The hotest stuff on cars
31
Oct
It is, and ‘the 10’ stretches all the way from California to Florida. Hyundai has altogether different ideas for its i10, because this is their new city car.
It replaces the unloved Amica, and is the second Hyundai to get the ‘i’ tag, no doubt annoying Apple in the process.
Source: Hyundai i10
31
Oct
Not many words needed! Top Gear is the only car programme in the world who managed to test the Lamborghini Reventon, the ultra new supercar from Italy. Only twenty of them are going to be build, costing one million euros each. The Reventon is based on the LP640. Unfortunately none of them will come to the Netherlands.
Check the teaser! (it’s loads automatically)
31
Oct
Alex Nunez
Motorsports, Bentley, Lifestyle
Tonight, when you’re out and about chaperoning the kids as they try to obtain every last piece of Halloween candy in a 13-mile radius, you’re likely to see a number of costumes, ranging from the adorable to the completely scary. Automotive-related costumes are usually not something you see a lot of, save for maybe one of the Disney/Pixar Cars getups. Well, enthusiast dads can now dress Junior up in something a little more impressive. The Team Bentley play suit shown above is part of the automaker’s Autumn 2007 collection of lifestyle accessories. It’s available at the Bentley Collection online store for £55.28 (plus VAT and shipping), and it is fully awesome. We imagine the “trick or treat” dialogue with the neighbors going something like this:
Kid: “Trick or treat!”
Neighbor: “Whoa! Look at that. And who are you?”
Kid: “I’m Tom Kristensen!”
If your neighbors know who Tom Kristensen is, you clearly have cool neighbors. If they know that your kid is actually dressed as Tom K. circa 2003, we want to know if there are any houses available where you live.
[Source: Bentley Collection]
PRESS RELEASE:
Autumn Winter 2007 Bentley Collection
Autumn Winter 2007 represents a landmark for the Bentley Collection and we are delighted to present our new range in time for the busy holiday gift-giving period. For the first time, we have introduced a Children’s gift and clothing range. In addition, we are continuing to grow the product range aimed at women, and we have also developed a set of unique gift items.
For budding young drivers, the Children’s Collection offers a first foray into Bentley’s special brand of magic. Our Team Bentley Play Suit is a replica of the suit worn by Bentley’s Le Mans-winning pit crew, complete with Team Bentley logos – a must-have for racing fans. Our new super-soft fleeces, with Bentley zips and embroidered logos, polo shirts of pique cotton, and our T-shirt with the classic green ‘Bentley Blower’ logo image across the back are guaranteed to be favourite gifts in any Christmas stocking. A lightweight cotton baseball cap with silver thread logo completes the range.
The superlative quality of the Bentley Collection makes the 2007 range truly special. A stellar new offering is our new ladies’ and gentlemen’s travel robe, made to order in a pure cashmere/cotton mix with a pure silk lining and discreet Bentley ‘B’. This hand-stitched robe will turn any journey into a grand tour and bring a touch of home to any hotel room.
Our cashmere stoles, baby gift items and travel sets are produced in the English Pennines region, where wonderfully light yet warm and soft yarns are woven by hand on looms which make cashmere goods for some of the world’s leading fashion houses. Cashmere is one of the world’s most luxurious fabrics and ours is made in an area of soft-water rivers which still feed the factory after 150 years of production.
Our leather items are similarly sourced for their fine quality. Ettinger is a family-owned luxury leather goods and accessories company and has crafted our new leather note books, envelope folio and small travel photo frame, unique to Bentley and designed in association with the company.
Every Ettinger item – including leather travel wallets, luggage tags, coat wallets, credit card cases, business card cases and ladies’ purses - is hand-made across six individual stages, in the UK. Ettinger is one of only a handful of remaining British luxury leather goods companies and is also a Royal Warrant holder for His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.
Another family company which has contributed to this exclusive Collection is Dents, whose history dates back to 1777. It has been hand-stitching the finest leather gloves for more than 200 years. All the gloves in the Collection are designed in association with Bentley and finished with our iconic “B” metal fastening (also applied to Ettinger leather goods). The gloves are hand-stitched in England, using the finest leather and cashmere lining, where applicable. The gloves also feature unique cross-stitching, carried over from the interior of our cars.
An iconic item in our silk range is the Birkin Spot, which refers to the blue and white spotted handkerchief that Tim Birkin wore around his neck when racing in the glorious era of the ‘Bentley Boys’. The quality of silk used for all the Birkin accessories is the finest foulard, hand-woven and processed in one of England’s only remaining silk mills, in Cheshire, just 30 minutes away from Bentley’s own Crewe factory. Even the blue dye used for the Birkin accessories is a unique mix named ‘Bentley Blue’. The tie and both scarves are a more luxurious longer length than standard, with the tie measuring 1520mm, the reversible scarf measuring 1840 mm and the tubular scarf measuring 1880 mm.
For ‘Pure Bentley’ lovers our latest luxury wood and silver items are true collectables. Hand-made by Anthony Holt, one of England’s most renowned silversmiths and craftsmen, each of the wood and silver ‘Pure Bentley’ items are individually made to a customer’s orders.
Using the finest solid walnut and burr walnut veneers, each wood item is subtly branded with the winged ‘B’ logo, which is set within the veneer to give a flat surface. The Watch box, Jewellery chest and Humidor use book-matched walnut veneer and are finished with ebony beading. Every piece is hand-crafted, hand-lacquered and hand-polished in England.
The sterling silver ‘Blower’ and ‘Baby Blower’ models are highly detailed and include moving parts. Both models carry the Bentley silver hallmark, as registered with the Sheffield Assay Office in England, together with the traditional precious metal hallmarks.
Please note that all items will be available from the Collections site from 1st November.
31
Oct
Toyota unveiled the all-new second-generation Matrix at a press conference today at the SEMA auto show. Toyota says the 2009 model will hit Toyota dealerships in February 2008. We've got a complete photo gallery of the production car, plus images of the special-edition SEMA model.
Matrix will be available in three grades – Standard, S and the XRS. And Matrix will offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) with the S grade. The 2009 Matrix offers the choice of two different engines, a five-speed manual transmission, and either four- or five-speed automatic transmissions.
A 16-valve, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine will produce 132 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine will feature Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts that helps it achieve outstanding performance and economy. Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 26/32 city/highway mpg for manual transmission models and 25/31 for the automatic transmission model powered by a 1.8-liter engine.
For those who want a bit more horsepower and torque, the Matrix offers a 16-valve DOHC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i that will produce 158 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Matrix models powered by the 2.4-liter engine with five-speed automatic transmission will have an estimated EPA fuel economy of 21/29 city/highway mpg.
The Matrix’s base wheel is a 16-inch steel unit with a six-spoke full wheel cover. A distinctive 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheel will be available for the S grade, and an 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel with a twin five-spoke design will come standard on the XRS grade.
Safety
Dual-stage SRS airbags will be standard for the driver and front passenger. Front seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags and front active headrests are also standard.
Brake performance will be improved with standard front and rear disc brakes on all Matrix grades. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) are also standard. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with TRAC and off switch will be standard on XRS and available as an option on all other models.
More standard features
Base equipment on all Matrix models include power color-keyed outside rearview mirrors, power steering, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, daytime running lights, heavy duty rear window defogger, intermittent windshield wipers, 12-volt power outlet, four cupholders, auxiliary audio input jack, front center console box and an engine immobilizer.
The S grade adds standard power door locks and windows with one-touch down driver-side, 115-volt power outlet, cruise control, intermittent rear window wiper, fold-flat front passenger seat, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD with MP3 capability and six speakers, front and rear underbody spoilers and fog lamps.
In addition to these features, the XRS grade features standard P215/45 R18 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels, sport strut tower brace, VSC with TRAC and off switch, and a three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio steering wheel controls.
XRS models come standard with a leather-trimmed steering wheel that also includes spoke-mounted audio controls and hands-free Bluetooth capability when equipped.
Options
In addition to the standard equipment, a list of optional comfort and utility features are available. Options will include an AM/FM/CD with six-speaker system with DVD navigation with XM NavTraffic capability, alloy wheels, power heated outside rearview mirror, intermittent rear window wiper, cruise control, power door locks, power windows, and remote keyless entry.
Production Model
SEMA Edition
Source: 2009 Toyota Matrix breaks cover
31
Oct
The New South Wales Road & Transport Authority’s (RTA) ‘if you drive a performance car than you have a small penis ‘campaign has finally driven a motorist mad.
Back in August, a female driver made the “small penis” hand gesture to Simon Jardak who was so enraged that he throw a bottle at the woman’s car!
Don’t remember the ad? Here it is again.
Interestingly, residing Magistrate Bill Bryden told Mr Simon the hand gesture was not appropriate, but obviously it was not an excuse to throw a bottle out of his window.
“I’m not saying in any way that (the hand gesture) was justified, (but) too often we see people who are reckless with their actions” Mr Bryden said.
During our testing of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage in Sydney, we encountered countless motorists seemingly giving us the pinky because we were in a car that embodied power, beauty and soul (and perhaps a lot of noise). Although for every wannabe-Greenpeace driver in a Prius, many others gave us the nod of approval.
Unfortunately, the RTA believes the campaign has been so successful that it is bound to stick around for a while yet.
Source: RTA ‘Causes’ Road Rage
31
Oct
Well spotted. This achingly beautiful Mustang was the most intriguing car on Ford’s SEMA show stand. The profile may look 1967 ‘Stang, but key panels – such as the bonnet and rear end – are an all-new design. For this car, called the Flashback, is a hybrid mix of ’60s and noughties style, and contemporary mechanicals.
It’s a fascinating story. Ford has licensed a company called Dynacorn to manufacture replica bodyshells of the 1967 Mustang - indeed, a replica ‘67 GT sat alongside the Flashback on the stand. Customers can then kit out the body with the latest Mustang mechanicals (although the live rear axle arguably still feels like a refugee from the swinging sixties).
So the Flashback runs the 2007 Shelby Cobra Mustang’s supercharged 5.4-litre V8, kicking out 600hp. No ’60s Mustang could dream of producing such grunt, or channel it to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission, or have six piston brake callipers clamping the discs behind 18-inch wheels. Modern air conditioning and electronics complete the package.
Source: Ford Mustang Flashback
31
Oct
Jonathon Ramsey
Concept Cars, SEMA, Convertibles, Coupes, Chrysler
click above image to view more high-res pics of the Chrysler SR 392 Roadster
A throwback Chrysler roadster with an old school 8-cylinder engine. It’s not the Plymouth Prowler done right redux, it’s the Chrysler SR 392 Roadster. The 6.4-liter motor hides in a steel body that is go-cart low. That crate engine, celebrating the original 392 Hemi, works in three flavors: with carbs and something like 540 HP, fuel injected for 525 HP, and with a long block. The chromed grill is extremely well done, and the suspension jewelry is heavenly to look at. While we’re sure about the power, we’re not so sure about driving it at speed on those throwback wheels and tires. But what fun is a hot rod if it doesn’t make you a little scared when you’re giving it some foot? Be sure to check out the hi-res gallery of pics below.
Gallery: Chrysler SR 392 Roadster
PRESS RELEASE:
A Custom SR 392 Roadster Featuring a 392 HEMI® Crate Engine from Mopar® Will Debut at the 2007 SEMA Show
Auburn Hills, Mich. – What do you get when you combine the new 392 HEMI® crate engine from Mopar® with the world’s first-ever steel reproduction of a 1927 street rod body and three car-crazy designers? The result is a custom SR 392 Roadster that will debut in the Mopar booth (#42427) at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The SEMA Show is the annual showcase of technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry that will be held Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For nearly two years, Chrysler’s Mark Allen and Ralph Gilles planned to build the SR 392 Roadster as a SEMA stunner with Michael Chetcuti of Livonia, Mich.-based auto supplier, Quality Metalcraft (QMC). Allen is chief designer, Jeep®/Dodge Truck Studios – Chrysler LLC and Gilles is Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC. Gilles and Allen are members of Chrysler’s Mopar Underground SEMA design team, a group of in-house automotive enthusiasts who donate their time to SEMA project vehicles.
Allen said, “It was important to convey the car’s theme as an homage to Detroit – the cool Detroit with its unique artistic community, music and gritty vibe. We used durable materials and let the mechanicals show to reflect the industrial backbone of the city. We wrapped it all up in a high-gloss black-and-chrome wrapper to evoke Detroit’s cool attitude.”
Allen, Chetcuti and Gilles saw a challenge in proving that the 6.4-liter HEMI crate engine could apply to a vehicle other than traditional muscle cars or modified up fits. The team’s idea was to redefine the classic hot rod with a more functional urban and industrial attitude to create a distinctly ‘Detroit’ roadster.
The project was assisted by Chetcuti’s QMC since the company has tooled, designed and now stamps the first-ever steel reproduction of a ‘27 street rod body - the Shadowrods XL-27 Roadster and Lakes Modified bodies developed by hot rod legend, Jon Hall.
“The core design elements of this roadster speak to the grit and industrial edge of our city,” said Chetcuti. “Things like the mezzanine flooring detail and Eames-inspired seating - these take an industrial cue but are by no means ‘rat-rod.’ It is a refined and organized design throughout.”
After several design variations were discussed (California hot rod king Chip Foose even had a peek), Allen brought his full resources to the design’s completion. QMC stamped and performed the initial assembly on the reworked Shadowrods body – and fabricated and fit the revised hood, hood side panels, lower rocker panels and doors to the body.
With the car’s extremely low stance, Shadowrods was asked to build a custom frame using a unique staggered truss concept. For the final build of the SR 392 Roadster, QMC turned to longtime concept- and show-car builder Wheel to Wheel Powertrain of Madison Heights, Mich.
Overseen by Gilles, the Mopar Underground SEMA design team has been customizing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge production vehicles for the SEMA show since its creation in 2002. The team creates tricked, tuned and customized vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and customization, vehicle concepts and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive.
About Quality Metalcraft For more than 40 years, Quality Metalcraft (QMC) has been one of the leading prototype and low-volume production automotive suppliers in the world. Operations at QMC’s massive Livonia, Mich. campus cover all phases of design, engineering and manufacturing from tooling to advanced laser and stamping capabilities. Projects include everything from simple brackets to large advanced prototype full body assemblies. Visit www.qualitymetalcraft.com for more information.
About SEMA The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the annual showcase of technology, trends and products for the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry, will be held Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, SEMA draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center and attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries in the automotive, truck and SUV markets. Open to domestic and international industry professionals and media, the 2007 SEMA Show will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors. More than 100,000 are expected to attend this year. SEMA was founded in 1963. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles.
31
Oct
Damon Lavrinc
Concept Cars, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota
click above image to view new angles of the Toyota Tundra Double Cab concept
Even though the TRD Tundra Double Cab was tucked away towards the back of the Toyota booth, its retina-scorching orange hue beckoned us to take a few shots. As we revealed in our previous post, the concept gets a restyled front clip, five-inch wider fenders, 37-inch BFGs and a TRD supercharged 5.7-liter V8 making “approximately” 500 HP. Although Toyota has already revealed that its roots-type supercharger is available for the 4.0-liter V6 fitted to the FJ Cruiser and Tacoma, no word on availability of the blower for the 5.7-liter V8. Although the body mods are likely to remain concept creations, we’d expect the supercharger to make its way to TRD authorized outlets in the near future.
Gallery: Toyota TRD Tundra Double Cab Off-Road Concept