Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Giant Car Eating Pothole Swallows VW Golf in Ukraine

Talk about massive pot holes... What you see pictured above is most likely the result of a broken water pipe that caused this road which is located somewhere in Ukraine, to collapse and literally 'swallow' a bypassing VW Golf. Luckily, the passengers of the German hatchback managed to escape through the rear window. No word if anyone was injured or not in this bizarre accident.









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Source: drugasmuga , Via: Englishrussia

Nürburgring: Audi RS3 Mule First Spy Photos


According to a recent report, Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board of management for technical development has stated that the company is considering building a new RS3 – and here’s the first pictures that prove the car is in fact rolling. We snapped a mule of Audi’s future pocket-rocket testing at the Nürburgring.


First unveiled in the upcoming TT-RS, the RS3's 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine utilises a turbo to force out 250kW (340hp) and 450Nm of torque through the quattro AWD system. Anticipating that the RS3's weight will be almost the same as the TT-RS, we think it's safe to use the TT-RS's performance specs as the standard of comparisson here. The 0 - 100km/h dash should be achieved in about 4.6 seconds and an optional unlimited top speed will be 280 km/h (173.98 mph). This kind of performance is approaching RS4 territory but at a considerably lower price.


The car spotted has S3 badges, but we can already see larger air intakes in the front bumper.

Power will very likely come from Audi’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine, that develops 340 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque.

Same engine is under the new TT RS. We expect RS3 to hit 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in around 4.6 seconds while the top speed is around 288 km/h (179 mph)

Stay tuned, as we will be seeing more test mules with new details in the near future.
via:evo.co.uk



Other article:
Upcoming Audi RS3 powered by the turbo engine found on TT-RS
Driven: 2009 Audi S5 vs. 1985 Audi Ur quattro
Audi to be Featured Marque at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Rumormill: Audi TT RS, RS5 coming Stateside

Hyundai Concept Car with Gullwing Doors Scooped ahead of NY Show

As a rule, scoops come from professionals but once in a while, the goddess of luck smiles to ordinary readers such as Aaron who was fortunate enough to be in the right place, at the right time. The Autoblog reader snapped what is said to be a new Hyundai prototype model, parked on the road. In two of the shots, we get the chance to see the concept study's gullwing doors in action. We don't have any information on the prototype other than it will most likely make its world debut at the New York International Auto Show that runs from April 10 to 19.

Via: Autoblog.com




My Two Dents on BMW's Fuzzy Logic Model Range

BMW's latest releases are a Family Guy episode on four wheels. If anyone has seen the episode of South Park parodying Family Guy's plot developments, you'll know what I mean; it's manatees in a tank fetching random idea balls and throwing them together. The manufacturer of vehicles touted as the "Ultimate Driving Machine" has gone off the deep end. People thought Mercedes was doing the same when they made the CLS for style-conscious consumers; Mercedes had the last laugh, though, walking away having created a totally new market. Will BMW have the same success? Me thinks not.

BMW, in a poor attempt to emulate Mercedes, has strayed from the beaten path in an attempt to capitalize on original ideas. The last few attempts by the Bavarians make me wonder exactly how much money they have in order to waste so much on ugly, redundant products in these trying times.

Take, for example their sport utility (oh, I'm sorry, activity) lineup. God forbid buyers confuse these vehicles with something having utility. Other than the X5, these vehicles are highly questionable. Large and midsize SAVs; ok, I understand these markets exist. "Slightly-smaller-than-midsize" and "coupe"; you lost me.

While the X5 and X3 move up in size, apparently a "slightly smaller than midsize" SAV is needed to fill the gap left by the hardly successful X3. The upcoming X1 (basically a less manly version of the X3, if that's possible) is a "Sport Activity Vehicle in the premium compact segment". Jesus, now they're just making things up. Premium Compact Sport Activity Vehicles? Let's just call it what it is: pointless, and fugly to boot.

What about the X6? It's a Sports Activity Coupe. That doesn't even start to make sense, considering the fact that it's a four-door SUV. What do you get for your $55,900 entry price? Room for four, minimal cargo space, and a cramping roofline, not to mention one ugly mother. What's worse, Acura (in yet another attempt to reach top-tier status) has decided to copy it. I'll chalk that one up as a wasted effort, guys.

What is the X6's purpose? Well, no doubt it'll do a great job of rubbing pointless excess in everyone's face, but that's about all. I recall one commenter on the web thanking BMW for creating a new class of douche with the X6. Nail on the head, sir, nail on the head.

And BMW's cars? Well, time was BMW sedans could do no wrong. Alas, ladies and gentlemen, you must not have noticed the latest eyesore brought about by dropping the X6 a few centimeters: the 5-Series GT. The only nifty part about the whole shebang is the rear hatch; that's where it ends. The GT is apparently targeting the three people who want a sedan with just a little bit more space, but who don't want to go all out for the wagon for fear they might appear too practical.

All is not lost, though. At least most of the cars and car concepts in BMW's future look promising. The 7 has gotten some of its elegance back and the new Z4 is a looker. Then we have the latest rumor of the Z2, which makes green look damn sexy. If BMW keeps up with ideas like this, perhaps I can look past the absurdity of their utility-lacking activity vehicles.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel since he was a wee lad. He currently resides a stone's throw from Japan's international airport in Narita. All of this can be seen on Facebook, so check it out. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded.

Chevrolet Captiva Videos



Exterior view with the sporty and dynamic appearance Captiva'nın Sports sub-cover, the mirror can be folded and 18 "alloy wheels complete the look as strong.

Captiva 5 and 7 seats as internal hardware option is offered. This is a great advantage for large families. Even more than the 7 seat option in the price does not change. Also 2 different hardware level Captiva LT LT Medium and High options to the customer is presented with style and comfort. A nice view of the car in the sun light is green phosphorous. Leather seats and steering wheel offers customers a high comfort.

Vehicle noise level is too low. Stop your vehicle is waiting at a red light may think. Adequate viewing angle and the mirror. Using this tool instead of a long journey to the hotel if you might want to sleep in the car.

Volume 1991 cc 150 hp engine power and maximum torque is 320 nm. 0-100 km / h 12.4 seconds to accelerate the Captiva completed 100 km 11 lt. fuel is consumed. In normal use the front drive wheels to the back of the Captiva is needed to transmit power.

Photo Galleria: Alfa Romeo's Turbocharged 159 1750 TBi

At the recent Geneva Salon, Alfa Romeo introduced a new 1.75-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine for its 159 sports saloon and Sportwagon models that adopt the same designation as one of the most well known sedans ever made by the Italian firm, the 1750 Berlina that was launched in the late 1960s. With the new engine that develops 200HP, the front-wheel drive 159 1750 TBi accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.7 while its top speed is 235km/h or 146mph. If you follow the jump, you can check out the new, wallpaper-sized gallery of the 159 1750 TBi as well as photos of its equally seductive 1960s predecessor, the 1750 Berlina.