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Hyundai ix20, Updated i10 to Debut at Paris Auto Show

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:38:36 +0000

Hyundai will use the Paris auto show to debut the ix20, a sketch of which appears above. The company describes it as a B-segment MPV, meaning it will likely be similar to the Chevrolet Orlando that also will bow in Paris. The ix20 is touted to combine engaging driving dynamics with the practicality of a minivan, although the sketch reminds us more of a small crossover. Like the new Hyundai Tucson, the ix20 was styled and designed in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Additionally, Hyundai’s stand will show off an updated iteration of the i10 subcompact . It’s said to be more competitive and feature a new, highly efficient 1.0-liter engine that produces just 99 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. We’ll have more details live from the Paris show at the end of this month. Neither the ix20 nor the i10 are planned for sale in the U.S. Related posts: Chevrolet Orlando to Debut at Paris Auto Show (It’s Still Not Coming Here) Peugeot to Debut Diesel Hybrid Crossover at Paris Auto Show Kia Pop Electric-Car Concept to Debut at Paris Auto Show Go here to read the rest: Hyundai ix20, Updated i10 to Debut at Paris Auto Show

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Hyundai ix20, Updated i10 to Debut at Paris Auto Show

Track Layout for Austin F1 Circuit Unveiled

Horisly — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:09:36 +0000

The designers from Tilke GmbH have unveiled their design for the new Formula 1 racetrack set to be built near Austin, Texas . The location is scheduled to host F1 races from 2012 through 2021 and will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix circuit in the U.S. The course runs counterclockwise and is 3.4 miles long, with 20 corners and a total elevation change of 133 feet. The designers say the layout lets spectators watch multiple turns from one location and enjoy views of downtown Austin. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished track, which will hopefully be ready for racing about two years from now. Related posts: U.S. Grand Prix Circuit to be Built 20 Miles South of Austin Formula 1 to Race on All-New Track in Austin, Texas From 2012 How To: Go to a Track Day – Feature View original here: Track Layout for Austin F1 Circuit Unveiled

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Track Layout for Austin F1 Circuit Unveiled

New Dodge Logo Debuts on 2011 Durango

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:06:43 +0000

The unveiling of the 2011 Dodge Durango gave us an unexpected look at a new Dodge logo design. This image of the Durango’s steering wheel reveals a shield-shaped chrome emblem, with the word “Dodge” centered inside a crosshair design. It’s a change from the old ram’s head logo (pictured below) that used to mark all Dodge products; that design is now exclusive to Chrysler’s Ram Truck division . Outside, the Durango doesn’t wear the new emblem anywhere and instead gets block-letter “Dodge” emblems on the grille and liftgate. Here’s where it gets tricky: the steering-wheel emblem is not that of the Dodge brand. As we reported in May, the Dodge brand’s new logo features chrome block lettering with two red hash marks. So far, that has been used only for marketing and not on any vehicles. A Dodge spokesman couldn’t comment on whether the new shield-and-cross design from the Durango’s wheel will be seen on other vehicles. Our guess is that it probably will feature on the steering wheels of other products, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it replaced the ram’s head that we recently spotted on the 2011 Charger . Related posts: Dodge Teases 2011 Durango – Future Cars 2012 Dodge Durango – Spied Dodge Durango Not Dead – Car News Here is the original post: New Dodge Logo Debuts on 2011 Durango

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New Dodge Logo Debuts on 2011 Durango

MINI amazes again: Countryman TV Commercial “Flow “

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:07:36 +0000

Beside the fun-to-drive FWD vehicles, MINI also stands out with their unique and innovative marketing campaigns. MINI has always appealed to a younger crowd, funky in a way, yet still mature to appreciate the driving experience as well. Their marketing campaigns often spoke directly to its customers, delivering the message in an unconventional way by combining the qualities or features of their cars with real-life experiences. In this latest 60-second spot dubbed “Flow”, MINI used new methods in computer generated technology to show the versatility of the MINI Countryman in a way that defies the laws of space and time. And since some of you are interested in films and what goes behind the scenes, as usual, MINI gives us an insight in the production of “Flow” and how the pieces fit together.

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MINI amazes again: Countryman TV Commercial “Flow “

Short Films: BMW Unscripted – Life, passion and joy with the brand BMW

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:57:42 +0000

Nearly ten years ago, BMW films made history in the automotive world by moving away from “classic advertising” to a more engaging medium: videos. A form of branded content, all eight films featured popular filmmakers from across the globe, starred Clive Owen as the “Driver”, and highlighted the performance aspects of various BMW automobiles. In a new initiative to engage the BMW fans and owners, the Munich-based automaker kicks-off a new project: BMW Unscripted. The short films is a series about people, talking about their life, passion and joy with the brand BMW. First one to tell the story of his car is Murray of Costa Mesa, California. Murray is a proud owner of a 2800 CS with over 400,000 miles. Let’s have a look.

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Short Films: BMW Unscripted – Life, passion and joy with the brand BMW

Ford Arms Police Forces with New Interceptor Utility

Horisly — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:32:22 +0000

For those living their lives serving the badge, the durable V-8 engine and the body-on-frame construction of the Ford Crown Victoria was a reliable workhouse in their duty for upholding the law. Understandably so popular, Ford kept the Crown Victoria in production largely on the orders from law enforcement agencies. As the long-respected Ford Crown Victoria is retired from police duty, the Ford Motor Company were quick to supply police departments with two, new potential recruits. Already showing off a purpose-built Interceptor sedan, Ford has now delivered a promised sport-utility vehicle/crossover companion. Unlike the uniquely-built Interceptor sedan, the Ford Interceptor utility draws from a production vehicle. The shape and hardware of the newly-released 2011 Ford Explorer serves as the rugged foundation to the Ford Interceptor utility exercising the identical devotion to quality (if not greater) as the showroom example. However, the crossover is certain to attract a different respect when light bars and law enforcement graphics. The utility version of the Ford Interceptor draws upon the 280 horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 engine for response to emergency situations or the rare pursuit. Aided by Ford’s Ti-VCT valve control, the smaller V-6 provides a 20% improvement in fuel mileage over the Crown Victoria’s V-8 powerplant. Matched with a six-speed automatic, the Ford Interceptor utility has been specially geared for greater acceleration and lower RPMs at cruising speed. Further mechanical enhancements Ford has addressed in outfitting the Explorer for law enforcement duties include a larger radiator, heavy-duty alternator, a water-cooled transfer case with all-wheel drive models and enlarged brakes. Apart from beefed up mechanical equipment, police officers will also become accustomed to a greater presence of electronic aids. One such program directly focused for the Ford Interceptor utility is Curve control. Exclusively designed for the high-speed driving recognized as an occupational hazard, the Curve control system developed by Ford can ’smart brake’ the Interceptor utility in order to retain cornering stability and direction. BLIS ® (Blind Spot Information System), Rear-view camera, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and even Ford SYNC ® can be named as additional gadgets acting to assist an office on duty. Opportunistic of the Ford Crown Victoria’s ceasing production, the other American automakers are in hot pursuit of Ford’s future police car efforts. Relying on the guise of the Chevrolet Caprice nameplate (one of the few automotive names to garner the same respect of police as the Crown Victoria), the rear-wheel drive Holden Statesman sedan comes from Australia as General Motor’s newest police car candidate. Chrysler has also been promoting the Dodge Charger to the law enforcement community as the only sedan option based on an American production car. With all the new police cars including the Ford Interceptor utility patrolling neighbourhoods, maybe RoboCop provides the best advice. “Stay out of trouble!” Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company Related posts: Brand-New Ford Police Interceptor For 2010 Carbon E7 Police Car Getting a BMW Diesel Engine – Criminals Piss Pants Ford Promises Greater Spotlight for Lincoln

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Ford Arms Police Forces with New Interceptor Utility

2011 BMW 335i Sedan – Quick Test

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:41:40 +0000

When it comes to turbochargers, two isn’t necessarily better than one. What Is It? Remember, this is Car and Driver you’re reading. You know exactly what the BMW 335i sedan is. It’s one of the best sports sedans on the market, with a perfect balance of supple ride and superb handling. For 2011, BMW dropped the N54 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and replaced it with the N55 single-turbo 3.0-liter. With direct fuel injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger, and BMW’s Valvetronic variable-valve-lift system—the N54 covered its turbo and direct-injection bases, but lacked Valvetronic—the new engine bests its predecessor’s EPA-estimated fuel economy, 19 mpg city and 28 highway versus 17 and 26, respectively. Power remains the same: 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Peak horsepower still arrives at 5800 rpm, but the new motor delivers its torque punch at 1200 rpm, 200 revs earlier than the old one. Keep Reading: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan – Quick Test Related posts: 2010 BMW 335i xDrive Sedan – Quick Spin 2011 BMW 335i Sedan – First Drive Review Dinan S3 BMW 335i – Specialty File See the original post: 2011 BMW 335i Sedan – Quick Test

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2011 BMW 335i Sedan – Quick Test

2012/2013 Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 0846 Sports Coupe Spy Photos – Future Cars

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:35:30 +0000

This horribly mutilated STI shows that development continues on the joint Toyota/Subaru sports coupe. Sports-car loving Toyota president and CEO Akio Toyoda is committed to producing a Lexus LFA for the masses—or at least some kind of affordable rear-drive sports car—possibly as early as late next year. That is, if the horribly chopped and bobbed Subaru we caught scaring small children in the desert ever fulfills its production destiny, eventually becoming the $20,000–$30,000 Toyota FT-86 rear-drive sports coupe. Keep Reading: 2012/2013 Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 0846 Sports Coupe Spy Photos – Future Cars No related posts. The rest is here: 2012/2013 Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 0846 Sports Coupe Spy Photos – Future Cars

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2012/2013 Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 0846 Sports Coupe Spy Photos – Future Cars

Car Magazine reviews the BMW M3 Competition Package 2010

Maria Palma — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:05:31 +0000

The Competition Package for E92 M3 was introduced at the beginning of this year as an option, aiming at offering the owners of M3 Coupe a feeling closer to the CSL model through a set of performance-oriented enhancements included in the pack. Along with visual improvements which include modified rear lights with glass covers in a homogeneous red color, the Competition Package further enhances the highly responsive chassis by installing a 10mm lower suspension and 19” wheels with greater offset for a wider track. Combined with remapped Electronic Damping Control and Dynamic Stability Control systems, the M3 with Competition Package is the best handling production M car ever built. UK journalists continue to review the Competition package, and this time Car Magazine offers us a thorough analysis of the pack. The final evaluation is extremely positive, the car scoring maximum points in Handling, Performance and Feelgood Factor, among others. And when you get on and enjoy the engine when it’s running… You’ll experience one of the best cars on sale today, and one of the world’s great engines. Once you’ve let it warm through of course – set off in a cold M3 and you’ll have to wait for the oil temperature needle to swing towards 100deg and the adjustable red zone on the rev counter to head towards 8000rpm before you feel comfortable giving it full beans. But when everything is warm there’s a crisp rasp to accompany the slightest twitch of your right foot, and a completely addictive V8 roar when you head for the red line. It’s no deep-chested muscle car, but something much more highly strung, a little delicate but nonetheless brilliant. And when you’re homing in on 8300rpm, watching the shift lights flickering on, you’ll think there’s no better place you could possibly be. The Competition Package itself is a £3315 option (), and because it includes a set of 19-inch wheels and the adjustable dampers (ordinarily £1265 and £1295, and a must-have for most M3 drivers) BMW reckons it’s not only good value but will be taken up by 60% of customers. The bonus is that the bigger wheels are clearly inspired by the E46 CSL – they’re very tasty. A 10mm suspension drop, lifted from last year’s M3 Edition, and a special M mode for the DSC system complete the package. And does it make a difference? Unfortunately we didn’t have a track to play on, but the reality is this latest M3 feels better than ever, with a sharp turn-in, strong resistance to understeer, and the ability to let you schlep along with the hoi polloi one moment, and act like a complete hooligan the next. Just make sure you leave the dampers in their regular setting – anything overtly sporting is just too stiff for the UK. Verdict The 4.0-litre V8 engine alone is enough to award the M3 five stars, but that the fact it steers brilliantly, goes bloody fast, looks great, and now does its bit for the environment too, makes it better than ever, and one amazing motor car. We love it. We want one. Full article at Car Magazine

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Car Magazine reviews the BMW M3 Competition Package 2010

BMW begins production of the new BMW X3 at Spartanburg plant

Maria Palma — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:03:52 +0000

Press Release: BMW Manufacturing announced today that production of the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle got underway at the South Carolina plant. In early 2008, BMW Group announced that it would invest $750 million in the South Carolina plant, its largest investment in South Carolina to date. This commitment paved the way for construction of a new Assembly Hall built exclusively to produce the BMW X3 along with a significant expansion to the existing Paint Shop. This 1.5 million square foot addition increases the plant’s total footprint to over 4.0 million square feet. “The launch of the new X3 will mark a historic moment for this plant. I am confident that the BMW X3 is once again going to make our plant a leader in the Sports Activity segment,” stated Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg. Within the last 7 years, the first-generation BMW X3 has been an extraordinary success story for the BMW Group. The BMW X3 began production in 2004. After production of over 600,000 units, the last vehicle of the first model generation, a Vermilion red metallic BMW X3 xDrive35d, came off the line in Austria yesterday. With the model change, production of the X3 was relocated to the South Carolina plant based on existing manufacturing proficiency of the BMW X5 and X6 models. The US plant has become the expertise center for the BMW X Models. The addition of the third model to the plant’s vehicle mix has created several hundred new jobs and increased BMW’s total investment in South Carolina to $4.6 billion since 1992. [Source: BMW ]