered by GM’s 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8 engine producing an estimated 550-horsepower and 550 lb.-ft. of torque (745 Nm). While GM is holding back on the performance numbers, the company claims the ZL1 will be the fastest production Camaro in history.

Ford Cars Rally Sport

Ford Cars Rally Sport

The Blue Oval’s rally team is reaching out to its fans through Facebook and asking them to choose a unique roof artwork the Fiesta RS WRCs driven by Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Khalid Al Qassimi at next month’s Rally Finland, which runs from July 28-30, 2011.

“Up until now the Ford Abu Dhabi Team Fiesta RS WRCs have simply featured the Ford logo,” said Will May, Motorsport Marketing Manager for Ford of Europe. “So we’re inviting our Facebook followers to vote for one of several designs we’ve developed under one theme – which is ‘the food that fuels you’."

The Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team commissioned three designs for each driver, which can be viewed on the company’s Facebook page. Ford said the designs with the most “likes” will grace the roofs of the Fiesta RS WRCs that participate in Finland only. Facebook fans will have until the end of June to vote on their favorite design.

“We have a great number of Facebook followers and we’re delighted to give them the chance to directly influence how the Fiesta RS WRCs will appear in Finland,” said May. “The roof designs will be highly visible from overhead and because they will only feature on the Finland cars, they will appeal to model collectors too.”

New Hyundai ACEA in 2012

New Hyundai ACEA in 2012

Hyundai Motor Europe’s application for membership in the ACEA has been accepted by the General Assembly of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, and will begin in January 2012.

ACEA was established in 1991, is based in Brussels and its members include BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT S.p.A., Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, MAN Truck & Bus, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault Group, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group.

Hyundai has been present in the European market since 1977, with an ever-expanding line-up and marketshare (in May it sold its fifth million car in Europe). Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Centre is base in Russelsheim, Germany, while its plant in the Czech Republic, in which the company has invested more than € 1.1 million, produces more than 50% of the cars intended for Europe.

The new car owners manual, once a 20 page brochure, then 200 pages of uselessness, now an Ipad. Great idea, compact and cool

When Hyundai debuted its line-topping Equus, the automaker also made the grand claim that it would be ditching the luxury sedan's paper owner's manuals in favor of a 16GB Wi-Fi Apple iPad and an app.

the app plays the promotional video, accesses a 3D vehicle walk-around, and runs animated and interactive demonstrations of vehicle safety features, maps the Hyundai dealers and service centers, and gives detailed information about specific vehicle infotainment functions

found on http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20026165-48.html#ixzz1PBDPukGr

100 years ago Edinburgh Scotland, double decker street cars/trolleys/trams were evolving from horse drawn - to cable cars - to electric

I like the advertising... healthier liver with Andrews salt

the master craftsmen carpenters
the finishing painters and pinstripers
the vehicles used to get the cable installed on lines above the trolley lines
and the new electric vs the old cable car

read about it if you use a translator browser like Google Chrome after this link http://dkphoto.livejournal.com/229482.html which i came across from http://p-d-m.livejournal.com/friends?skip=10

motorcycle license test (M1) ... why not take that test on a Can -Am 3 wheeler?

it is technically a motorcycle, and not registered or taxed as a car, so... instead of stuggling through a motorcycle test if you've never ridden a motorbike before, sit in comfort, breeze through the test, and go home without dumping a nice bike and having to fix a fairing.

Yes, this sort of cheating at test has gotten me to where I am today... thinking outside that proverbial box

cool customs from oldfighters.com

Don't know what these are, but they look good. That blue car is the first I've seen of a seperate nose section that doesn't have body panels connecting it to the cab

http://oldfighters.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6&st=80

I've never seen a late 40's Chev delux bomb drifting before

The Don Lee Special

Dual friction shock absorbers... I've never seen another car with them that I can recall


All these bolts appear to be used as possible weight holding locations, I've never seen this technique. The other wheels all had their weights on one bolt like this as well