Behind the Wheel | 2007 BMW 328i and 335i: A Lot More Firepower for BMW?s 6-Shooter September 30, 2006
For 2007, BMW has brought out new fifth-generation coupes, the BMW 328i and 335i, cheering enthusiasts who haven?t seen a new two-door 3 Series since 1999. IT has been nearly 30 years since two debuts, of an engine and a car, ushered in the modern era of BMW. At the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show, the company displayed a new version of its highly respected in-line 6-cylinder engine. That was also the year when BMW began importing its 3 Series coupe to America. At that point, the first 3 Series car, the 320, had been on sale in Europe for nearly …
Green Tech: Hybrids With a Power Cord: Plug-In Vans Put to the Test September 29, 2006
The DaimlerChrysler Dodge Sprinter delivery van with plug-in-hybrid powertrains can drive 20 miles on batteries alone, powered by a 70-kilowatt electric motor. ARE there plug-in hybrid vehicles in America?s future? Such hybrids could travel 10 to 20 additional miles on battery power alone, but until recently automakers have said ? more or less unanimously ? that it was not practical to add a larger battery pack and plug-in chargers to hybrid vehicles because of the added weight, complexity and cost. The public is already confused about hybrids, they say, with many people still believing that these cars (whose batteries are …
2009 BMW M10 September 28, 2006
The Racing Dynamics RS55 Coupe655 HP and a top speed in excess of 215 MPH. The V10-powered Racing Dynamics RS55 is based on the upcoming M10 supercar from BMW, and will likely see the showroom floor by the end of 2009.
The Galmer Arbitrage GT
The Galmer Arbitrage GT will prove to be the car that everyone would like to own. It has been designed and engineered to hold up to the most intense scrutiny of the motor sports enthusiast. It is being constructed with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and mostly carbon fiber body that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars less than the nearest competitor in it’s class. The secret lies within Cobra International Co., Ltd’s experience in lightweight composites and simply the cost of manufacturing in Thailand .
The Galmer Arbitrage GT is a car designed …
Spy Shots: 2010 BMW X1 September 27, 2006
BMW is expected to have its X1 mini-ute on the road by 2010. Based on the 1-Series, the X1 sets its targets on the popular Toyota Rav4.The X1 will use its slightly-bigger brother X3’s all-wheel drive system and the range of engines from the 1-Series, with four- and six-cylinder gas engines ranging between 145 and 220 hp and diesels producing 135-231 hp. The X1 is expected to offer the full range of electronic driving aids, including stability control, hill decent, dynamic brake force distribution, trailer stability control and dynamic traction control, with the possible options of active steering and dynamic …
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition September 26, 2006
When 617 horsepower and 0-to-60 mph in 3.8 seconds just isn’t fast enough, take a lesson from Mercedes-Benz and simply add more power. Enter the SLR McLaren 722 Edition that packs 33 more horsepower for a grand total of 650, and a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds, two-tenths quicker than the standard SLR. Maximum speed is also bumped from 208 mph to 209 mph, which required improved stability through a modified front spoiler and rear diffuser. Elsewhere, the 722 adds a stiffer dampening suspension, drops 10 millimeters over the new 19-inch alloy wheels that conceal the 20-millimeter-larger brake rotors. Mercedes says …
New Touareg shows its face
Here are the first official photos of Volkswagen’s facelifted Touareg, already uncovered during hot weather testing by CAR Online
A chrome effect grille surround and Eos-inspired headlights bring the luxury 4×4 in line with VW’s latest models, while at the rear, revised lights, bumper and exhaust pipes spruce up the Touareg.
New safety gadgets are introduced. VW is claiming a world first with ABS-plus, which churns up wedges of gravel or sand off-road, bringing the 4×4 to a halt up to 20 percent earlier thanks to this snowplough effect. A blind spot camera, revised ESP and a new rollover camera also feature.
The …
2007 Volvo C30
Volvo’s turbocharged hatchback is ready to battle the Mini Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI.
Volvo released official photos of its hot new C30 hatchback well in advance of its official debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show in late September. Fortunately, little has changed from the C30 Concept that we drooled all over upon its debut at the North American International Auto Show last January.
The C30 is based on Ford’s acclaimed C1 global platform (it underpins the Volvo S40, V50, and C70; the Mazda 3; and the European market Ford Focus) and shares the same 103.9-inch wheelbase, which should translate into …
‘NEMESIS’ – THE THIRD SPECIAL EDITION MAZDA RX-8
Mazda is introducing a third special edition model of its Mazda RX-8 rotary powered four‑door sports coupé. Called the ‘Mazda RX-8 Nemesis’ the latest model builds on the success of the earlier Mazda RX-8 Evolve and Mazda RX-8 PZ. The ‘Nemesis’ features unique paint colours and interior trim, plus an exclusive accessory package, all at the extremely attractive price of £22,995 (on-the-road), £330 less than the model on which it is based – when similarly specified.
Taking the standard 192ps version of Mazda RX-8 with leather and a five-speed transmission as its foundation, the Nemesis has several unique exterior and interior …
2007 BMW 6-series
For the 2007 model year BMW has decided to spruce up the 6-series coupe with a minor facelift. This spy image of a test mule caught at Germany’s Nürburgring shows that the new version remains similar to the current model. The major change is a restyled front bumper with the integrated fog lights moved inwards. Engine options don’t change either, although the 3.0L six in the base model may be replaced with the new twin-turbo unit to form a new 635i.
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