Monday, November 3, 2008

Pontiac Heading for SEMA with G8 GXP Street Concept, G8 ST Concept & Solstice GXP Coupe Concept


The G8 GXP concept will feature a GM Performance Parts crate engine fetchingly named the LSX454 - a 7.4 liter engine with 638 hp and 813 Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This compares to the G8 GXP's factory-issue 6.2 liter V8 with 415 hp and 562 Nm (415 lb-ft) of cranking power borrowed from the Corvette.


The G8 ST concept is the El Camino of 2008. If 70s retro is your thing, then you might enjoy this low-rider, transport bedded version of the G8 ST concept. You can check out the press release for details but there is nothing remarkable except for the optics which you can see in the photo.


Third comes the Solstice GXP Coupe concept, with the same 2.0 liter, 260 hp Ecotec engine found in the factory model which this SEMA version here boosts to 290 hp with the addition of an air-intake performance kit. Here GM engages in some tuner styling worthy of seeing the streets.
more detail. ...



Other article:
New Pontiac G8 Show Car Unveiled
SPY PHOTOS: Pontiac Grand Prix(G8)
2008 Mercury Sable Unveiled at Chicago
Pontiac G8 GT SEMA Edition
Pontiac G8

Audi announced that pricing for 2009 TT-S Coupe and Roadster


Audi announced today that pricing for its U.S.-spec TT-S will begin at $45,500 for the Coupe model and $47,500 for the open-air Roadster. The TT-S joins the TT 2.0T and TT 3.2 in Audi's lineup, settling atop the range with a turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L TFSI engine producing 265 hp @ 6,000 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's 15 more horsepower and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the TT with Audi's 3.2L V6.


The TT-S Coupe also manages to hit 60 mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds while achieving a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg. Top speed for both the Coupe and Roadster, however, will be electronically limited to 155 mph. For their money, buyers will also get Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission, magnetic ride suspension and the brand's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system.


If the TT-S is still not fast enough for you, the TT-RS is on its way. While it may not make it to U.S. shores, the TT-RS will pack a 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder producing 340 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, which will be mated to a six-speed manual and quattro all-wheel-drive. 0-60 times for the TT-RS are expected to drop even further down to 4.5 seconds. Expect the price to also go up even further in turn.

PRESS RELEASE



Other article:
Audi TT S Spied with LED Headlamps
Audi TTS Officially Unveiled at Detroit
Audi TT-RS Roadster First Spy
Audi TT RS Spied
Audi TT RS Newest Spy Photos
Audi TT RS was realized that not covers up in the American soil

Car News: 2009 Renault Megane Coupe U.K. pricing announced


As the more athletic model in the New Megane series, the Coupe does without the 1.6 100 engine seen on the five-door, but gains Renault’s first CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) with the 2.0 140 gas engine.

Confirming that elegant and sport-oriented vehicles can still be safe for the environment, all five diesel versions of the Coupe fulfill Renault’s eco criteria. Six-speed manual gearboxes are standard for all models in the series with the exception of the 1.5 dCi 86 which is five-speed, and of course the CVT.

Completing the Coupe series is Privilège, offering 16-inch ‘Spirale‘ alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, folding door mirrors which are electrically adjusted, electrochome rear view mirror, rear seat armrest with storage and rear parking sensors.


As well as its profuse equipment list, the new Megane Coupe series is available with a wide range of choices:

* £840 ($1,350 or €1,060) Arkamys ‘3D’ Sound 4×30W RDS radio CD with Bluetooth and multi-functional TunePoint (for USB keys and portable music players)
* £400 ($643 or €504) Dual zone climate control (Dynamique in lieu of air conditioning)
* £200 ($321 or €252) Heated front seats
* £300 ($482 or €378) Heated and electric front seats
* £600 ($965 or €757) Fixed sunroof
* £900 ($1,447 or €1,136) Leather upholstery (beige or carbon depending on version)
* £375 ($303or €473) Metallic paint
* £300 ($482 or €378) Rear parking sensors
* £1,600 ($2,572 or €2,018) Satellite navigation – full colour 2D screen with 3D sound 4×30W RDS radio CD with Bluetooth



Four cost-cutting option packages are also offered:

* £500 ($803 or €630) Hands Free (Hands free Renault card and electrically operated folding heated door mirrors)
* £650 ($1045 or €820) Xenon (Xenon headlights with wash)
* £800 ($1286 or €1009) Sunroof Plus (4×15W radio CD with Arkamys 3D sound, fixed sunroof and Hands free Renault card)
* £900 ($1,447 or €1,136) Convenience (fixed sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor and heated seats)

To improve the remarkable lines of the new Coupe, a rear spoiler is offered at £375 ($303or €473), as well as a Body Kit (front, rear and side skirts) for £985.


Full pricing for the new Megane Coupe range is outlined below:

Model Engine CO2 g/km MPG comb. Benefit-in-kind Ins. Group OTR Price:

* Expression 1.6 VVT 110 hp 163 40.9 20% 7E £14,745 ($23,713 or €18,600)
* 1.5 dCi 86 118 hp 62.8 13% 5E £15,395 ($24,757 or €19,438)
* 1.5 dCi 106 120 hp 62.8 13% 6E £16,195 ($26,044 or €20,448)
* Dynamique 1.6 VVT 110 hp 163 40.9 20% 7E £15,645 ($23,713 or €25,160)
* 2.0 TCe 180 178 hp 37.2 23% 13E £18,145 ($29,170 or €22,906)
* 1.5 dCi 106 120 hp 62.8 13% 6E £17,095 ($27,482 or €21,566)
* 1.9 dCi 130 134 hp 55.4 18% 9E £18,295 ($29,410 or €23,083)
* Privilège 2.0 140 hp CVT 175 37.2 23% 8E £18,570 ($29,851 or €23,430)
* 2.0 TCe 180 178 hp 37.2 23% 13E £19,045 ($30,615 or €24,042)
* 1.9 dCi 130 134 hp 55.4 18% 10E £19,195 ($30,867 or €24,254)
more detail. ...









Other article:
Renault Megane Coupe in Need for Speed Undercover
Renault Megane Coupe Caught at the Ring
streamlined new Renault Megane Spy
New Renault Mégane III
Renault Megane Renault Sport dCi
Renault Megane III Spied
Renault Megane F1 Team R26 Details
Renault Megane GT
New 2009 Renault Mégane Trophy Revealed in Paris

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Greek Tragedy: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Goes Down in Athens

Any sort of accident that involves expensive sports cars always draws the attention of the media and car aficionados alike. This Ferrari mishap that occurred somewhere in the capitol of Greece, Athens, is no exception as these pictures made the round of the world. Details are scarce but what really amazes us is that, despite the ferocity of the crash, the powertrain of the 599 GTB Fiorano remained relatively intact. Hopefully, the same goes for the driver of the Italian supercar.

RELATED STORIES



Source: WreckedExotics , Via: Jalopnik

Pontiac to Debut G8 ST Pickup Truck Concept at SEMA

Since the Holden-based Pontiac G8 ST -where ST stands for Sport Truck- isn't due to arrive in dealers' showrooms before late 2009, General Motors decided to keep up the excitement with the introduction of a so-called concept version loaded with factory accessories at this week's SEMA Show. Highlights of GM-accessorized Pontiac G8 ST Concept include a custom red paint job with enhanced clear coat, lowered ride height, chunky 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats with red inserts, custom interior trim kit, G8 GXP steering wheel and shift knob with red inserts and a hard tonneau cover.

There are no changes under the hood as the Pontiac G8 ST Concept retains the production model's 6.0-liter small-block V8, rated at 361HP and 385 lb.-ft. of torque (522 Nm). The V8 unit features GM's Active Fuel Management technology, which allows the engine to switch from eight-cylinder to four-cylinder operation during light-load driving conditions, enhancing fuel economy. The transmission is a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic. According to Pontiac, the production model has a 0-to-60 time of 5.4 sec.

RELATED STORIES:

Car News:High Drama as Last Corner Crowns Hamilton F1 Champion


Nov.2 - Timo Glock and Sebastian Vettel played a vital role in the outcome of the 2008 world championship, played out over a dramatic Brazilian grand prix where emotions ran high.

In the drizzly confusion on the last lap, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton lost his necessary fifth place to Toro Rosso's Vettel, only to win it back again at the final corner of the 71-lap race when Glock, who drives for Toyota, could not hold the Briton at bay on his unsuitable dry tyres. more detail. ...
















What's in a Name: Chilean and Brazilian Chevy Vectras

In the beginning we wanted to write about the new Chilean market Chevrolet Vectra but for no particular reason we decided to spend some time looking into GM's global crate of nameplates. Now, pay attention because you may get lost in translation: in Europe, GM's execs scraped the Vectra name as it was considered synonymous with "boring" in favor for the more snazzy "Insignia". In Chili, the current Chevy Vectra which is the same car as the outgoing European Opel / Vauxhall Vectra will be physically replaced by the Insignia but for some reason, the new mid-size sedan will retain the same name as before.

Moving east to Brazil and Argentina, GM thought it would be a good idea to patch the Vectra nameplate on the Chevy branded, third-generation Opel Astra sedan and hatchback models. However, in the same two South American countries, Chevrolet continues to sell Opel's previous, second-generation subcompact model as the Astra! And just for the record, the Omega nameplate that once decorated Opel's last, range-topping RWD sedan, is now used on Chevrolet's Brazilian market Holden Commodore aka the Pontiac G8... Don't you just love GM's name-sharing bin; nothing ever goes wasted!