Sunday, September 30, 2007

Boston’s AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival

Here at Carscoop, we have a green heart for eco-friendly cars. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered that the annual AltWheels Festival was being held right in our back yard, Boston!

The interactive and informative event was set up behind Boston’s City Hall and took place yesterday and Friday. The event consisted of inventers and futuristic concept vehicles, alternative transportation options from fuel cell vehicles to taxi rickshaws to human-powered transport systems. It was quite the science experiment! Among those alternative fueling methods exhibited during the event included Hybrids, Plug-in Cars (including hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in’s) Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Used Vegetable Oil, and Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Buses. -Continued after the jump

I had an hour to kill in between classes so I headed on over to partake in the festivities and grab some photos. It’s sponsored by various car manufacturers such as Toyota, VW, Chevrolet and Ford. The plaza was divided into exhibits with kiosks of information and representatives from each company available to answer questions about alternative fueling methods they’re working on. Check out some of the photos including the bumper sticker loving Prius that’s lived to see 322,700 miles on the same batteries!

Posted by Daniella

Audi S8


Audi S8, originally uploaded by TheMaetty.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

Avenger GT 1972


Avenger GT 1972, originally uploaded by tim72.

SXOC


SXOC, originally uploaded by Bolfotography.

Taken with a 400d whilst stood on top of a transit van on a windy hill in Edenfield.Post photoshop.

chevy chevrolet galery

general motor gallery


gmphotostore.com

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Video: 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible


BMW has officially launched the fourth model in the 1-Series range, the 1-Series Convertible which is expected to go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic in spring 2008. Equipped with an electro hydraulic operated soft top that closes within 22 seconds, the 1-Series Convertible will be available in the US in two guises, the 128i which receives a
3.0-liter, 230 Hp inline six-cylinder engine and the 135i with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 Hp. European’s will get a broader range that includes apart from the 135i, the 125i (3.0L, 218 Hp), 120i (2.0L, 170 Hp), 118i (1.8L, 143 Hp) and the 120d (2.0L diesel, 177 Hp). You might also want to check out our BMW 135i Coupe Video by clicking here

Poll: Which Car Should Play In The New Knight Rider TV Series?

Since we learned last night that NBC has decided to revive Knight Rider (click here) with a new TV series next fall, we've been raking our brain to try and find the best candidate to surrogate Knight’s 1980’s Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am. Heck, we even stayed up last night playing around with photoshop just to see what KITT would look like if he were a Chevy Camaro –mmm, maybe, a Cadillac Cien –we liked this one, an Audi R8 –that sucked, even an Impreza WRX STi –that’ll piss off many Texans.

Which one of today’s production cars/concepts do you think would be the ideal choice for KITT’s role? And oh, if you know your way around with Photoshop, don’t hesitate to e-mail us a pic! Have your say in the comments below. -Chops after the jump

Pics: Carscoop

Suzuki Kizashi 2 Crossover Concept - 2007 Tokyo Preview

Apart from the weird looking X-Head, Suzuki will also introduce a follow up to the striking Kizashi Concept Sedan (click here) previewed at the Frankfurt Show in September at next month’s Tokyo Show. The Kizashi 2 is basically a crossover version of the original concept that takes advantage of AWD system. Differences include the higher ground-clearance and the body cladding which to be frank, doesn’t do justice to the Kizashi. Moreover, instead of using the frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine like the original concept, Suzuki equipped the crossover with a 3.6-liter V6-engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. -Image gallery and press release after the jump

Translated Press Release

Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

The stirring impression the top athlete having and, it adopted the expectation which becomes unknown overflows from inside as design expression the crossover sport wagon. You propose to the user of the wide layer where with the wide field such as the leisure from business, life is enjoyed actively. As for design two keywords, “dignity” and the “stirring impression” adopting the emotional silhouette which raises the satisfaction which uplift impression is owned to running for the axis. As for the 3.6LV type 6 cylinder engine of the sea bass maximum aerodynamic volume displacement not only strong acceleration feeling with the combination with 6 speeds AT, and at high speed regarding cruising, actualizing the running which exceeds class. In addition, you are inserting also the hybrid engine and the like which considers in environment in range of vision.

Nissan Mixim

Nissan Mixim
Nissan Mixim, originally uploaded by jarapet.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, originally uploaded by jarapet.

Lexus BS Compact Hatchback – Rendering

Just last week, Tokuichi Uranishi, a Toyota executive vice president, told German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, that Lexus is interested in developing a compact hatch. “We can foresee a competitor to the BMW 1-Series” said Uranishi. This year, Lexus expects to sell around 55,000 units in Europe but its targeting annual sales of 150,000 units by 2015 and the addition of a lower priced (than the IS) entry-model would definitely help Lexus achieve that goal.

We’re not sure if this rendering of the so-called BS series that we discovered in the net has anything to do with reality, but we can tell you that if Lexus goes ahead and introduces the compact hatch, it'll most likely be based on the IS platform and mechanics (front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout). -Continued after the jump

Of course, since the hatch will be aimed towards the European market, we should expect 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engine variants added to the range. In addition, a hybrid version shouldn’t be out of the question, as Toyota Europe needs to sell more frugal and low-emission cars to deal the EU’s stricter rules.

2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible – Official Pictures Leaked!

Damn; you wait for the weekend to take some time off blogging and Saturday day kicks off with the reveal of GM’s full product portfolio through 2013 (click here) and continues with the official images of the 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible! Needless to say it’s a dam(n) leak… We don’t have any information for the time being besides the fact that the 1-Series Cabriolet will be offered with at least two 6-cylinder engines, a 215 Hp 3.0-litre (125i) and the 306 Hp 3.0-liter bi-turbo (135i). According to our information, the 1-Series Coupe based soft-top will be available from early next year. We’ll get back on this story (there goes Saturday night…) as soon as we retrieve more info. -Follow the jump for the full image gallery

Via: Autoblog.nl (& The Internet...)

Suzuki Crosscage & Biplane Concepts - 2007 Tokyo Preview

We’re quite fine thank you, meaning we haven’t mixed our socks with our underwear -yet... The Tokyo Show isn’t only about cars; it also hosts motorcycle and commercial vehicle premiers. Suzuki on its behalf will show off two motorcycle concepts, the Crosscage and the Biplane. We found a Japanese teaser press release on both concepts but it didn’t make much sense so we can only tell you that the Crosscage uses fuel-cells while the Biplane, which incorporates a V4 engine, draws its inspiration from airplanes. -Continued after the jump

Translated Press Release

Crosscage

It is the fuel cell car which can do optimum power control by combining the air cooled fuel cell system and the advanced accumulator of simple small size light weight. Starting which fuel economy efficiency is fast low, the intelligent energy corporation of feature (England) make adopted the thing to fuel cell unit, in addition it was safe in the accumulator and the lithium ion electric battery whose environmental load is low was adopted. Not only not applying load, being simple in terrestrial environment, from the fact that it is small size lightweight, it has contributed to also the actualization of the sporty style which the sea bass seems

Biplane

The request that was included, you feel the enjoyment of the motorcycle in many people, would like to have having interest in the motorcycle " “the design proposition model which designates the joy of running by the motorcycle” as shape” is. You propose in order to have representing the common feeling which is felt from the vehicle where “, it designates the kind of image which is riding the airplane” as keyword, calls the motorcycle and the airplane and is different completely. Although it is the machine, the bosom which makes tenderness feel it forced and “the biplane” (bi- the plainness) designated modelling as design motif, it expressed the open impression of not being covered in the canopy. The engine has designed V type 4-cylinder engine in vertical ranging.

Marc Bunting / Dominic Cicero II Stevenson Motorsports Corvette

Shot by \"The Daredevil\" himself at the 2007 VIR Grand Am event

Dodge Viper

Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper, originally uploaded by TheMaetty.

Corvette

Corvette
Corvette, originally uploaded by RicKarr.

Chevrolet Concept Car

The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra has got what it takes to be a star. Not just because its rear spoiler shoots so brashly up towards the heavens. The bold and aggressive design of the sports car study takes the Chevrolet body language to the extreme. "We wanted to explore the concept of a Chevrolet muscle car reinvented for Europe," says David Lyon, Executive Director GM Asia-Pacific Design.
The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept car is equipped with a powerful 1,991 cm3 diesel unit generating 139 kW/190 hp. The basic version of the four-cylinder engine is the common rail unit with four-valve technology and variable turbine blade geometry currently powering the Chevrolet Captiva and due to go into the Epica from spring 2007.For Ewan Kingsbury, the Lead Designer of the WTCC Ultra, "aggressive", "muscular" and "dramatic" are the words that first spring to mind when he is asked to describe the design of the new project. "As the chosen theme of the car was a concept racecar, this immediately gave me license to push the passion and aggression of the styling to the extreme".

UAW’s Contract Reveals GM’s Future Product Portfolio! – Cadillac CTS Coupe, H3T Pick Up & More!

We just finished reading the full summary of UAW’s contract with GM (click here) and guess what; UAW included (by mistake?) GM’s future product portfolio through 2013!!! What a #ucking booboo! The list gives us an unprecedented view of specific product commitments in 16 assembly plants across the USA. As you might have guessed, GM isn't at all happy with UAW as this information is considered highly confidential for apparent competitive reasons. We’ve included the whole list for your gratification right after the jump (click the title or below), but here are a few goodies to get you started:
  • Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacements due in 2012
  • Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010
  • Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009
  • Cadillac CTS Wagon to be introduced in 2009
  • Cadillac CTS Coupe coming in 2009
  • Hummer H3T Pick Up to be introduced shortly
  • Hummer H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011
  • Two midsize / large rear-wheel-drive cars based on the Zeta platform (Camaro) to be introduced in 2011
  • Chevrolet to produce large four-door notchback in 2010


Plant

Products

Arlington, Texas


GMT 900 truck and SUV continued until 2012

C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement beginning 2013


Bowling Green, Ky.


Corvette and Cadillac XLR continue until 2011

Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacement product beginning 2012


Detroit Hamtramck, Mich.


Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS continue until 2010

Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009

Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010

Global Epsilon Chevrolet beginning in 2012


Fairfax, Kan.


Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura continue until 2011

Global Epsilon Buick and Saturn beginning in 2009

Chevrolet large 4-door notchback beginning in 2010


Flint, Mich.


GMT 900 full-sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab until 2011

GMT 900 medium-duty truck continues until 2008

C3XX full sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab beginning in 2012


Fort Wayne, Ind.


GMT 900 full-sized truck and light-duty commercial cab until 2011

C3XX full-sized truck and light-duty pickup replacement product beginning in 2012


Janesville, Wis.


GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV continues until 2012

Medium-duty truck continues until 2009

C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement for current GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV products beginning in 2013


Lansing Delta Township, Mich.


GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda products continue until 2011

GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda replacement products beginning in 2012

Chevrolet Lambda product beginning in 2011


Lansing (Mich.) Grand River


Cadillac CTS, Cadillac STS and Cadillac SRX continue through 2009

Cadillac CTS wagon and Cadillac CTS coupe beginning in 2009

Zeta products (two styles) beginning in 2011


Lordstown, Ohio


Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 continue through 2009

Global Gamma 4-door notchback beginning in 2010

Global Alpha (2 styles) beginning in 2011


Orion, Mich.


Pontiac G6 continues through 2013


Pontiac, Mich.


GMT 900 full-sized light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup continue through 2011

C3XX full-sized truck, light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup beginning in 2012


Shreveport, LA.


H3, H3T, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon continue through 2011

H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011


Spring Hill, Tenn.


Chevrolet Lambda continues through 2012

Theta Epsilon SUV beginning in 2011

Next-generation Chevrolet Lambda replacement product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012


Wentzville, Mo.


Chevrolet and GMC large vans continue through the product lifecycle, beyond 2012

Next-generation Chevrolet and GMC large vans replacement for the current product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012


Wilmington, Del.


Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky continue until 2012


Cell Phone & Cars Equals Trouble...

No wonder Arnie doesn’t want anyone –especially teenagers (click here) to use cell-phones in their cars... Can you think of a better reason to ban those "devilish" machines in vehicles than this cell-phone related accident caused in Russia?

-More images after the jump

Via: englishrussia