Toyota Auris SR180

Auris is ringing in 2008 with a sporty, well-equipped SR180 version. Looking great with a lowered suspension from Toyota Motorsport and blacked out rear glass, the Auris appears intimately involved with the pavement. There's a subtle spoiler atop the hatch, which always gives a nice finish to the back end of this style car, and the wheel arches are nicely filled with 17-inch alloy rims. Underhood, Toyota's D-4D Diesel provides 175 horsepower and a whopping 294 ft-lbs of torque through a six-speed manual while returning 38 mpg (US) on a combined cycle.

Equipment levels are up, providing the driver with such goodies as dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and cruise control. Stability and traction-control systems are standard, too. It all sounds and looks very good until you run the roughly £18,500 price through a currency conversion – coming out the other side at about $37,000 greenbacks. Some people would sell a kidney on eBay for the opportunity to get something like this Stateside, and it certainly is a rare Toyota that makes us say "That's cool." If you're someplace where you can take advantage of it, order yours now for January delivery.

Source : Toyota

Toyota A-BAT hybrid pickup concept

Perhaps in response to the criticism that Toyota has received over the past year from environmentalists for its ever larger and thirstier trucks, the Japanese automaker is switching direction with its 2008 Detroit concept - the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept. Toyota and Nissan pioneered the idea of modern compact pickup trucks in the U.S. market, but Toyota has largely left it behind over the past decade. The new A-BAT concept pickup is 27 inches shorter than an extended cab Tacoma and nine inches shorter than the regular cab model. In profile, the uni-body truck looks somewhat like a shorter Honda Ridgeline with rounder contours. The A-BAT is the first Toyota to have a mid-gate allowing cargo longer than the standard four-foot bed to extend into the cab. With the tailgate down, drivers can pack the proverbial 4x8 sheet of plywood. Power for the A-BAT comes from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive mated to a four-cylinder engine, although so far there is no indication of which wheels get propulsion. Based on the snub-nosed styling, it seems probable that the engine is transversely mounted and driving the front wheels, but we'll find out for sure when the A-BAT officially debuts at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Source: Toyota

Subaru's Christmas present to everyone is the release of the first official photos of the 2009 Forester. The Forester's appearance has been one of the worst-kept secrets in all of autodom over the last few weeks, but nonetheless, here you go. Subaru's PR (read it after the jump) is scant on details except to say that the car rides on a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, providing more interior room while growing overall length just 3 inches. Inside, expect to see upgraded plastics and ergonomics, with power coming from 2.5L normally aspirated and turbocharged boxer engines. From the angle shown, the JDM model depicted above still looks like the love child of a Chrysler Pacifica and a Mitsubishi Outlander.

Land Rover Defender 90 Piet Boon Edition

Land Rover Netherlands has teamed up with designer Piet Boon to produce a limited edition Defender. The Dutch designer has added some minimalist details to the truck, equipped with LR's 2.4-liter turbodiesel, in return for €56,900, a portion of which goes towards the Drive Against Malaria foundation. Like the previous Piet Boon Edition of the Range Rover Sport, only 15 will be made available, so if malaria is your cause, you live in Holland, and you're in the market for a new truck.

Maserati GranTurismo

The Maserati GranTurismo has been one of the most anticipated cars of recent years. Not only is it the first all-new Maserati since the introduction of the Quattroporte, but it is also a truly exceptional car – a stylish two-door with space for four, combined with terrific handling and performance.

At last, the wait is coming to an end. Following the official launch at the Geneva Auto Show in March and the highly anticipated first press test drives in Italy in May, the first GranTurismos are now being delivered to dealers in North America, giving even more people the opportunity to admire the Pininfarina design – at once sexy, stylish and aggressive.

Source : italiaspeed

Fiat 500 by MONACO ELITE

Monaco Elite is the latest Atelier to turn its attention to the new Fiat 500, offering its own distinct interpretation to the Car of the Year award winner.

With the most prestigious automotive award under its belt and an order book that already stands at around 120,000 units since its 4th July launch, the Fiat 500 is the star car of 2007. And its cute charms, fashionablity and iconic potential haven't been lost on Europe's leading coachbuilders who have turn their attention to its tiny frame, with names such as Carrozzeria Castagna and Aznom interpreting its evocative shape.

Now stylist, Monaco Elite, has given the little car a makeover with a unique package that seeks to give their own, somewhat individual, stamp to the 500, which they have dubbed as the 500 M. Monaco Elite describes itself as a 'high fashion atelier for automobiles dedicated to the demanding and exclusive client. The concept was born in Monaco, synonymous for elegant lifestyle and motoring tradition," they add. Monaco Elite has worked its individual tastes into a range of models from automakers including Ferrari, Range Rover, Hummer, Bentley and Smart, as well as motorbikes (BMW) and scooters (Vespa).

Using their signature 'opaque' black colour, one of 12 optional colours, the Monaco Elite 500 M includes a new aluminium meshed grille in the front spoiler which is uniquely replicated above the bumper to create a traditional-type radiator grille cut from the pronounced section at the front by following the area that houses the badge and 'whiskers' which are now transposed onto the new grille. The bonnet contains two NACA ducts.

New, larger wheel arch mouldings are fitted while at the rear a similar aluminium mesh to the front end is used on the lower bumper section incorporating a new twin exhaust tailpipe layout. Rounding off the exterior changes are new 16-inch alloy wheels. The basic styling kit is 6,600 euros, with aluminium riveted mudguards being one of a number of further optional extras.

Source : italiaspeed

BMW X6 will debut at Detroit

BMW's big Detroit debut will be the production X6 Sports Activity Coupe (unsurprisingly, BMW avoids the somewhat unbecoming "SAC" acronym), which will be arriving in US showrooms sometime during the second quarter of 2008. When it does, buyers get two flavors to choose from. The xDrive50i is powered by a new twin-turbo, direct-injected 4.4L V8 pumping out 400-horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The xDrive35i, meanwhile, gets the automaker's acclaimed 300-hp TT inline six-cylinder. Dynamic Performance Control is a standard feature that can direct torque to either rear wheel, further aiding steering in both dry weather and sloppier conditions. Design-wise, the production X6 looks pretty much just like the hybrid-equipped concept version we saw earlier this year. Basically, it's a larger "X" model with a coupe roofline. Not bad, as SUVs go, but the sloping roof obviously forces owners to compromise some space in the name of style. Still, the driver and three friends can stow their golf clubs in back while riding in comfort. Interior appointments are typical BMW fare, meaning they're quite nice. If you've been in a modern Bimmer, you know precisely what to expect. The X6 is no slug, either, with a manufacturer-claimed 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the turbo V8 model. We'll have plenty more to say after we check it out firsthand in a few weeks.

Source: BMW

New Seat Ibiza

Here asre some pictures of new Seat Ibiza which will be shown on Geneva auto show

2009 Fiat Bravo Cross

Here is how new Fiat Bravo Cross will look like

Peugeot 308 RC-Z

The 308 RC-Z concept was unveiled just a few months ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show and showed the world what the French automaker can do with the 308's new platform, all the while teasing us with its arrogant air of production feasibility. If the buzz around the French motoring press is to be believed – and we certainly hope it is – Peugeot has decided to put the shapely 308 RC-Z concept into production. Magnifique!

The TT-esque 2+2 is based on the underpinnings of the 308 hatchback but with some revised bodywork, including lines highly reminiscent of Audi coupés (that's a good thing). While the show car used the 218-hp turbo four out of the race-prepped 207 RC, the production version could offer any number of powertrain options to our lucky friends across the pond.

Insiders expect the production 308 RC-Z, tipped to be built by Magna in Austria, to hit the French countryside sometime in 2009.

26 years old Rafelo Sperafico dies in crash during Brazilian Stock car race

26 years old Rafelo Sperafico dies in crash during Brazilian Stock car race on Interlagos
His car literally explodes into a million pieces on impact.
R.I.P

Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS

Aston Martin chief Ulrich Bez continues his hot pursuit of the best from Ferrari, this time with a scorching V12 Vantage RS road car.

Powered by a 600-hp V12 borrowed from the DBRS9 racer, the 3500-pound car clocks sub-4.0-second 0-to-60-mph times and hits a top speed of 200 mph, near that of Ferrari's 599 GTB, Aston says.
Billed as a concept, the car, revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the opening of Aston's design center in Gaydon, is likely to find its way into production next year as a limited-edition model priced above the flagship DBS.

Besides the engine, the Vantage RS also gets performance parts such as carbon-composite brake discs.

source : autoweek

High speed run at Nardo for EDO COMPETITION MURCIÉLAGO LP640

At the high speed Nardo test track in Italy German tuner Edo Competition recently set a new top speed record for a Lamborghini road sportscar after clocking 345.7 km/h (214.8 mph) in their mildly reworked Murciélago LP640, which was dubbed the LP640 Versione Nardo.

Taking part in the Nardo High Speed Event, and using a highly accurate GPS system supplied by TÜV-Rheinland, the Edo Competition set the record using a special version of the Murciélago LP640 which benefited from new faster-flow air filters, a remapped ECU and high performance catalytic converters which bumped the power up to 663 bhp.


Source : italiaspeed

Volkswagen Golf VI

The eagerly anticipated VW was originally due to arrive in showrooms here next year, but the project was delayed until 2009 when new boss Martin Winterkorn took control of the company and demanded a thorough review of all future model plans.
The biggest changes have been made at the front, because the sixth-generation Golf will share the look of the forthcoming Scirocco. It will benefit from a toned-down version of the coupé’s distinctive nose, and feature smart clear-lens headlamps and a heavily contoured bumper.
The new approach extends to the sides of the body, where the hatch gets a sharp crease to highlight its rising waistline. Further back, chunky C-pillars give a typically solid Golf appearance, and at the back, there’s a near-vertical tailgate.
This combines with a minimal rear overhang to provide the car with a sporty profile – although at the same time, its squared-off body ensures that headroom is enhanced for passengers travelling in the back.
The versatile Golf will also be avail­able in three-door and practical est­ate bodystyles, although the load-lugger isn’t scheduled to arrive on forecourts here until 2010 at the earliest. How­ever, the image on the opposite page shows what to expect from the estate, which is set to major on style rather than outright carrying capacity.
Under the surface, the MkVI Golf uses the existing car’s underpinnings. But according to insiders at the company, engineers have come up with
a less complicated rear suspension set-up. The outgoing MkV’s multi-link system is both time-consuming and expensive to produce, and the new geometry is designed to provide significant cost savings without affecting the model’s superb ride and handling.
Engine details have yet to be confirmed, but VW’s clever 1.4-litre TSI petrol powerplant will lead the way under the bonnet. This unit will come in a choice of 120bhp and 148bhp turbocharged guises, while a 168bhp version is equipped with a turbochar­ger and a supercharger. The hot hatch GTI model will feature an even more powerful 2.0-litre TSI motor.
The only normally aspirated engine in the line-up will be the 3.2-litre V6 fitted to the top-of-the-range R32. And diesel fans are also in for a treat because the common-rail 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner from VW’s forth­com­ing Tig­uan SUV will feature.
The new Golf is expected to make its official debut at next September’s Paris Motor Show.

Source : autoweek

Mercedes G500 Popemobile

The Pope's got himself a new ride, and boy is it, uh, white. Mercedes announced today that they have given his Holiness a highly-customized G500. Like previous Popemobiles, the G500 has a folding windscreen, and handrails and steps in the rear for entry.

The Vaticanmysitc white interior matches the Vaticanmystic white exterior which, we assume, matches the Pope's Vaticanmystic white robes.

Mercedes says the topless G500 will be the Pope's fair weather car and the S-Class in the Vatican garage can be summoned for less sunny driving.

Citroen NEMO Concept

After presenting Nemo at the Road Transport Show in Amsterdam in October 2007, Citroën is displaying NEMO CONCETTO at the 2007 Bologna Motor Show. Nemo Concetto is based on the Nemo compact van, which pays homage to Disney's clown fish hero, with its orange and white color scheme. It illustrates the world and values of Nemo, as well as highlighting the many possible ways of customizing this vehicle.

Nemo Concetto illustrates the astonishing closeness between the Citroën Nemo and its clown fish homonym.

Like the fish, Nemo Concetto can be considered as "small" among its peers. However, its size is an asset, since it is able to nip in and out of traffic easily.

In a world where it would be tempting to think that bigger is better, Nemo Concetto combines intelligent design with compact exterior dimensions and interior space. It shows that intelligence is the most important asset, whatever the environment.

Nemo Concetto does not claim to be what it is not. It clearly states its identity with a new take on conventional automotive cues. Resembling a small truck with fun looks, bright colours and unrestrained humour, Nemo Concetto is a rich mix with overwhelming appeal.

Like the clown fish, Nemo Concetto has irresistible personality and looks.

Nemo Concetto reflects Citroën's constantly renewed capacity to design vehicles with character, vehicles that adapt to the lifestyles and world of their owners… like fish in water!

Kimi Raikkonen celebrates title with an extreme bike

To celebrate his first F1 World Championship title Kimi Raikkonen has taken delivery of a new motorbike specially built by American extreme bike customiser, Walz Hardcode Cycles. This is the second bike to be built for the Finn and has been dubbed Iceman 2, which is emblazoned on the petrol tank. The Ferrari 'rosso' machine is also decaled with the Scuderia's famous shield on either side of the frame and on the rear mudguard.

Marcus Walz and his company Walz Hardcore Cycles are known throughout the world for their wildly expensive hardcore custom bikes. When you hear the name Walz, you immediately think of outrageous bikes beyond the 100,000 euro limit, bikes that only a few can afford.

source : italiaspeed