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320-hp, twin-turbo Opel Insignia spied
General Motors\’ Opel division has been hard at work on a performance version of its hot new Insignia, the reigning European Car of the Year, and the first spy shot – probably snapped on someone\’s camera phone – has surfaced online. To be sold as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR in the UK and as the Opel Insignia OPC in Europe, the car is reported to have lapped the vaunted N?rburgring Nordschleife in a hair over eight minutes, which is a blistering fast time for a relatively large hatch.
The hot Insignia evidently wears big 20-inch wheels with concave dark spokes and chrome accents, wrapped in 255/35 R20 rubber and capped by bulging wheel arches. All four contact patches are in use to put down the anticipate 320 horsepower from the twin-turbo V6, while big air vents borrowed from the sharp-lookin\’ Opel GTC Concept help the drivetrain get the… Read the rest of this entry
U.S.-bound 2011 Volkswagen Polo headed to Geneva
Volkswagen\’s continuing push into the U.S. market could be called Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. \”New\” would be the coming mid-sized sedan, \”borrowed\” would be the Routan, \”blue\” would be BlueSport, and \”old\” would be the VW Polo. The version of the Polo we\’ll be getting in 2011 is expected to be at this year\’s Geneva Motor Show. Since it is coming to the U.S. and VW will need to convert American buyer to the idea of a supermini, we are looking for it to be a beautiful leap forward over the current MkV.
Gallery:Volkswagen Polo
[Source: AutoWeek]
Wiesmann celebrates with special edition MF4-S
Automakers don\’t celebrate birthdays like the rest of us. While we might blow out some candles and down a few beers with our friends, carmakers occasionally make special editions of their best offerings. And when it\’s a niche automaker like Wiesmann, you know you\’re going to want one.
Founded in 1985 by brothers Martin, an engineer, and Friedhelm, a businessman, Wiesmann got its start building hardtops for convertibles. In 2006, however, the Brothers Wiesmann came out with their own vehicle curvaceous and retro-tastic coupe and roadster. We can\’t figure what occasion they started counting from, but the company is now celebrating their 20th anniversary with a series of special editions, starting with this GT MF4-S.
Power comes from a 4.8-liter V8 derived from the BMW M3\’s and… Read the rest of this entry
Astra goes away for 2009
With plenty of dealer stock on-hand for the slow-moving Opel-based hatch, General Motors has simply decided to sell through their existing inventory of 2008s instead of creating a parking lot with additional 2009 model year stock. We spoke with Steve Janisse, group manager for Saturn communications this morning, and he confirmed that while there will be no 2009 model, a 2010 is scheduled and on track for a spring roll-out. Given this unfortunate economic environment and GM\’s rude health, of course, we\’ll wait to \”call the ball\” until 2010s are on dealer forecourts. In any case, no major changes are planned for the 2010 model, although minor items like the availability of new paint colors are expected.
Until then, Astra prospectives can still kit out a 2008 model of the tidy-handling hatchback on Saturn\’s website and probably get a solid deal on what they are looking for through… Read the rest of this entry
Next Mercedes SLK to spawn gullwing hybrid variant?
The Mercedes-Benz SL range is growing. For years just a solitary model, the mainstay roadster has since spawned the smaller SLK, the fixed-roof Black Series and the McLaren SLR (in its many iterations). Slated to be replaced by the SLC supercar and supplemented by a new baby SLA, new reports indicate that with the next SLK on its way, a compact roadster could gain a gullwing hybrid variant as well.
While the two elements would seem unrelated, Mercedes engineers are reportedly set on using the classic SL door configuration as a space-saving, access-enabling solution. The battery packs for the electric motors are earmarked to sit in the door sills, leaving reduced space for entry and exit that could be alleviated by the use of the top-hinged gullwing doors that appeared on the original 300SL – the very same door type that is earmarked to appear on the new range-topping SLC.… Read the rest of this entry
Bentley to stop building cars for six weeks
As expected, Bentley will be forced to slow production of its high-end luxury cars for several weeks over the next few months. According to Bentley\’s U.S. spokesman David Reuter, the newer Continental line will shut down for a period of seven weeks, while the slightly more mature Arnage production line will go on hiatus for six weeks. Over the course of 2008, sales dropped by roughly 30%, leading Bentley\’s factory in Crewe to cut production by about 15% and things aren\’t expected to improve in 2009. Regardless, Bentley\’s German ownership isn\’t yanking development dollars from the British brand, so any new products that were slated for introduction in 2009 are still on schedule.
Gallery:2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed
[Source: Inside Line]
UK gives 2.3B to domestic auto industry
When the U.S. domestic auto industry asked its government for billions of dollars in loans, it made world-wide news. Many other foreign nations have pitched in with funding for their own industries, as well. The UK has just gotten in on the act by promising ?2.3 billion for the cause, with ?1 billion in direct government loans and another ?1.3 billion from the European Investment Bank. The UK government is promising its citizens that the loans are \”no blank check\” for the ailing industry. Hmm.. where have we heard that before? The British government deemed its auto industry worth saving, mentioning that up to one million citizens count on auto jobs for income. Similar to the U.S. loan deal, the British government is looking to develop a national strategy for greener, cleaner motoring.
?2.3 billion sounds like a lot of cash (about $3.2 billion USD), but some industry insiders… Read the rest of this entry
Spy Shots: updated Range Rover Sport to join facelifted, Jag-engined Landies
Reports indicate that Land Rover is planning to facelift nearly its entire range later this year, including refreshed versions of the LR3, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Spy shots of the latter\’s test mules indicate that the updated luxury off-roaders will be distinguished by modest revisions to the bumpers, grille and headlamps, in addition to refreshed interiors.
The juicy news, however, is under the bonnet, where sources suggest the latest Jaguar engines will find their new home. In addition to Jaguar\’s 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that is already confirmed to migrate to the Land Rovers, reports now indicate that the XF\’s 5.0-liter V8 will feature in the update SUVs, including a torque-tuned take on the supercharged version from the XFR for the most powerful Range Rovers. Considering that the engine propelled the XFR to a top speed of 225 mph at Bonneville, we could be looking at one wickedly fast… Read the rest of this entry
Toyota Recalls 134,900 Yaris in the States
Approximately 134,900 Yaris vehicles are being recalled in the U.S. over a seat belt pretensioner issue. On 2006 through 2007 model year Yaris, the Japanese automaker determined that the driver\’s and front passenger\’s seat belt pretensioner deployment could affect the sound insulating foam in the center pillar, after a collision. Toyota said that it will begin informing owners of the affected models from early February. According to Toyota, the repair will take approximately one hour, depending on the dealer\’s workload.
2009 Renault Megane Coupe RS with 250HP to bow in Geneva
Renault\’s super-hot performance version of the new Megane Coupe that was unleashed at last year\’s Paris Show will break cover in Geneva on March 3. The Megane Coupe RenaultSport (RS), will be equipped with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as the most powerful version of the current Megane RS, the limited edition R26, but according to Carscoop\’s sources, the French firm\’s engineers have performed several upgrades boosting output from 230HP to 250HP. That\’s 40HP more than the new VW Golf GTI, 25HP more than the Ford Focus ST and 10HP more than the Opel Astra OPC which are the RS\’s chief rivals.
Power will be transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, while the Megane Coupe\’s chassis and suspension will be enhanced. A limited-slip differential will also be offered as an option on the standard… Read the rest of this entry
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