Our colorful colleagues over at Jalopnik.com have managed to get their hands on what they claim is an official design sketch of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.
The long-awaited, often-advertised Peapod will be available for order on Earth Day, April 22. Coincidentally, the 22nd also is Administrative Assistant's Day. We expect to see a lot of greenies and maybe some secretaries tooling around in their $12,500 Peapods at no more than 25 miles an hour. While the Peapod prototype had clear driver and passenger doors that looked like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, the production version (shown above) of the neighborhood electric vehicle resembles George Jetson's Deux Chevaux. Company director and brand guru Peter E. Arnell, whose initials inspired the company's name, told Treehugger.com the car's appearance was inspired by "Japanese bullet trains, storm troopers from the film Star Wars, space helmets and turtles." There's also a very prominent "smile" to the car's grill, but what else would you expect from a man whose firm devised Pepsi's new logo with the Cheshire grin and laughably pretentious backstory? The feel-good vibe continues with a glance at the in-dash iPod (sold seperately). Edmunds says every trip concludes with a carbon-footprint analysis, while another app tells you exactly how much money you've saved by leaving the family truckster at home.
The first official photos of Opel's high-performance Insignia OPC are finally out in the open. The new sports sedan from GM's European unit that will be sold in the UK under the name Vauxhall Insignia VXR has been designed to compete against the likes of the Audi S4 and its ilk. However, it is expected that the Insignia OPC will be priced lower than most of its rivals. The top-grade Insignia comes with a specially modified version of GM's 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces a satisfying 325HP and 400Nm of torque channeled to all four wheels. Opel Insignia OPC - Vauxhall Insignia VXR CarscoopThe first ever four-wheel drive Opel OPC model also benefits from a new electronically controlled, rear limited slip differential (eLSD) which can transfer up to 40% of torque to whichever (rear) wheel has more grip. This is the same system that is used on the Saab 9-3 Turbo X. Four-wheel drive system and eLSD aside, Opel's engineers have also fiddled around with the Insignia's suspension system as well as with the brakes. Stopping power is now provided by a set of Brembo vented and cross drilled discs.
One look at the body of the Z2 and it apparent that many of the same design principals have carried over from it's slightly larger counterpart, the Z4. Many of the same components will also be shared between the Z2 and Z4, which will make the transition into full scale production much more efficient.
Back in June we reported that BMW might work on a new super luxury SUV supposed to be called X7. But now it looks like BMW will spend its time on more fuel efficient products. According to BMW CEO, Norbert Reithofer, there will be no big SUV, but instead there will be a hybrid version for both X6 and the new 7-Series. The 7 Hybrid will make its debut in the second half of 2009.
First rumors about the X7 started to surface three years ago. Back then was just a buzz, and that’s it. But now, company insiders revealed that BMW is working on a super luxury SUV. The future X7 will be built as a competitor for the Land Rover Range Rover. BMW is waiting to see what will happen with the US SUV market and after will decide the faith of the X7. If things won’t get better, probably the X7 may be canceled. Another important thing to know is that the X7 would only work if alternative fuels like hydrogen and hybrid technology become mainstream. Well, we will need to wait and see!
What Aussies have come to know as the Holden Statesman / Caprice or otherwise, the long wheelbase (luxury) version of the Commodore - Pontiac G8, is sold in the Middle East under the Chevrolet brand. For 2009, GM has upgraded the Chevrolet Caprice with an all-new six speed automatic transmission and while they were at it, they also improved specifications across the range.
While General Motors figures out its restructuring and financial situations, high-performance models are on the hold. However, according to a dealer posting on Corvette Forum, GM will offer 6 models of the Corvette in 2010, including a Grand Sport Coupe and Convertible. Ken Fichtner of Fichtner Chevrolet says that in 2010, GM will offer a Corvette coupe and convertible, a Z06 Corvette, a ZR1 model and a Corvette Grand Sport coupe and convertible.
And now - time to tease (depends on if you’re teased or not) with American cars from the other side of the world that will never come here. GM has updated the Chevrolet Caprice for the 2009 model year with new luxurious styling and a new 6L80E automatic transmission.
British sports car manufacturer Caterham has released a unique commemorative version of its Seven roadster dubbed the CDX to celebrate 15 years of running its specialized driving day program. Only 20 examples of the high-spec model will be built, each powered by a highly tuned 1.6L Ford sigma engine with 135hp. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox.
With all current hype on fuel efficiency of today's vehicles, some people don't realize how terrible fuel economy was on previous models. Here is a list of gas guzzlers from the 1970's to refresh your memory. 1. 1970-1973 Chrysler Imperial Average MPH - 10-16 Average gas price per gallon - $0.40 - $0.65 2. 1977-1979 Lincoln Mark V Average MPH - 3.5-7 Average gas price per gallon - $0.65 - $0.90 3. 1970-1979 Lincoln Continental Average MPH - 7-12 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.40 - $0.90 4. 1971-73 Buick Riviera Average MPH - 5-8 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.44 - $0.65 5. 1971-78 Oldsmobile Toronado Average MPH - 10-15 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.44 - $0.77 6. 1971-1978 Cadillac Eldorado Average MPH - 16-18 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.44 - $0.77 7. 1974-76 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Talisman Average MPH - 16-18 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.44 - $0.77 8. 1976-78 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham Average MPH - 14-17 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.59 - $0.77 9. 1976-79 Cadillac Seville Average MPH - 17-21 MPG Average gas price per gallon - $0.59 - $0.90
Citroen will revive its legendary DS badge for a new range of near-premium models, industry sources said. The French brand will unveil plans for the new DS range on Wednesday, when the carmaker launches a global rebranding campaign. A concept previewing the first DS-badged model, a DS3 small car, will debut at the Geneva motor show in March. The DS3 will go on sale in the first half of 2010.
DEARBORN, Mich., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EcoBoost engine technology, the hybrid system that led the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to best-in- class 41 highway mpg and Ford's aggressive electrification plan will be key topics of discussion during the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress on April 20-23. This year's conference theme: "Racing to Green Mobility."
Over the past two years, Ford has achieved significant improvements in vehicle quality, making its vehicles some of the best in the industry in terms of quality. Now that the domestic auto industry is in a slump, Ford isn’t taking any chances. The automaker has set an aggressive new target – best-in-class initial quality for compact cars the company will launch in North America by 2010.
In 2003, Ford commemorated two important landmarks in its History. Aside from being the 100th aniversary of its foundation, it also marked the 40th aniversary of the release of one of its most famous cars: the Ford GT, better-known simply as GT40. This coincidence was echoed by the presentation of a GT prototype that boasts high performances. Much like its predecessor, the new GT40 aims at beating Ferrari, on the road. In this case, the number in the acronym isn't related to its height, but to its age... Let's compare both models, 40 years apart.
The long-awaited, often-advertised Peapod will be available for order on Earth Day, April 22. Coincidentally, the 22nd also is Administrative Assistant’s Day. We expect to see a lot of greenies and maybe some secretaries tooling around in their $12,500 Peapods at no more than 25 miles an hour.
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