2011 BMW X3 SUV Scooped: Grows in Size, Could get a Hybrid Version

New X1 SUV, BMW's engineers are now busy preparing the second-generation X3 which is due to arrive in international markets in 2011. Based on the next 3-Series platform architecture, the new X3 bears the codename F25 and will come with all-wheel drive or as BMW calls it, xDrive. It is possible though that just like the smaller X1, the Bavarian automaker may also offer rear-wheel drive only variants of its compact SUV. The introduction of the X1 in BMW's SUV range should result in an increase of the X3's exterior dimensions in order to further differentiate the two models. As it stands now, the Bavarian SUVs are similar in size, with the X1 being just 4.5 inches (114 mm) shorter, 2.2 inches (55 mm) narrower and 5.1 inches (130 mm) lower than...

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Gemballa Mirage GT Gold Edition based on Porsche Carrera GT

GEMBALLA Automobiltechnik are amazing tuners which specialty is to build exclusive sports cars which are based on the Porsche models. The very last exotic addition to their range is called MIRAGE GT GOLD EDITION. The words ”MIRAGE GT” in the model name reminds us for a few other GEMBALLA creations, but ”GOLD EDITION” speaks for a Midas touch in that particular one.The MIRAGE GT GOLD EDITION super sports car is based on the Porsche 980 Carrera GT and for sure will conquer lots of motor sport hearts. It is an extremely attractive version of the MIRAGE GT and the eye-catching main evolutionary characteristic are the GEMBALLA body details finished in golden paint and golden carbon fibre. But the GEMBALLA improvements are not over yet: ultra-light...

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Frankfurt Motor Show:: Audi to Unveil R8 ePerformance Electric Vehicle Concept

For a number of years now major automakers' favourite flavour at international motor shows has been the hybrid system. Now a new dawn is upon us and it is the dawn of full electric power. Rumours that have been doing the rounds for a while are suggesting that Audi will be one of those who unveil an electric sports car concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will take the form of an R8.Supposedly the car will be called the R8 ePerformance. Power is to come from large powerful batteries and an electric motor to drive the wheels, so it will not be a hybrid but a complete electric-powered car.more detail. ...

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Videos: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Sedan Officially Revealed

The Kizashi, Japanese for "something great is coming", was designed to mix European styling with Japanese quality. While the latter remains to be seen, the car features an interesting appearance with a bold grille, shapely headlights, and a dynamic rear end. Other styling highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, an attractive dual exhaust system, and a short front overhang. Suzuki has officially pulled the wraps of their new Kizashi mid-size sedan. The car offers an extensive list of standard safety equipment which includes eight airbags, electronic stability control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, projector beam headlights, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Owners can also equip their Kizashi...

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 Tuning Gone Bad

The Merc's front and rear ends have been completely deformed with the grotesque creation featuring an ASMA inspired front grille flanked by a pair of CLK-style headlamps while at the back, Dr. Frankenstein incorporated a set of... SLK tail lamps. The vehicle also gets a variety of air vents on the hood and the front panels plus a triple exhaust pipes on each side of the bumper.After looking at these photos, we've reached to the conclusion that we've been extremely harsh on ASMA. Don't get us wrong, we still find the German tuner's proposals hideous, but few will disagree that there's a new king in town. Even though there's a badge with the name 'Arturos' at the rear, we're not sure who's responsible for this freakishly modded Mercedes-Benz...

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class AMG Facelift Scooped

Almost three years after its debut at the 2006 Paris Show and Mercedes is readying a subtle mid-life facelift for the CL-Class that may be re-designated as the S-Coupe when the car arrives at Merc's showrooms sometime during the first quarter of 2010. Our spies captured the range-topping AMG version of the CL that will once again be available in two guises, the V8-powered CL63 AMG and the V12-powered CL65 AMG or, S63 and S65 AMG Coupe respectively if Mercedes decides to change the coupe's name as it did with the CLK's replacement, the E-Class Coupe. Like the recently updated S63 and S65 AMG sedans, while the CL63 and C65 AMG coupes won't have more muscle than before, they will boast slightly improved fuel economy and decreased CO2 emission...

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Auction: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even though David Gooding said "Today's records become tomorrow's bargains," we don't expect to see any bargains at this year's show.Pebble Beach regular Gooding & Company will be bringing three special cars to this year's auction and the vintage rides are said to carry not only the requisite pedigree, but are expected to be barometers of the classic car market at a time when values are, at best, variable.Included are a 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan owned and restored by the late, great racer Phil Hill and being auctioned by his estate. It won Best of Pebble in 1977 and has never been auctioned before....

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Chevrolet Agile Renderings Revealed

General Motors is launching the Chevrolet Agile exclusively to the South American market towards the end of 2009. The Agile, rendered in these official pictures, is a compact hatchback that also serves to give crossover appeal. "The Agile goes beyond a traditional hatchback," said Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design Mercosur. "Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Great design, interior space and a crossover... a car to attract customers from a different urban public or to a surfer who loves the countryside." The GM manufacturing plant in Argentina is already tooled up for the Agile operation and workers have been trained in its assembly. It will join other...

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Kia VG sedan rendering Revealed

The upcoming Kia VG will share its front-wheel-drive platform with next-generation Hyundai Azera. It will be available with fuel-efficient 2.4L gasoline direct injected -GDI four-cylinder gasoline engine with estimated power of 200 hp and a 3.5L V6 Lambda with 277 horsepower. Kia VG is also rumored to be available with 2.7L V6 and 2.7L LPi engines.Kia VG sedan renderings released. Revealing the final shape of the forthcoming Kia premium sedan.Kia has released the first batch of official renderings showcasing the forthcoming premium Kia sedan. We have first seen Kia VG at the Seoul Auto Show earlier this year, where it made its first public debut. Called Kia KND-5, the concept boasted a dynamic and very attractive exterior appearance that reflected...

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Ford Mustang Officially Confirmed to Enter NASCAR for First Time

One of America's best-loved muscle cars the Ford Mustang, has had a successful racing career in a number of series including NHRA, Grand-Am, IMSA, SCCA and NMRA. Missing from that list is NASCAR, the nation's premier racing series. Now Ford has announced that the Mustang brand will compete for the first time in NASCAR from the 2010 season.via:worldcarfansPress ReleaseMustang is already the most successful single nameplate in Ford Racing's professional racing history, but it hasn't competed in NASCAR-until now. Brian Wolfe, director of Ford North America Motorsports, made the announcement today that Mustang will debut as part of NASCAR's new car limited rollout in the 2010 Nationwide Series. "We're excited about Mustang coming to NASCAR," said...

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Lamborghini Reventon Roadster – Unofficially Official ...

We were beginning to wonder if our exclusive on the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster back in March was going to fall apart. We’d heard that Lamborghini were struggling to find enough punters to stick a deposit on the 9 cars originally planned, and that was accounting for the delay. But it looks like Lamborghini has given up on that plan, and are instead going to unofficially reveal the Reventon Roadster today to a bunch of likely clients.There now seems to be a bit of confusion over exactly which powerplant the Reventon Roadster will use. Lamborghini’s original plan was to make a Roadster version of the Lamborghini LP670-4SV, but they’ve been having problems with all that power in a Roadster. So it now seems possible that they will effectively...

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Tramontana R Edition with Video

You've seen the Tramontana before, and now, you can see it in motion. This Spanish made beast sports a 100% carbon fiber chassis, a twin-turbocharged AMG 5.5-liter V12 that makes 720 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque, it weighs 2,500 pounds and looks like an F1 car designed for Robotech. 0-60 happens before you get in the car and top speed is orbit. Probably.Not only are Tramontana's more expensive than you could possibly imagine, but each one is designed around the owner. Plus, your passenger sits behind you. We like that. But possibly the craziest thing about the R Edition is a certain button on the dashboard. See, in "regular" grocery shopping mode, the big Mercedes motor spits out "just" 550 hp. Luckily there's a button labeled "720 HP" on the...

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Handbuilt Eagle E-Type Speedster Revives the Iconic Jaguar E-Type

Very much if you ask Eagle, who claim to be more than a E-Type restorer and definitely not a maker of replicas. Remember when Jaguars were the most beautiful, fastest cars on the road? Don't worry, you're not alone. UK firm Eagle remembers too and they're remaking this Jaguar E-Type Speedster using upgraded original components. But perhaps the East Sussex, U.K.-based Eagle shouldn't be judged solely on the originality of the parts it uses. This Jaguar E-Type speedster should be held accountable on its own merits. The Eagle 4.7 liter engine also delivers a comfortable 340 lb-ft of torque (460 Nm), plenty of pulling power when considering the car comes in at less than 1100 kg on the weight scale. The waterfall console, the custom-made 3-spoke...

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Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder

The details on the new 458 Italia were covered in an earlier story, so there is no need to retread them here. Ferrari chose to name the 458 after its native land because, as they say in the press release, Italy is synonymous with "style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology." True, perhaps, but that description applies more readily to Ferrari itself. Yes, it doesn't take much to imagine the Pininfarina-designed 458 Italia as a topless model. It's a mid-rear engine Ferrari, after all, and the car's sloping rear roof-line does almost demand a Spyder derivative. But this image somehow makes the prospect all the more inevitable and, literally, renders it real.And will Ferrari now be naming all its cars after places? As it has with...

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French stylist Jeremie Paret turns his hands to the Porsche Cayenne

With a front end that looks more like an upset fish rather than a stylish SUV, the development of the Porsche Cayenne 'Balrog' apparently took eight grueling months of research. With work undertaken on the exterior of the car, along with some performance upgrades, a new interior and a number of new wheels, the Jeremie Paret Porsche Cayenne Balrog may not be up our alley but it has already won acclaim from rising French hip-hop star Kennedy, who has had a number of his cars modified by Jeremie Paret. Last year we revealed the first major work of former French tuning magazine editor Jeremie Paret, who had dubbed himself as a car stylist rather than a tuner and set up shop with studios in Paris and Dubai to woo the wealthy and tasteful into handing...

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