Fiat may launch Abarth brand

Автор: DarrenFerris | пятница, 31 июля 2009 г.

With the launch of the Fiat 500, things have begun to take for changes to take place, the most significant being the re-introduction of the Abarth branding for the little car and the Punto. But now it would appear that the chiefs at the Fiat Company are thinking of launching Abarth as a single stand alone business.

For fans of Fiat and Abarth this is truly a great move and it does only stop with the 500 and Punto models, there has been a clear indication that there is a real possibility that Abarth will be getting their own exclusive models which is really going to be something special.

fiat abarth

If this does actually come through, the new business can be vaguely compared with Lexus, but instead of going down the luxury route, Abarth will take the sports route.

For Fiat this would herald a new era of car technology and styling, creating a new sports marque under the Abarth banner will attract many people who would not have normally even given Fiat another look, which is good for business and more importantly offers the market place a new a sports brand.

Abarth was founded by Karl Abarth in Turin in 1949, the company developed racing cars which competed in many different classes during the 1960’s, but it was when they started to build parts for road cars that Fiat took an interest, taking the brand over in 1971.

Could this be the return of Abarth in its own right, nearly sixty years after the company was first formed?

Source [Auto Blog]

BluHonda Accord Car Profile

Автор: DarrenFerris |

2009-honda-accord

The 2009 Accord Sedan is a beautiful, and wonderful selling 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan. It is available in 13 different trims, ranging from the LX 5-Spd AT to the EX-L V-6 5-Spd AT. If you’re looking for a great family car that gets awesome gas mileage, be sure to consider the Accord!

Honda Accords Available:LX 5-spd MT, LX 5-spd AT, LX-P 5-spd MT, LX-P 5-spd AT, EX 5-spd MT, EX 5-spd AT, EX-L 5-spd MT, EX-L 5-spd AT, EX V-6 5-spd AT, EX-L 5-spd MT with navigation system, EX-L 5-spd AT with navigation system, EX-L V-6 5-spd AT, EX-L V-6 5-spd AT with navigation system.

Seating capacity : 5 people

MSRP: $20,905 – $30,905

Key features :

- Applies to certain models only:

4-cylinder
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
Tire pressure monitoring system
Safety airbags
AM/FM/CD player
6 CD changers
Bluetooth
Leather trimmed seats
Navigation system
XM radio
MP3 auxiliary input jack
Homelink remote system
Moonroof

Gas mileage : 22/31

Awards won :

The 2006 Honda Accord was Consumer Search’s “Best Family Car” in Family Sedans in June 2006.
Motor Trends “Import Car of the Year” for 1994.
Voted “Car of the Year Japan” in 2002, 1993 and 1985
Car and Driver’s recipient of 10 Best recognition for 23 of the last 27 years.
Winner of Intellichoice’s “Best Overall Value of the Year” in the midsize class (2003, 2006.)
Wheels Magazine’s “Car of the Year” for 1977 & 2008.
2008 Drive’s “Car of the Year”

News articles:

Business Week
The New York Times

Videos:

Kelley Blue Book
Accord Commercial

Flat Black Slammed Chevrolet Avalanche

Автор: DarrenFerris |

The hottest trend continuing to gain popularity in the who’s who of the after market and modified world is the “FLAT” look. Less importance is being placed on “the higher the gloss the better the paint job”, now everybody wants to see who can get the FLATTEST paint job!

This truck debuted at SEMA 2007 and was in the Alsa booth showcasing Alsa’s Flat Clear which got some serious attention!

See more photos of this Flat Black Chevy Avalanche

Mercedes-Benz ESF Concept: Safety All-Around

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Mercedes Benz ESF Concept: Safety All Around
There’ll be no shortage of airbags once the ESF Concept from Mercedes-Benz comes out. Aside from the standard driver and passenger bags, there’s a couple more inflatables in places you wouldn’t expect. Start with the seatbelts in front and at the backseats, then a curtain airbag in-between the driver and front passenger. The side impact metal beams can also inflate for added protection. But the last place you’d expect for an airbag is under the car itself. When a crash is detected, a giant bag inflates to add friction and stopping power. The belly bag also lifts the car’s nose a little bit to compensate for the brake dive. Other features of the car will be released in the coming weeks.

Huntsville ATHS shows the trucks of cotton country

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Chevrolet COE at the Huntsville ATHS show

While searching for a few parts last week, I spoke to my friend Mike at Mike’s Auto Parts in Ridgeland, Mississippi, who filled me in on the ATHS national convention and meet in Huntsville, Alabama, on the last weekend in May. More than 500 trucks attended the show, slightly down from the 550 that attended last years event, but the caliber of restored pickups and big rigs more than made up for the fewer numbers. Mike tracked down not one but two 1959 Diamond T trucks with the Hall-Scott LP gas option that was offered from the dealer in that model year. Hall-Scott has had an interesting history in many different vehicles, including airplanes and boats. Ford depot hacks and Chevrolet Cameo pickups shared the same display field with Reos, Whites, Macks and Freightliners. Next year’s national convetion will be held in Pleasanton, California, on May 27th-29th at the Alameda County Fairgorunds. Ed Lucast, the moderator of the ATHS website posted hundreds of pictures in their online discussion forum in the ”truck show photos” section. Lots of really neat trucks pictured there.

Isle of Man to run a clean emissions Grand Prix race next year

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Although this year's Isle of Man TT races have recently come to an end, many are already looking forward to next year's event. In 2009, for the first time ever, the normal races will be run alongside the world's first "clean emissions grand prix." The event organizers hope to prove that "being green does not mean being slow." Any vehicle which is perceived as being green, either by being powered by electrons or by carbon neutral fuels, is encouraged to enter to race on the 101 year-old racing circuit. Both two and three-wheeled vehicles are said to be allowable.

According to Environment Minister John Shimmin, "The Isle of Man has a great tradition in both racing and technological innovation. Combining the world's greatest road racing circuit with state-of-the-art clean emission technologies brings yet another fantastic first for the Island." Current plans call for three one lap races on Senior Race Day. That would mean that the green races would be held after the official TT race has concluded.

[Source: TTXGP]

The UK Hates SUVs but That Isn't Stopping Hummer...New Hummer H3 for the UK

Автор: DarrenFerris | среда, 29 июля 2009 г.

The UK and probably most of Western Europe has a strong dislike for large SUVs. But for some reason GM still feels that there is a market there for its smallest Hummer.

First official Aston Martin Rapide image comes online

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Aston Martin, UK

Click above to enlarge

It's only one image, but it's supposedly the real deal. Or so says CAR Magazine in the UK, which published this rendering of the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide today. The publication claims the computer-generated rendering comes straight from Aston and previews the final form of this über four-door coupe. They apparently have another image in hand but are saving that for the January 2009 print issue of CAR. From what we can see, it appears that the Rapide will remain very true to the concept version. CAR notes the front end has changed a bit with the concept's quad air intakes being replaced by an upper and lower grille, and there's now a more creased character line running down the length of the vehicle. The rear has supposedly changed a little as well, but is not viewable from the angle we get in this rendering. The mag is also claiming the Rapide will be powered by a big 6.0L V12 producing 500bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque, which should be enough to keep the large sedan, err... coupe, moving briskly.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide Concept

[Source: CAR]

First official Aston Martin Rapide image comes online originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang - Queen Amidala’s Starship Spotted

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Pur Sang Bugatti Veyron in Abu Dhabi U.A.E

One of 5 lucky people in the world own one of these $1.4 Million Dollar Starships. The gentleman in Abu Dhabi took delivery of his Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang not to long ago and drives around the United Arab Emirates with it ever since. He was recently caught on video as you can see below, what an absolutely magnificant car!!

View Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang Photos here!

[Source: GTSpirit.com, YouTube.com]

PCH, Ticket To The Afterlife Edition: WRX-Powered Beetle or Granada Hearse? [Project Car Hell]

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Not very surprisingly, the Bristol 408 walloped the Beetle Limo last time, so it seems only right to give another Beetle a shot at PCH glory. Since we're coming up on Halloween, let's have a couple of scary cars; scary for different reasons, yet both with the Grim Reaper riding shotgun.

Everyone knows that the Subaru boxer is pretty close to the same proportions as the air-cooled VW engine, and it can put out well over 200 horsepower without those troublesome shards of metal flying out of the crankcase- you know, the kind you get with a hopped-up VW engine. Mostly you see Porsche 914s, VW Transporters, and maybe the occasional Baja Bug with the Subie treatment, but how about a daily-driver Beetle with the 220+ horsepower engine out of a WRX? Let's see, that's a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of a Saturn V rocket, only without the lame safety stuff. But you're busy, no time to go hunting for a wrecked WRX and a dead-engined Beetle, so that means you need someone else's unfinished project. Say, this '76 Beetle with WRX engine, which has an asking price of only $3,000. The engine is there, but not quite running: "THE ONLY THING IT NEEDS TO TURN ON IS THE ECU FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM." Don't let that scare you, though- how hard could solving that problem be? Also informative is the seller's statement "THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROJECT WHICH WE CAN'T SEEM TO FINISH DUE TO TIME." That won't be a problem for you! And if when you finish this car, you'll be able to experience some really ~~lethal~~ oversteer, which will leave all your friends ~~shaking their heads at your grave~~ in awe!

If you want a vehicle that smells like certain death, perhaps it's best if that death could be that of someone other than you. That's why a hearse is the way to roll, but forget all about those Cadillacs. Forget the Pontiacs and Buicks and even Oldsmobiles, too, because you'll be stuck in a traffic jam of all-too-commonplace GM hearses every time you go anywhere. You need a European hearse, one with a name that's sure to be confused with an unrelated American vehicle, such as this 1979 Ford Granada hearse. Yes, the European Granada, which shared no components with the North American Granada other than the blue oval badges. It's got the 2.8 liter V6 that went into the Capri, but you'll need to ditch that for a supercharged 429 ASAP. As for other parts… well, the seller himself admits: "You're at the mercy of E-Bay UK" for that stuff. Does it run? Who knows? Why worry about that when you get a John Deere Green casket? Thanks to about 45 PCH tipsters for sending this one in!
Subaru-powered Beetle or British hearse?
( polls)

Brand Spankin’ New Images: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS

Автор: DarrenFerris | вторник, 28 июля 2009 г.

We finally have official photos of the new Carrozerria Touring’s Maserati A8 GCSthat was shown at the 2008 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The car is expected to spawn a new small coupe for...

Nissan GT-R Performance Parts by Mine’s Motor Sports

Автор: DarrenFerris |

With every auto enthousiast on the planet still awestruck by Nissan’s new GT-R supercar, news that top Japanese tuning firms are already offering upgrades may be enough to send them over the edge. Here are the highlights of the upcoming raft of after market bolt-ons for Nissan’s new supercar showcased by Mine’s Motor Sports at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2008.

Mines have developed adjustable coil over suspension, a 400mm brake kit, high-flow catalysts and a more freer-flowing titanium exhaust system. This has already seen a 20bhp hike in dyno tests and the firm is busying itself working on the ECU to allow the car to run higher boost levels.

See all Mine’s Motor Sports Performance Parts Below

(more…)

The Original VW Beetle: the first go anywhere, efficient small car that… floats?

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Growing up I would often hear someone say, “what is old is new again.” When you are a child those words mean little to you because you had never experienced the old. But as you grow.. *gulp*.. older those sayings seem to gain in meaning. There have been a number of revivals of the small car, so this latest trend in small car designs should really come as no surprise.

The first small car to become a multi-continental success was the Volkswagen Beetle. Originating out of Germany as the Peoples Car the Beetle was a tough, go-anywhere, efficient (for its time) auto that really captured the hearts and imaginations of many.

[At this point I am going to refrain from any Herbie the Love Bug references because I do not want to read any comments from people who do not know what that refers to.]

Instead we are going to take a look at some of the marketing for the old Bug that was. Do you see any resemblances with our modern cars and the marketing used to move them?

Brand Spankin’ New Images: Volkswagen Passat CC

Chrysler to be smaller, partner with giants and built higher-quality cars

Автор: DarrenFerris |

The big shots of Chrysler, CEO Bob Nardelli along with Jim Press and Tom LaSorda, have a different vision of Chrysler than what is considered as being one of the ‘Big Three.’ In a recent...

Smoking Hot: April Scott

Автор: DarrenFerris |

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Audi efficiency marathon over with best of 70.9mpg and 88g/km CO<sub>2</sub>

Автор: DarrenFerris | воскресенье, 26 июля 2009 г.

A group of 22 drivers has completed the second stage of Audi's efficiency marathon run between Basel, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria. While the winning team in the first round managed a "mere" 68.4mpg (U.S.) in a 120hp Audi A4 TDI, the top team in the second round managed an even thriftier 70.85mpg (U.S.). That equates to the same 88g/km CO₂ emissions as the tiny Smart ForTwo CDi. Over the 22-hour course of the journey the winning team averaged 46.35mph and if they had continued until the tank was dry they could have covered over 1,242 miles. Five of the eleven teams in the second round achieved better than 68.18mpg (U.S.) and even the most "lead-footed" drivers got 67.2mpg (U.S.). With an official combined rating of 46.12mpg (U.S.) for the A4, the 44 drivers on the two stages of this event demonstrated again that driver behavior can significantly influence, the efficiency of a vehicle. The Audi press release is after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Six Degrees of Automotive Separation: Tucker and DAF

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Tucker v DAF

So for last week’s Hemmings Six Degrees of Automotive Separation Challenge, we dipped into mainstream territory by asking you to link MG and Mercedes, but we are now firmly headed in the complete opposite direction: terra incognita, oddballeus maximus.

How in the world can one link Tucker to DAF? In six degrees or less? Impossible? We did it in exactly six. Can you do the same?

The rules, as before, are simple: A connection consists of one company owning another, merging with another or sharing another’s parts. Explain your connections, and as before, the point isn’t necessarily to do it in the least number of connections, but to do it with style and with obscure connections. If you need examples, check out our previous Hemmings Six Degrees of Automotive Separation Challenges.

Transformer Technology Is Here - The Disappearing Door

Автор: DarrenFerris |

Transformer Technology is finally here, and of course its currently only available for the rich.

The original inventors and designers of the Disappearing Car Door technology are now able to equip your favorite automobile with their Transformer-esque Automatic Door Technology. They have a video on their website that shows the door in operation on an Lincoln Mark VIII, its pretty baller, so check it out.

They claim to work with the finest and most experienced coach builders in the US and Europe, ensuring that your vehicle will be manufactured to the highest quality, reliability and safety standards, including a manual override for door operation.

Watch the Transformation

One thing is damn sure, and I completely agree with Kareem on this, when we get this installed, we will have to have the Transformer sounds wired into our sound system for when its tranforming!!!

I want it, and just for the record Transformers are so wicked awesome I can’t explain it

[Source: Kareem, Disappearing-Car-Door.com]

Four-Links – Alice Ramsey road trip, Royal Enfield road trip, Bedrock Weekend, Bugatti collection

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