Lexus LF-A on sale in Q3 2009

According to a Japanese Lexus blog supposedly from Lexus to their potential LF-A buyers details such as launch date, pricing and production units were disclosed.
On sale date will be in 2009 [Q3]
Production will be limited to 500 units, 150 assigned to JDM.
Price: 30 million JPY (around 300.000,00 USD).
If the price is in fact correct, the LF-A will be the first and the most expensive Japanese car ever. Also mentioned is Lexus will be utilizing a "Full Order Made" system, so each car's interior is per customer's specification, similar to what Maybach has been doing for their cars.

New Audi S3 Sportback

The new S3 Sportback has the same engine 2.0 TFSI as the S3 producing 265 hp (195 kW) with 350 Nm of torque.
The new S3 Sportback features a host of extras like 18 inch wheels, black brake calipers on 17 inch disk brakes, 25mm lower suspension setup, xenon plus headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new grille, bumpers and roof spoiler. The interior has its own upgrades like sport seats in cloth and Alcantara/leather or full leather, bucket seats are optional, aluminum pedals, black or silver headlining and three different styles of inlay.



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Will Ontario be the North American location for Alfa Romeo production ?

The Ontario government is reported to have held a series of recent meetings with Fiat Group officials as the Canadian province makes an aggressive pitch to become the North American location for Alfa Romeo production.

Chinese built Fiat Multipla is Zotye JNJ7160HS

Chinese carmaker Zotye International has presented at the 10th Beijing International Auto Exhibition this week the Fiat Multipla that it has just put into production under licence from Fiat, dubbed for domestic consumption as the Zotye JNJ7160HS.
The Zotye JNJ7160HS remains almost unchanged from Fiat's own long-running Multipla version, which broke new ground when it arrived in the showrooms in 1998, boasting the ability to carry six passengers and their luggage through innovative packaging in a car that was less than 4 metres long.
On the surface Zotye have replaced just the large round Fiat badges on the radiator grille and tailgate, the Chinese firm substituting its own branding in the original recesses while the model's new designation is displayed on the tailgate along with the Zotye moniker in Chinese letters. The Zotye logo is also displayed in the centre of the Fiat-pattern wheel trims. It will be initially available with one engine 1.6 with 100HP







source: italiaspeed

Audi Q5 video

Here is a video of new Audi Q5 shown countrywide

Lexus LF-A will compete at 24h race at Nurburgring

Toyota has issued a press release on their Japanese global site announcing luxury subsidiary, Lexus, will make a racing/public debut for their LF-A supercar at the legendary 24-hours race at the German Nürburgring in May.
Lexus wants to keep expectations low, by stating they have no intentions of winning the challenging endurance race which will put them bumper to bumper with well established competitors, but instead focus on extracting valuable development data under real world racing conditions.







source:worldcarfans

VW Lavida in Auto China 2008

The new VW Lavida sedan is the first Volkswagen developed and designed entirely outside of Germany and the first by Shanghai
Volkswagen. The Lavida's design integrity stands independent of any other VW designs and shows a front end which is the “Volkswagen face” of the future. So take a good look, because you'll be seeing a lot more of these almond shaped head lamps and tail lights.

Audi Q5 Official Photos

Looking like a smaller version of the Q7, the Q5 seems to have all of the design qualities of the Q7 but in a tighter, cuter package. However, the features which stand out the most are the headlamps with integrated LED day time driving lights and rear lamps. Despite it's “lower” position in the range, the Q5 maintains its premium ideals with an interior (judging by these photos) which shows no signs of diminished fit or finish

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Fiat to have HYBRID drive models in three years

Fiat Powertrain Technologies is currently developing new petrol and diesel electric-hybrid drive systems for small cars and commercial vehicles which could be successfully rolled out into production within three years time. The news comes from a report published in Automotive News Europe this week and the plans will embrace models such as the A-segment Panda and 500, as well as the Fiorino light van.

In seeking to add hybrid drive vehicles to its range, Fiat Group will be following in the footsteps of many of its closest rivals; hybrids have become popular options in the race to woo customers with new and environmentally conscious motoring options. The Italian firm will also be cementing its position as a European leader in the selling low-emission cars.

Hybrid cars, such as the popular-selling Toyota Prius, take advantage of varying driving scenarios to switch seamlessly to full electric power over limited distances, thus reducing overall consumption and harmful CO2 emissions. This action is most beneficial during inefficient stop-start process seen in the urban motoring cycle.

By 2012 Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne wants Fiat to have the most efficient vehicle range on sale in Europe, with the lowest CO2 emissions. This will coincide with expected new European Union legislation that year that will require cars to reach a tough new average CO2 emission per kilometre of 120 grams, a big improvement from the current average of 160 g/km. Fiat has already put much work into improving the efficiency of its small engines: its highly regarded 1.3-litre 16v Multijet turbodiesel will soon be joined by a tiny 900cc two-cylinder petrol unit. The company is also pushing forward with developing hydrogen technology and has fleets of Pandas thus equipped on the European roads.


source: italiaspeed

Ford Transit connect SportVan

The limited edition Transit SportVan has been created for those who want to make a bold statement. The additions have been made to the popular 260, short wheelbase, front wheel drive, 130PS model. The exterior comes to life with the unique performance blue paintwork, Le Mans style white bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, 18-in 'snowflake pattern' alloy wheels, low profile 235/45 tyres, body colour grille and front bumper, front and rear spoilers side skirts, extended wheel; arches and mudflaps all around. Inside the cab the features are just as impressive: leather seats, air conditioning, six CD-player with remote steering column-mounted controls, cruise control, power windows, power and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass and leather gearshift knob. Further standard features include: power door deadlocks with second key fob, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, front fog lights, passenger airbag and load area protection kit.

Rinspeed Squba

More than 30 years since Roger Moore's 007 put the idea into every guy's head, someone has finally replicated the underwater auto experience. Swiss design company Rinspeed has created the sQuba ($1.4 million), the world's first submersible car. Based on the Lotus Elise (it was a Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me), the all-electric convertible can drive you to the lake in style and then dive underwater to a depth of over 30 feet. The car's engine was removed and replaced by three motors — one for land driving, good for up to 75 mph, and two others for the underwater propellers. Power is supplied by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. You can check the sQuba out in person at the Geneva Motor Show next month, but, unfortunately, there are no current plans to build others besides this prototype.



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2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe is vailable in standard (173 hp) and GXP (260 hp) versions, the coupe is pretty much mechanically identical to the convertible, exept for the roof. You won't have to give up all the open-air fun with the coupe, however — it sports a removable hard targa top, and a soft fabric panel to put in place if the weather gets bad while the hard top is at home.

Saleen S5S Raptor

The supercharged Raptor drinks E85 ethanol and delivers 650 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, and a top speed of over 200 mph.

Mazda 3 MPS Rally Car

The Mazda 3 MPS rally car is powered by a 2.3 liter direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 190kW (255 hp) with 380 Nm of torque and is coupled to a six-speed manual. It weighs 1403 kg and uses 320mm ventilated brakes in front and 280 solid discs in the rear.

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