BMW officially announced the fourth generation of it’s highly competitive M3 series. Set to be released next year, the new BMW M3 is the first M3 to be powered by a 4-liter V8 engine which produces 420 hp and has a peak torque of 400 Nm at 8400 rpm. This engine takes the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The design is sporty, the only things the BMW M3 has in common with the 3-series being the two doors, the bootlid, the windows, the headlights and rear lights. Everything else has been modified, the new M3 having two air intake openings, the function-oriented design of the front and rear air dams, the “gills” in the front side panels, the side-sills also in distinctive design, the roof made of clearly visible carbon fiber, as well as the exterior mirrors and light-alloy wheels
The interior is also special, with double circular instruments with white lighting and red needles, the M leather steering wheel and the newly designed center console. The door cutout trim with the M logo, the support for the driver’s left foot made of brushed metal, the special design and color of the inner door panels, as well as the trim strip made of high-quality. Materials used for the interior of the new BMW M3 are high-quality, such as leather in carbon design or aluminum and underline the supreme and truly unique position of the new BMW M3. Click more to see more pics and also a video with the new M3. Read More: “The New BMW M3”
Ever dreamed of a Maserati belt, umbrella or, I don’t know, a fluffy Maserati bathrobe? I know I didn’t! But if you did, hooray….now you can get it because the Maserati Store is now online.
Some other stuff you can get there are Maserati shorts, T-shirts, keychains, scale aluminum cars and remote controlled Quattroporte. Read More: “Maserati Store Now Online”
These tuner guys are maniacs. Some of us still haven’t seen some of the cars on the street or in a showroom and tuned up version are launched. However, the latest example, the recently launched Audi R8 is special. Why is that? Well, this new version, modified by Abt Sportsline has all chances to become a super car. Again, you might ask why? Because the Abt R8 will have a distinctive body kit, parts of which are fashioned from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, aggressive bumpers, new hood, widened air ducts behind the doors, a prominent fixed spoiler at the rear, and towering 20-inch wheels in Abt’s signature five-spoke design.
Enough? You might say yes…we did. But nooo, Abt said the standard 4.2-liter V8 engine 420 hp engine is not good enough, they supercharged it and they claim it will deliver 530 hp, take the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 317 km/h. That’s something. Read More: “530HP Audi R8 by Abt Sportsline”
…at least that what they claim, and it took us some specific details to see the differences. What about you, do you see it? Ok, we’ll be good guys and help you. The facelifted Volvo S40 now has a sharper nose and chrome framed grille with a 50% larger Volvo badge. It also sports new headlights with clear lenses and an enlarged single air intake plus a new tail light design that features LED highlights, new bumper and modified exhaust tip.
The Volvo V50, beside the front grille and the larger Volvo badge, now has a new grille and headlamp layout plus a distinctive three-part front air intake. In the back, the V50 feature slimmer tail light units that are equipped with LED brake lights, new boot handle, restyled bumper and modified exhaust pipes.
At the interior, both the Volvo S40 and the Volvo V50 got more storage spaces with larger cup holders and armrest storage bin. Other changes include modified instrument panels for the T5 and D5 models, Dynaudio speakers for the Premium Sound system, satellite navigation system. Read More: “Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 facelift”
At this year’s New York Auto Show, Honda will present the S2000 CR, which is a racer-inspired version of the popular Honda S2000. The Honda S2000 CR will be powered by the same 237Hp 2.2 VTEC engine and it will have a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
Even more importantly the race spec CR feautures aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity and weight reduction through the replacement of the soft-top with an aluminium hardtop (-90 pounds or 41kg) as well as the removal of options like A/C and the stereo system. If the stereo is not so important, I don’t know about the A/C (though it seems it will be on the optional list). More photos after the jump. Read More: “Honda S2000 CR Concept”
It’s been 40 years since the first Shelby “King of the Road” Mustang was released, and Ford and Shelby decided to celebrate this by presenting the new Shelby GT500KR. The Mustang will be powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts engine output to an estimated 540 hp.
Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Shelby GT500KR coupe comes with a custom carbon composite hood with scoops and stainless steel twist-down hood pins, a lower front air dam with chrome-trimmed functional brake ducts and large 14-inch Brembo front brakes. The suspension has been modified with an emphasis on race-inspired handling.
Drawing inspiration from the classic 1968 KR model, the Shelby GT500KR also features 40th Anniversary exterior badging, unique striping and a distinctive interior with Carroll Shelby-signature embroidered seats and a 40th Anniversary numbered dash plaque. Click for more pics. Read More: “2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR King Of The Road”
Despite its good looks, Chrysler Crossfire was never a best seller and it couldn’t attain the popularity its brother, the Mercedes SLK enjoyed. What could be the explanation for this? Well, probably the fact that it was based on the old generation SLK and in this market, of the small luxury roadsters it had some pretty good competitors, such as the BMW Z4, Audi TT and of course, the SLK. Things went really bad for the Crossfire after the new generation SLK was released and sales dropped even more.
First, the high performance SRT-6 range production was stopped and apparently the entire production will be stopped this summer. Too bad, because I think Crysler Crossfire was an alternative for the german cars(I can’t say better or worse, as I never drove one), and overall, it was an interesting car. But that’s it, life goes on. So long Crossfire! Read More: “Chrysler Crossfire Production Ends”
The German tuner Carlsson prepared a tuning package for the new Mercedes C-Class. The engine was modified and now produces 295 hp and presses maximum torque of 385Nm, which takes the Carlsson CK35 from 0 to 100 in 6 seconds and to a top speed of 270 km/h.
Other mods include a front apron, a diffuser-look apron at the rear, side moldings and rear spoiler, an electro-polished front grille, double-headlight units with fog and driving lights. The sport sedan also has lowered sport springs and 19in lightweight alloys. Read More: “Carlsson CK35 Tuning For The New Mercedes C-Class”
Here’s an interesting one. Idnes.cz presented a video of a car controlled through a mobile phone bluetooth application. The application is installed on a Nokia symbian phone and uses the navigation keys to control the car. I have to say this is pretty cool, can’t think of any situation where I could really use this, but still, its cool. View the video after the jump. Read More: “Remote Bluetooth Controlled Car”
Set to make it’s first appearance at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 could be a big hit for the German car maker. As these spy shots show, the new Porsche looks great and considering that it will probably be powered by the 500 hp turbocharged flat six engine and with a suspension setup similar to the Porsche 911 GT3, it is fair to say the Porsche 911 GT2 will be a pretty interesting choice. Read More: “2008 Porsche 911 GT2 Spy Shots”
Oh my God! What have they done to the Impreza? We’ve just seen the first pictures of the upcoming 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX and we’re still under shock. I mean we didn’t like the old one very much, but at least that one inspired power and aggressiveness. This one inspires…uhm…nothing. The new Impreza WRX will be powered by the slightly improved turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that will produce 225 hp.
Most certain, with this new Impreza WRX, Subaru will lose most of its fans but probably win new customers from those who like a conservative compact sedan and hatchback. Who wins? Overall, probably Subaru, because anyone can build a compact sedan, but few can make a great car like Impreza WRX used to be. And especially now, with Mitsubishi preparing the new awesome Evo X. Read More: “2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Unveiled”
A couple of weeks ago we told you about the Callaway C16 Convertible. Callaway released more photos of the cabrio, which will be officially presented this week in New York. View more photos after the jump. Read More: “Callaway C16 Convertible New Pics”
At the upcoming New York Auto Show, Infiniti will present the EX Concept equipped with a new parking assist technology, called Around View Monitor. The system uses four cameras placed in the grille, beneath both side view mirrors, and below the Infiniti badge on the concept’s rear hatch and is designed to help us with those difficult parkings.
Read More: “Infiniti “Around View Monitor” Assist Technology”
The Upcoming New York Auto Show will mark another premiere. Infiniti will present its next generation SUV, the Infiniti EX. The concept exceeds with its very interesting leather-lined interior, with aluminum trim, ambient lighting systems and unique liquid crystal glass roof panel that can switch from transparent to translucent at the touch of a button.
On the mechanical part we know that the Infiniti EX will be based on Nissan’s Front Midship (FM) platform and it seems it will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission. Due to the fact the car will also be available in Europe, we also expect Nissan to prepare a diesel engine.
Though it will be different from the concept, the production version of the Infiniti EX will probably be presented by the end of this year. Read More: “Infiniti EX Concept”
The new 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z, which makes its North American debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show is the fifth in the 2007 350Z Coupe lineup, is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only. It goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2007.
The sport coupe has got a special body package, improved handling equipment and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 306 horsepower at 6,800 rpm. As a sports car, the Nissan NISMO 350Z is fantastic, however its downside is quickly apparent when you take it on the street.
All the newfound chassis rigidity combined with the stiff-legged, track-ready suspension calibration and aggressive, low-profile Bridgestone RE-01R tires combines to deliver a harsh ride that’ll shake your fillings loose even on Japan’s magically smooth roads.
