2010 Opel Meriva MPV Spy

GM’s next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing once gain. Though it remains in full camouflage, many details are still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show. The new Meriva is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should be sale across Europe by the end of the year. The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place. A very carefully...

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GM ends 25-year NUMMI partnership with Toyota

General Motors has confirmed that it will dump its ownership stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) joint venture that it established with Toyota more than 25 years ago. Located in Fremont, California, the NUMMI plant was last responsible for versions of the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma, as well as the Pontiac Vibe.But with GM’s decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand, the automaker decided to stop selling the Vibe. There was hope that GM would use the facility to produce another model but it appears that all chances have since been eroded.more detail. ...

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Leaked: BMW X1 SUV Official photos

The new X1’s running gear is based on the 1-series compact car but its ride height is taller. The car is actually expected to use a mixture of 1-series and 3-series parts, sort of bridging the size gap between the two - not that the gap was large to begin with. BMW’s X-drive AWD system will also feature. The latest round photos, which have surfaced on several Internet forums, reveal the vehicle's details inside and out. BMW family traits can also be found in the front and rear lights, which resemble the recently revealed 5-series GT and the 7-series sedan, respectively. The range will kick off with two base models: the xDrive18i and the xDrive18d, and these will be followed by an xDrive20d with 177hp (130kW) that is good for a 0 - 60mph sprint...

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1997 McLaren F1 GTR race car for sale in Japan

For those whose cash reserves have not been completely depleted by the current global recession, a very special car is currently up for sale in Japan via Wintel. This racer is one of ten long-tail McLaren F1 GTRs built especially for the 1997 FIA GT season.The F1 GTR first hit the track in 1995 when a model barely removed from the roadgoing version raced to victory at Le Mans. By 1997, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche had seen the writing on the wall, and combined with the series' updated rules, had created their own competitors, including the CLK-GTR and the 911 GT1.McLaren's 97 F1 GTR had all-new bodywork with a longer nose and tail that reduced drag and dramatically increased downforce. By this time, the new purpose-built Mercedes and Porsche cars...

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2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake released with 725hp

　Las Vegas-based tuners Shelby are releasing another new set of mods for the Mustang. The limited edition 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake includes improvements both to power and performance.The Super Snake gets a standard Ford Racing handling package, which includes lowered springs, adjustable dampers, front strut tower brace and tuned stabilizer bars. You can purchase the optional Shelby/Eibach handling package as well. Custom Alcoa 20-inch wheels surround the cross drilled rotors. A six-piston Shelby/Baer brake system is also part of the package, as are the front brake cooling ducts. "Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500," said Carroll Shelby. "Every...

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Leaked: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Images

The Lamborghini Diablo was the last rear-wheel drive car to come from the factory at Sant'Agata. That may change soon, however, if the car depicted in these images that have surfaced on the Web are to be believed. This orange beast is rumored to be called the Gallardo LP550-2, and given Lamborghini's very descriptive naming scheme, all of this Gallardo's 550-hp are supposedly sent only to the two rear super-wide Pirellis. Given the stripe package and contrasty black-on-white interior, it’s clearly some kind of upcoming special edition; but determining its drivetrain layout from these images alone is near on impossible. There aren’t any noticable differences in bodywork between this and the current LP560-4, but the 19-inch wheels are reminiscent...

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JE DESIGN Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI

The tuners from JE DESIGN have turned their attention to the diesel Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI and the 2.0 TDI CR. The JE DESIGN Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI now outputs 180 hp (133 kW) and 400 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm instead of 140 hp and 320 Nm. With the extra found juice the JE DESIGN Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI has a top speed of 213 km/a and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds.Under the hood, JE Design equips the standard 2.0-liter TDI engine with a revised ECU module which boosts the engine's performance from 140 hp (103 kW) to 180 hp (133 kW) and 400 Nm of torque. Performance stats include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds (a reduction of 0.9 seconds) and a top speed of 213 km/h (an improvement of 6 km/h). The company...

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Frankfurt Motor Show; 2010 Citroen C3 unveiled

Citroen has decided to officially reveal the new Citroen C3 months before its scheduled Frankfurt Motor Show debut. The new generation C3 is far more aggressive than previous model which was literally an egg! It is pretty funky as all Citroens are, but because of some nice detailing it looks very elegant, which is a rare treat in the world of small hatchbacks. As previously mentioned, it appears as though early rumors of a full panoramic glass roof were unfounded. The "Zenith" windshield does in fact extend over the front occupants' heads, but only just to the b-pillar. The company believes occupants will find the Zenith Windscreen very comfortable, as progressive glass helps keep harsh rays out of the cabin. Citroen says they worked hard...

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Jaguar to make a roaring lion? XKR Goodwood Special mooted

The details haven't been disbursed yet, but one of Jaguar's chief engineers has reportedly spilled the beans on a special XKR to be shown at Goodwood. Called, fittingly, the XKR Goodwood Special, it will get more power than the standard XKR's (shown above) 500 horses, and more audible snarl than the current exhaust emits.Read M...

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Unlikely State Of Tune: Mugen takes on the Honda Stream

You wanted something sporty, but due to additions to the family, a minivan is as athletic as its going to get. But if that minivan is the 2010 Honda Stream, you can still satisfy your sporty urges thanks to Mugen. The practically in-house tuner has developed a full line of interior, exterior, aero, performance, handling and cosmetic parts for the people mover -- from typical Mugen mods like spoilers and wheels to a performance air filter and TypeT touring brake pads. If you add the sport suspension to your minivan, well, maybe you really do need to get a different car.More Pho...

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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup includes new MR Limited

Remember the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback we showed you back in October? The one that debuted in Paris? The one that we lusted after for its hatchback practicality and Ralliart brawn? The one that the good folks from Mitsubishi had promised we'd be getting here in the States this summer as an early 2010 model? Well, Mitsubishi has delivered. Sort of.A few Mitsu reps drove down to Irvine from Cypress with a genuine 2010 Ralliart Sportback. And not only that, but they dragged along an Evo GSR and an all-new MR Limited as well.The Ralliart Sportback drew a lot of attention for its shape, but the Limited was the one that caught our eye. It's a regular old MR with a few differences. In place of the Alcantara bits, Mitsubishi has gone all-cowhide...

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2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan AND Wagon First photos

Do these images actually show official manufacturer renderings of the 2010 Saab 9-5 sedan and 9-5 wagon? Two different blogs seem to think so. Both Autoblog.nl and Saabunited.com believe that the source of these images is Saab itself. We're not so sure. The images are far from perfect (is that a scratch on the front bumper of the 9-5 sedan?), showing two drawings that need some finishing touches. Most recently, the wagon was seen under a tight-fitting cloth cover teasing us with an idea of what the vehicle will look like. However, what the artist seems to have been accurate on is the overall shape of the front bumper, including headlight placement, air intakes, grille shape, and fog lght location. Also, the wheels appear to be fairly close...

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