Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Mitsubishi’s Ralliart division to cease business?

Should we cry for goodbye over Ralliart or is Mitsu’s divion just having a spring break?

Mitsubishi’s Ralliart is one of the more famous performance divisions, thanks to the brand’s rally winning exploits and the Lancer Evolution series’ cult following. So it’s sad news to hear that Ralliart is the latest to succumb to the changed environment the automotive world had to face ever since the global financial crisis hit. It is winding down operations.

“The business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc, would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010,” according to Ralliart Inc’s president Masao Taguchi, in a “farewell letter” to customers, which you can read for yourself after the jump.

Mitsubishi’s quit the WRC in 2005, and more recently abandoned its Dakar Rally exploits last year, including all rally raid events. Mitsubishi is the most successful manufacturer in the Dakar, with 12 wins in 26 appearances, including a record seven back-to-back victories from 2001 to 2007. With this latest development, Ralliart will no longer lend support to motorsport customers and privateers. Also put to a stop is the planning, development and selling of Ralliart products.

(more…)

2010 Chevy Aveo

2012 Chevrolet Aveo exterior

It took me some time and gazing to its front to actually make my eyes and brain understand it is NOT a Lancer. If it weren’t for that bowtie, it could easily pass as a Mitsu. But don’t be ashamed, GM, taking cues from the Lancer for your new Aveo is a good move! (Yes, I am a fanatic admirer of the Lancer Evo)

Judjing the pics, Chevy Aveo is getting the much-needed makeover both inside and outside. With a front end that stays true to the RS, along with a set of bulging fenders and an artfully carved swage line, the 2012 Aveo is a dramatic departure from the budget-conscious model roaming the streets today. (more…)

My precious: Infiniti G convertible. How precious?

infiniti g37 convertible

After the prices for Infiniti M sedan have been revealed, it’s time for the gorgeous convertible to announce how deep you should dig into your pockets to own a G37…Many may find the prices high, but there are lucky people who have a bottomless pocket and consider this amount as a daily allowance.

I’m talking about  $44,350 for the seven-speed automatic version, a $500 increase from last year. On sale now, the G37 Convertible Sport with six-speed manual is offered with new standard equipment, with a starting price of $46,950, up $3,050 from last year.

On the second year, the G37 Convertible is given a revised interior and upgraded entertainment and navigation systems, as well as power folding mirrors. Now included as standard equipment is last year’s Premium package, which has the Bose Open Air Sound System with 13 speakers and 2-GB Music Box, driver’s-seat memory and power lumbar support, climate-controlled front seats with cooling, power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and a rear sonar system.

Yes, it looks damn good, yes, it is an Infiniti convertible with a helluva lot of gadgets and yes, it is packed with latest tachnology stuff, but would you pay almost half 100K for it?!

Porsche 911 Turbo S: extra power

Porsche 911 Turbo S 

Most people think of a Porsche 911 Turbo as one of the fastest sportscar in the world but there is someone who believes that the road-runner can do better than that. Porsche staff believed him and so they will reveal 911 Turbo S at Geneva, a brilliant four-wheeled “cheetah” powered by a 523bhp engine that delivers 516lb ft of torque. (more…)

GM promises Rear-Wheel Drive Hybrids

general motors

General Motors has big plans for the future, like becoming the first major automaker in the U.S. to design and manufacture its own electric motors for future hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, as it announced it was expanding its in-house electric vehicle development capabilities. (more…)

The new face (and beneath) of BMW X5

2011 BMW X5 facelift

A new year calls for new models or old models’ tweaking, be it to the exterior, to the engine or both. And if we’re talking about BMW, we couldn’t expect anything but cool modifications to the looks and even better engines than the ones they provide currently.

Thus, BMW unveiled the new X5 SUV. At the exterior the new X5 gets larger side air intakes at the front and an increased proportion of surfaces painted in body color, reshaped rear bumper and the tailpipe surrounds, dual round headlamps with optional Xenon lights, fitted with LED corona. (more…)

Impreza to impress at Geneva

Subaru Outback Sport

Subaru couldn’t just stay aside and watch the other carmakers show off their perfect 2010 rides. It’s just not Subaru style. So it announced its presence at Geneva Motor Show with the impressive Impreza XV crossover. Impressive by looks and by that divine horizontally-opposed boxer engine. Still, they are very discreet about pictures, but from what I’ve read in the press release, it’s gonna be sorta European-only Outback Sport. A unique grille, wheel arches and roof rails visually set the VX apart from standard Imprezas. What makes it apart from many other cars, however, is that “delicious” boxer engine which will motivate this Impreza crossover, with a choice of 2.0-liter boxer-fours, fueled by either gasoline or diesel. The Impreza VX goes on sale in Europe this summer.

And what else couldn’t miss from a motor show but a hybrid? Subaru introduces Hybrid Tourer Concept that we first saw at Tokyo last fall, as well as the plug-in Stella…still, I can’t take my mind off of the boxer engine.

Press release after the jump. (more…)

Focus RS Club and hybrid RS

 

Nothing else to add to “Focus RS Club”. No adjective can properly describe this  hatch. It would take a whole 1000-something-word essay to cover all the good things about Ford’s goodie.

Moreover, Ford is on the verge of launching an even hotter version of RS, namely RS Clubsport, as well as an all new RS model based on the next generation Ford Focus that was unveiled in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. (more…)

Leaked images of Mitsubishi RVR interior

Mitsubishi RVR interior photo

A couple of weeks ago we presented Mitsubishi crossover RVR that will be revealed at Geneva next month, but there were no images of the interior. But as the internet is the land of all possibilities, leaked images are hovering these days across the virtual space.

Though very much awaited, the RVR does not come with very impressive modification compared to its predecessors as to the interior. Still, not many details have been yet revealed. We’re not sure even about the name as the RVR or ASX is likely to get a new nameplate for the North American market. (more…)

Sticking pedal mania affects Peugeot-Citroën

peugeot 107

At first, I thought Toyota’s recall over acceleration sticking pedal would affect the limited 8 models of Toyota, they would change the pedals, end of story. But apparently, the problem is much wider, affecting car makers you would never think could have any relationship with Toyota or their pedal issue. (more…)

Worldwide recall for Honda Jazz switch defect

Honda Jazz

After all the flurry with Toyota’s sticking pedal and their recall for 8 models worldwide, it’s time for Honda to join the club and recall Jazz over a power switch defect that could cause a fire, by allowing water to enter the power window switch. A total of 646,000 cars will be called in globally to fix this switch defect. This includes Jazz/Fit models built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. To these figures, Honda includes also 27,000 City models in Asia.

However, there is good news in all this nuisance: Honda Siel Cars India said that India will not be a part of the global vehicle recall, because the Jazz that is being sold in India is a second generation vehicle, which is not a part of the global recall. The official said the Jazz that is being recalled globally is the previous generation model.

There have been reported three cases of fires due to the defect – two in the US and one in South Africa. The latter had a sad ending, as a two-year-old  girl was killed in Cape Town when the Jazz she was sleeping in caught fire.

BMW counts on simplicity: BMW X6 gets single turbo N55


BMW seems to take into account the saying that “less in more” and they have made some changes for their 2011 BMW X6, namely they simplified the engine. They traded in the twin-turbo N54 inline-six in this sport utility for the new twin-scroll single turbo N55 mill, just like it did in the new 5 Series. This move has some advantages like a stronger acceleration and increased efficiency, while also cutting weight from the engine bay. ZF’s eight speed automatic transmission will be available for both the X6 35i and X6 50i 2011 model year.

X6 is a good-looking thirsty animal anyhow, but when it undergoes favourable changes, the result can only make us pull off our hats.

Carlsson C25: Exquisite!

You are a carmaker of great success, you produce super sports cars and you are a legend among luxurious limousines…and you are getting bored. What to do? You walk around your room, twisting and turning your thumbs when…YOU GET THE IDEA! Tuned limited editions! It always works! ALWAYS! (more…)

2010 Shelby Mustang GT500: leaked info

Hottest and freshest info about hot and fresh 2010 Shelby Mustang has been revealed by a rattle dealer employee. The order guide gives us plenty of data, like the iron block that will be traded in for an aluminum one. Also,  HID lamps will be standard, the glass roof option will become available on coupes, the convertible gets equipped with the same 19-inch wheels as the hardtop, and there’s an optional SVT Performance Package. It adds a 3:73 rear axle ratio (3:55 is standard), package-specific shocks and springs, what sounds like a different stripe package, upgraded wheels and tires (19-inchers in front and 20-inchers in back), and a rear spoiler with Gurney flap.

Nothing but good news about the legendary muscle car, but we’ll have to wait a little longer, as it won’t be present neither at Chicago nor New York auto shows. However, it’s gonna worth every second of waiting. Stay tuned for further info.

SAAB goes to Spyker

Dunno if it’s a happy end for SAAB, but it is an end! After a while of negociations, GM shook hands with Dutch based carmaker Spyker and sold the Swedish manufaturer. It is, however, good news for the employees, customers and dealers worldwide.

IT’s sad that GM has to give up 2 of the top brands in its portofolio – Volvo and SAAB – but we could see the bright part in the joint between Spyker and SAAB, which is due for mid Ferbuary: the Dutch carmaker will add a line of more affordable vehicles to its current exclusive lineup and also, SAAB will benefit of new performance possiblities.

After all, it’s better to become Spyker-SAAB than scrap-SAAB.

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