Prodrive tunes Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin’s snazzy V8 Vantage has been officially pimped by Prodrive! Of course, don’t expect any 32’’ chromed rims and tri-colour body stripes. Prodrive’s range of parts include a performance pack for the engine; new driver-adjustable suspension; unique forged wheels; and a discreet aero package.

Beginning with the engine pack, Prodrive has tuned the 4.3 V8 to raise power from 380 Hp to 425 Hp and peak torque from 410 Nm (302 lbft) to 440 Nm (325 lbft). This reduces the car’s 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time from 5.0 sec to 4.7 sec and increases the top speed by 13 km/h to 293 km/h (182 mph). A new throttle map, combined with the increase in torque, also promises to make the engine more responsive throughout the rev range.

Prodrive has worked with Bilstein and Eibach, to develop a new, driver adjustable suspension. A switch in the cockpit allows the driver to choose between normal and sports mode. The V8 Vantage also receives special 14 spoke 19” forged alloys (same design as the one’s used on the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 racing car)made by Prodrive Japan, complete with Pirelli P-Zero tyres

Apart from the new alloys, Prodriven… V8 Vantage’s stand out thanks to discreet carbon composite front lip and trunk spoilers, which are in keeping with the Vantage’s classic styling. Together, these reduce lift by 45 per cent, improving both high speed stability and grip. The range of parts and prices will be available from early 2007.

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LA Show: Mazda Nagare Concept Video & Pics

Now this is a new one! Mazda describes the Nagare -pronounced “na-ga-reh” which is Japanese for ‘flow’ and the embodiment of motion, as “a concept of a concept.” In other words, it’s proportions and surface language will evolve in subsequent designs planned for presentation at future autoshows this season. So how long till we’ll see a concept version of the… Nagare concept? Well, sooner than you think, as Mazda’s new global design director, Laurens van den Acker stated that the Japanese company would debut two concepts, one in January at the Detroit Show and one in the Geneva Show in March.


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ESSEN Show: Nissan Qashqai by COBRA N+

Over at Europe’s SEMA equivalent, the Essen Motor Show in Germany, COBRA N+ premiered a series of accessories for the Nissan Qashqai, even though the latter hasn’t gone on sale yet.

The exterior bodykit includes chromed bumper add-ons, side chrome styling and what a “chromy” coincidence, a …chromed COBRA N+ stainless steel bumper grille and two -what did you expect... chromed tailpipes. The COBRA N+ program also includes custom-tailored tire/wheel combinations in 17- and 18-inch diameter. The largest possible version is the COBRA N+ CN12 wheel in size 8Jx18. In the interior the COBRA N+ product lineup adds individual highlights with aluminum foot pedals, various versions of shift knobs and stainless-steel sill plates with illuminated COBRA N+ logo. Via: Jalopnik

Related Links: Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Note MPV COBRA N+

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Essen Show: BMW X3 CC Dakar Rally

The Essen Motor Show is'nt only about weird prototypes and souped-up “beefenwagons’’ as BMW prooves. The Bavarian car-maker made the global premiere of it’s 2007 Dakar Rally vehicle. The car designated as X Raid BMW X3 CC wears a 2.9-litre 6-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 286 hp. Jutta Kleinschmidt (the winner in 2001), who will drive the X3 at the Dakar Rally 2007 (starting in Lisbon on January 6), stated: "I would like to get on the podium". Wow, that’s original…

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VW debuts R-Line sport packs for Golf, Touran, Passat & Touareg

S-Line in Ingolstadt, R-Line in Wolfsburg… geez, those folks over at VW Group are full of surprises’ aren’t they! So what’s the R-Line? Nothing more, nothing less than sporty exterior and interior equipment packages available for the Golf, Touran, Passat and Touareg models. Officialy presented at the Essen Show, the R-Line pack will first be coming out in Germany in 2007.

So far the letter “R” has exclusively stood for high-performance cars such as the Golf R32 (250 hp), or the new Passat R36 (300 hp). The idea behind it: all R line products take up on the characteristic design elements that also distinguish the Golf R32 or the Passat R36. Via: VW & Autoblog.nl

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Scooped: 2008 Mercedes GLK / MLK

Time to take a break from all that auto-buzz in the Los Angeles Auto Show and see what’s going around in other parts of the world. Our “kit-kat” breaks takes us to Sweden and in particular to the Swedish edition of Auto Motor & Sport which posted an excellent chop of Mercedes’s upcoming compact SUV which will be called MLK or GLK. The “chop” was based on pics from the camouflaged prototype which seems to lean more to the GL-Class than to the ML-Class in terms of design.

From what we’ve gathered, the production version of the GLK – MLK (call it what you want) will make its public debut in the September Frankfurt Motor Show but don’t be surprised if we see a near-to-production concept at the upcoming Detroit Show. Although details are scarce, the GLK – MLK will probably be available with a vast range of petrol an diesel engines that’ll include the upgraded 4cylinder 1.8 K with 184 Hp (as well the 143 Hp version), the 204Hp 2.5 V6, the 231 Hp 3.0 V6, the 272 Hp 3.5 V6, the 150 / 170 Hp 2.2 CDI, 190 / 224 Hp 3/0 CDI. Sales are expected to start in Europe late 2007 and in the US early 2008. Via: Automotorsport.se

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LA Show: Acura Advanced Sedan Concept

Ts, ts naughty, naughty! We’ve got to hand it to Acura for their creativity and originality in the design of the Advanced Sedan Concept which looks nothing like the Cadillac Sixteen Concept!

But then again, that’s just our opinion cause according to John Mendel, senior vice president, auto operations Acura, “the Advanced Sedan Concept illustrates Acura's commitment to modern design and cutting-edge style. With our advanced design team taking a significant role in shaping future vehicle design, we can expect upcoming products to reflect this progressive, forward-thinking styling." We’ll just leave you to decide.

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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

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.

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