After all: BMW X1 SUV official details
Written by nitram on July 3, 2009
The all-new BMW X1 has finally been officially revealed after a plethora of photographs were leaked into the web last night. Cutting to the chase, the X1 is BMW’s new entry-level SUV model slotting right under the X6, X5 and X3. It will arrive at European showrooms this fall rivaling high-end versions of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUVs while BMW has also confirmed that the X1 will be offered in the States from 2011.
f BMW’s latest SUV/SAV looks familiar to you, it’s no surprise as the X1 was shown in pre-production form at last year’s Paris auto show under the ConceptX1 moniker. Compared to the X3’s fussy styling, a more streamlined look has been adopted for the X1 that incorporates flatter surfaces and tauter forms. We’re still trying to get used to that large snout, but we’ll wait to see the car up close for our final judgment (don’t expect us to fall in love…).
New Citroen C3 Hatchback: Fiesta Rival Officially Revealed, Sales Start in November
Written by nitram on July 1, 2009
The first official photographs and details of the all-new C3 were published today ahead of the French supermini’s public debut at the Frankfurt motorshow in September. Aimed squarely against the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio, Citroen’s C3 will go on sale in most parts of Europe in early November with the UK following in the beginning of next year.
Like its predecessor, the new C3 will be offered exclusively as a five door hatch with Citroen planning to introduce a more premium three-door version of the car called DS3 in 2010 that will compete against the MINI.
On the outside, the new C3’s styling is an evolution of the previous design, albeit more dynamic with a tauter profile and many new details including the front fascia that is inspired by the DS3 concept.
A unique feature of the 2010MY C3 is the oversized glass windscreen that extends well past the A-pillars offering plenty of light inside the cabin. According to Citroen, the progressively tinted windshield smoothes the transition from the strong sun protection above the front passengers to the standard clear glass for looking forwards.
If you’ve seen the interior shots of the DS3 pre-production concept, then you will be familiar with the C3’s dashboard which is identical sans the trendy trim decor and leather surfacing. Overall, the C3’s cabin looks funkier and much more upscale than the current model
At just 3.94m long and 1.71m wide, the new C3 is slightly larger than its predecessor and about the same size as the latest Ford Fiesta (3.95m and 1.72m), offering 300 litters of boot space along with numerous storage areas throughout the cabin.
From launch, the new supermini will be offered with a 90HP HDi diesel engine emitting just 99g/km C02 making it the first full production Citroen to emit less than 100g/km.
Citroen did not disclose details on the rest of the range but the French automaker said that it plans to introduce a new generation of engines incorporating a second-generation Stop & Start system in 2011 that will include diesel versions emitting as little as 90g/km C02 and three-cylinder petrol engines with less than 100g/km C02.
Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light
Written by nitram on June 26, 2009
Automakers that hope to continue doing business over the next few years need to be increasingly aware of their fuel consumption, emissions and environmental credibility. In deference to this fact, Auto Express in the U.K. is reporting that Land Rover is moving forward with plans to launch the new LRX compact hybrid ‘ute, possibly with a bit of help from the U.K. government.
According to the report, Land Rover will borrow liberally from corporate partner Jaguar’s hardware stable, which is rumored to soon include both hybrid and extended-range EV options. Land Rover’s innovative electric drive rear axle is supposedly on the LRX menu, which would work along with the automaker’s well-known and highly-effective Terrain Response System to put power to the ground wherever possible.
If there’s any truth to these rumors, we shouldn’t expect Land Rover to have the hybrid LRX in production until at least two years have passed. In the meantime, the British-built, Indian-owned automaker is set to debut stop/start and regenerative braking on all of its models to improve their environmental performance.
Bugatti Releases New Photo Album of Topless Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
Written by nitram on June 25, 2009As the classy media and ritzy customers are taking their first test drives of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, Bugatti decided to share a few more photos of its topless model with the less fortunate. Featuring a removable top and the necessary structural upgrades, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport retains the standard model’s 1,001-horsepower 16-cylinder mid-mounted engine that allows the supercar to reach a top speed of 407km/h (253mph), while speeds of up to 360km/h (224mph) are possible with the roof off.
All in all, Bugatti will produce a total of 150 units of the Grand Sport, each priced at a ‘mere’ €1.4 million (without taxes and transportation), which comes close to $2 million US.
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Officially-Official: Limited Edition MINI JCW World Championship 50
Written by nitram on June 15, 2009
Revealed for the first time at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is yet another special edition model built to commemorate the Cooper racing team’s first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel in 1959. The car that will be produced in a strictly limited run of 250 units is based on the MINI JCW and driven by the same 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that pumps out 211HP. It accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.5 seconds going on to a top speed of 238 km/h or 148mph.
All cars are finished exclusively in a new color named ‘Connaught Green’ that harkens back to the British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in ‘Pepper White’ while the 17-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in ‘Jet Black’.
Other exterior features includes the JCW aerodynamics package, a plethora of carbon fibre parts, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle along with the special insignias.
The ‘World Championship 50’s’ interior has been upgraded with carbon fibre trim overlaid by red touches, black leather seats with contrasting red piping. The red theme is also used on the knee-rolls, armrests and the stitching on the floor mats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters. The look is rounded off with a new sports steering wheel with an Alcantara rim.
Prices for the special edition MINI John Cooper Works model have yet to be confirmed






