LA Show: 2008 Saturn Vue

Here we have the Opel Antara, oops. No. What I meant was the brand new never seen before, never existed, totally just born Saturn Vue. But like the naughty children that we are, let us remind you that the Opel Antara, like its Chevrolet (Europe) cousin Captiva, was conceived, engineered, designed and also made, in Korea by GM’s subsidiary Daewoo (Winstorm)! So much for Saturn’s attempt to create a European inspired image for the Vue... Still, you have to admit its pretty good looking.

The Euro / American / Korean -call it what you want, inspired Saturn Vue will be available in the second quarter of 2007 as a 2008 model. These are the available versions: the XE FWD and Vue Green Line models are equipped with a 165 Hp 4cylinder 2.4L engine which is mated to the a 4speed auto box. A 5speed manual will be available on 4cylinder Vue XE models in early 2008.

All-wheel-drive Vue XE models come equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine, delivering 215 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 220 lb.-ft. (304 Nm) of torque at 2,800 rpm. Vue XR and Vue Red Line, are powered by GM’s 3.6L V6 VVT that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. (329 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Vue models equipped with V6 engines receive the new Hydra-Matic 6speed automatic transmissions.

Saturn also confirmed that it will continue to offer the Green Line hybrid version of the Vue, beginning later in the 2008 model year.

Technorati: Saturn+Vue, SUV, Opel+Antara, Chevrolet+Captiva, Daewoo, 2008, Hybrids, Los+Angeles, LA+Auto+Show, 2006, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, images, pictures, Carscoop

Mitsubishi

car_portal_pic_24519, originally uploaded by ThePrince.

Mercedes SL 55 AMG

Mercedes SL 55 AMG, originally uploaded by CUML.

LA Show: Lotus Sport Exige Cup 252Hp

Gentlemen, start your engines as Lotus unveiled the US spec version of the Sport Exige Cup at the LA Auto Show. This track-ready edition of the Exige features an upgraded version of the stock (supercharged) engine that now produces 252 hp at 8000 rpm (from 243) and a torque figure of approximately 179 lb-ft, at 7000 rpm. Of course, suspension, tires and brakes have also been upgraded. Weight has been kept to 1800 pounds through the use of lightweight materials and the eradication of all non-essential components such roof trim, carpets,front mudflaps, central locking and bulkhead trim.

According to Lotus, these enchantments are good enough to give a 0 to 60mph (97 km/h) time of just under 3,9 sec and a 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) time in less that 9,8 sec. Top speed is close to 160 mph (257 km/h).

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup is also equipped with the usual safety equipment that is expected for a track car with 6-point seat belt harness on the driver’s side (with an FIA approved Recaro / Lotus Sport seat) – there is no passenger seat. The full roll cage is SCCA compliant and completing the additional safety equipment is a mechanical ignition kill switch with cockpit and external activation and a plumbed electrical fire suppression system, again with cockpit and external activation.

Sounds perfect to me, the only thing left is to ask my boss for a couple days a month off and of course, a "small raise to hand over $84,990 (plus options, delivery and taxes) to Lotus…

Technorati: Lotus+Sport+Exige+Cup, LA+Auto+Show, Los+Angeles, motor+show, 2006, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

Hummer "hammers" a School Bus!

In terms of a vehicle, is bigger necessarily safer? I guess it depends on how fast you’re driving and what you hit. But size really didn’t matter in this case when a H2 SUT crashed into a school bus completely eating away at the 3 ton Hummer. One person was injured and luckily there were no children in the school bus. The driver of the Hummer had to be extricated (alive but injured) from the bent steel. Some fender bender... Via: Motorpasion

Technorati: Hummer+H2, Hummer, GM, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

LA Show: 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster

Lambo’s top spec fighting bull, the Murcielago LP640 has just got its top blown off as the Italian company added a Roadster version to the line up. The Murcielago LP640 Roadster receives the same 6.5 litre V12 engine as the LP640 coupe wears producing 640 hp (471 kW) at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 660 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Sales are expected to start early 2007.

Technorati: Lamborghini+Murcielago+LP640+Roadster, 2008, LA+Auto+Show, Los+Angeles, motor+show, 2006, tune, tuning, news, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

LA Show: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Nissan just came out with the first official pics of its “poor-mans” Infinit G35 Coupe, the 2007 Altima Coupe. Though it shares much with the latest Altima Sedan, judging from the photos, the Coupe’s smaller dimensions and unique styling elements help create a sporty profile.

Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, 4.0 inches shorter than the Sedan. Overall length is 182.5 inches – 7.1 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.3 inches it is 2.5 inches shorter than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels, grille, headlights and rear combination lights unique to the Altima Coupe.

The front-wheel-drive Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. A 3.5-liter V6 which is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and a smaller, 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Both are available with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions. The 2008 Altima Coupe will go on sale next summer.

Technorati: Nissan+Altima+Coupe, 2008, LA+Auto+Show, Los+Angeles, motor+show, 2006, tune, tuning, news, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop