Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Paris International Motor Show - Complete List With Picture & Press Release Links

Dear readers, Carscoop we will be on a brief hiatus from Wed October 27th to Sunday October 1st as I will be visiting The Paris Motor Show. We'll be talking to all the officials and upon our return on Monday October 1 we will bring you all the official and "unofficial" news from the motor show along with some great photos.

Till then, direct yourselves to the "click-worthy" links below where you will find all the official debuts of the Paris show that have been previewed on Carscoop. Also take a look on the side-bar where you will find video links of the Show cars.

PARIS INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW DEBUTS - CLICK ON THE LINKS

ALFA ROMEO 8c COMPETIZIONE

AUDI Q7 V12 TDI

AUDI S3 2.0TFSI

BENTLEY ARNAGE

BMW 3 SERIES MY'07

BMW 3 SERIES COUPE

BMW X3 FACELIFT

BMW X5 II

BRABUS CLS ROCKET

CHEVROLET WTCC ULTRA

CHRYSLER SEBRING -UK DEBUT

CITROEN C4 PICASSO

CITROEN C4 WRC

CITROEN C-METISSE

DAIHATSU D-COMPACT X-OVER

DODGE AVENGER

FIAT PANDA 100HP

FIAT PANDA - PANDA

FORD MONDEO WAGON CONCEPT & SEDAN PRODUCTION VERSION

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R

HONDA CRV

HONDA FRV MY'O7

HYUNDAI ARNEJS CONCEPT & PRODUCTION VERSION

HYUNDAI COUPE

HYUNDAI GRANDEUR 2.2 CRDi

KIA CEE'D

KIA CEE'D SPORT WAGON

KIA PRO_CEE'D

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO NERA

LANCIA YPSILON

LANCIA DELTA HPE

LAND ROVER DEFENDER MY'07

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT TDV8

LEXUS LS600h & hL (European debut)

MASERATI GRANSPORT "CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC"

MAYBACH 57S ANTIQUA WHITE

MAZDA CX-7

MERCEDES CL 63 AMG

MERCEDES CL-CLASS

MERCEDES SLR MCLAREN 722

MERCEDES S-CLASS 4MATIC

MINI COOPER & COOPER S

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER-CONCEPT

MITSUBISHI PAJERO

NISSAN QASHQAI

OPEL ANTARA

OPEL CORSAVAN

OPEL VECTRA OPC MY'07

PEUGEOT 207 EPURE

PEUGEOT 908 RC

RENAULT NEPTA

SAAB 9-3 MY’07

SEAT ALTEA XL

SKODA JOYSTER

SKODA OCTAVIA5 SCOUT

SKΟDA OCTAVIA5 RS 2.0TDI

SUBARU LEGACY MY'07

SUBARU OUTBACK MY'07

SUBARU IMPREZA 1.5R

SUZUKI SPLASH

SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT

TOYOTA YARIS TS

TOYOTA HILUX MY'07

VW GOLF PLUS CROSS

VW IROC

VW TOUAREG SUV MY'07

VW TOURAN MPV MY'07

VOLVO C30

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Mazda RX-8 Nemesis - Special Edition

Following the RX-8 Evolve and RX-8 PZ, Mazda is introducing a third special edition version of its 4door sports-coupe called the "Nemesis". Based on the standard 192 Hp RX-8, the Nemesis features unique paint colours and interior trim, plus an exclusive accessory package. No mechanical changes here with the Nemesis maintaining the standard RX-8 version’s 139 mph top speed & 7,2 seconds for the 0 to 60 mph sprint.

The Nemesis will be available in the UK in just 350 examples (200 in Copper Red and 150 in Stormy Blue). It is still unknown if (and when), this special version will make its way to the rest of Europe.

Exterior: Buyers can choose between two exclusive colours (Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica), with each Nemesis which also features a polished aluminium Rotary crest on the front air dam, polished aluminium side air-outlet trims behind the front wheel arches, special B-pillar trims with a Rotary crest and "Nemesis" badging.

Interior: Inside, the special edition model feature's unique stone leather seat trim, plus Nemesis branded luxury carpet mats and Mazda RX-8 branded aluminium door scuff plates.

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Peugeot 908 RC Concept Video



A promotional video for Peugeot's Paris Show Concept, the futuristic 4door-coupe, 908 RC. It is equipped with Peugeot's 908
Le Mans contender 5.5 V12 HDi diesel engine that produces 700 Hp and a monstrous 1.200 Nm of torque. According to French sources, the 908 RC provides us with a few hints to as how the Peugeot's 607 premium sedan's successor will look like. via : Motorpasion

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2007 Volkswagen Golf Plus Cross

These are the first official pictures of VW's new Golf Plus Cross. Based on the MPV version of the Golf, VW's new crossover follows in the path of the smaller Polo Cross & Fox Cross offering SUV styling cues and raised body height.


This version, which should not be confused with the upcoming Golf based SUV, the Tiguan, gets a new set of SUV inspired bumpers, 17" alloys and black coloured body protectors. In the interior, the only difference seem to be the aluminium decorations on the dashboard. It's still unknown if the Golf Plus Cross will be available with an optional 4wheel drive system (Haldex) but form the information available now, we know that it's engine range will consisit of three 4cylinder motors: 102 Hp 1.6, 140 Hp 1.4 TSI & 1.9 TDI (105 & 140 Hp). Sales will begin in Europe in January 2007.

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Scooped : 2007 Audi TT Roadster

The 2007 Audi TT Roadster has been caught out in the open, but unfortunately, not completely nude as it's got its roof on top. Talking about the roof, as presumed, the second generation TT Roadster get's a traditional canvas top that'll electrically fold in the rear deck. Like it's coupe counterpart, the Roadster will be available with a 200 Hp 2.0 TFSI and a 250 Hp 3.2 V6 FSI engine. But we'd better wait till it's official presentation (sometime in 2007) as Audi might surprise us with a new set of engines including a more powerfull version of the 2.0 TFSI engine and the new 280 Hp 3.6 FSI. via: Autoblog.it & WCF

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Monday, September 25, 2006

Ohio Mitsubishi Car Dealership gathers fire for it's "Jihad" themed Radio Add

A Mitsubishi car dealership in Ohio aired a radio advertisement which declared "a jihad on the automotive market". Jihad -the word actually meaning "Holy-war" can be interpreted in many ways but in this case has already offended some people.

Several stations rejected the Dennis Mitsubishi spot, which says sales representatives wearing "burqas"- head-to-toe traditional dress for Islamic women- will sell vehicles that can "comfortably seat 12 jihadists in the back."

"Our prices are lower than the evildoers' every day. "Just ask the pope", the ad says. "Friday is fatwa Friday, with free rubber swords for the kiddies". A fatwa is a religious edict. The owner of the dealership claims that it's all in innocent good humor, however, I can probably say this add may piss a few people off. He claims the add may provide a sort of tension reliever for the current situation with terrorism.

Sorry but I can't find an inch of humor in people that blow themselves up. And you know what? I don't think the guys who came up with this "grotesque" commercial do either. Just think about all the publicity the dealership has got till now...

Hilarious Japanese Drift Race Crashes !



Maybe most of you won't understand a word of what these guys are saying, but after you see and of course, hear them commenting the video, I'll bet you a nickel that you'll crack more than just a smile !
via: Jalopnik

Drift - Part 2


Drift - Part 2

2007 Smart Fortwo to be unveiled this year but not at Paris

Smart came out with a rather odd press release informing us that although it's new 2007 Smart Fortwo will be unveiled this year, it's world premier will not take place at this week's Paris Motor Show, but, "at a location outside of the trade fair circuit". And we thought that the Romans we crazy...

To make things even more odd, the Mercedes-Benz owned carmaker came out with two sketches of the forthcoming model. Like we haven't already seen it as most you remember, a dozen or so pictures of the car leaked on the net last week -click here to see the gallery: 2007 Smart Fortwo Official Pics.

PRESS RELEASE - Even more smart fortwo : The new smart fortwo, which will be launched in the spring of 2007, is not on show in Paris. The world premiere will take place this year, at a location outside of the trade fair circuit. However, a first indication of its appearance has already been given: a sand sculpture of the new model could be seen during the German beach volleyball championships at the beginning of September at Timmendorfer Strand.

Over and above this we can reveal this much: the new smart fortwo will be a true smart fortwo as well. It will adopt the key characteristics of the current model. You could say that the fortwo can do everything that the current fortwo can do - but a little better. via: Motorpasion


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BRABUS Tunes the 2007 Mercedes CL Coupe - Top end SV12 S Biturbo with 730 Hp !

AS IF the 388 Hp of the 2007 CL500 or even worse, the 517 Hp weren't already enough for your typical Mercedes-Benz driver, Brabus has come up with an extensive engine tuning program for the classy German coupe.

CL600: More specifically the top end CL600 can be transformed to the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo which wears a 6.3 litre V12 (up from 5.5 litres) producing 730 Hp and even most impressively, 1.320 Nm of torque at 2.100 rpm! That's good enough to sprint the SV12 from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph).

CL500: As for the more "humble" CL 500 model, options start with the B8 tuning kit for an increased power output of 419 hp / 308 kW and culminate in the BRABUS 6.1 displacement engine with 462 hp / 340 kW at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm at 3.100 rpm.

Like all Brabus models, both CL Coupe versions get the usual suspension, tyre & brake upgrades plus a sleeky bodykit that seems to fit it like a glove.

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Rinspeed Imola based on the Porsche Cayman & Rinspeed Indy 4S optical package for the 911 Carrera 4


Swiss tuner Rinspeed
announced that it has prepared two exclusive packages for the 2007 Porsche Cayman & 911 Carrera 4 & 4S models. Not bad if you exclude the rather... kitsch "backgammon" roof stickers on the Cayman based, Imola and the dull design of the 20" alloys on both models.

Press Release - Rinspeed Imola - Porsche Cayman : Rinspeed has modified the Cayman characteristics with a low front skirt which takes design clues from the Indy look which was introduces for the 997 model series. The big carbon air intakes with the integrated parking lights remind of the current 997 Turbo model. New side skirts let the power house from Stuttgart appear lowered and sleeker. The complete rear skirt features a carbon difusor insert. Special attention was given to the exchangeable rear skirt inserts which allow either center or a dual exhaust systems. Headers, metal catalytic converters and stainless steel exhaust systems round up the exciting program.


The contact to the road is taken care by five spoke aluminum wheels C5/1 in the format of 8.5 x 20" with tires of the dimension 235/30-20 at the front axle and 11 x 20" with tires 305/25-20 at the rear. The suspension is lowered by 25mm by an especially laid out and engineered suspension kit which is adapted to the serial PASM system. Four way adjustable coil over suspension kits are also available. The interior is enhanced by a sporty steering wheel in F1 look, aluminum shift knob, aluminum pedals sets, emergency brake lever as well as velour floor mats.

Rinspeed Indy 4S – Porsche 911 Carrera 4 & 4S : The original front skirt is replaced by a complete Rinspeed front skirt which enhances the aerodynamic down force. Side skirts let the 997 appear lower and more dynamic. Additionally, a rear skirt with a diffuser optic has been developed. The tuner also offers aluminum wheel in the Design C5/1 in 20" for this model range. Wheels of 8.5 x 20" and tires of the maximal width of 245/30-20 can be fitted on the front axle where as the rear takes 11 x 20" wheels with tires of the dimension 305/25-20

Apart of the aerodynamics package, Rinspeed also offers a wide exhaust program. The possibilities range from oval end pipes to a flow optimized sport exhausts to high performance exhaust systems which include headers, metal catalytic converters and rear mufflers. Suspension wise Rinspeed opts for sporty lowering springs (approximately 25mm). Alternatively adjustable coil-over suspension kits can be ordered. Both sets are compatible with the original PASM system. The interior is enhanced by full leather trims, airbag sport steering wheels, aluminum pedals, aluminum foot rests and shift knobs.

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Honda : Redeveloped 2.2 i-CDTi diesel that meets stringent Tier II Bin 5 Emissions Requirements coming to the US

Thanks to revolutionary NOx catalytic converter that enables a great reduction in NOx emissions sufficient to meet stringent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II Bin 5 emissions requirements, Honda is getting ready to import a revised version of its 2.2 CDTi diesel engine to the States within three years. The catalytic converter features an innovative system using the reductive reaction of ammonia generated within the catalytic converter to "detoxify" nitrogen oxide (NOx) by turning it into harmless nitrogen (N2).

Press Release : The new catalytic converter utilizes a two-layer structure: one layer adsorbs NOx from the exhaust gas and converts a portion of it into ammonia, while the other layer adsorbs the resulting ammonia, and uses it later in a reaction that converts the remaining NOx in the exhaust into nitrogen (N2). Ammonia is a highly effective reagent for reducing NOx into N2 in an oxygen-rich, lean-burn atmosphere. This ability to generate and store ammonia within the catalytic converter has enabled Honda to create a compact, lightweight NOx reduction system for diesel engines. The system also features enhanced NOx reduction performance at 200–300ºC, the main temperature range of diesel engines.

Honda designed the catalytic converter for use with its 2.2 i-CTDi diesel engine, which has earned widespread praise for quiet, clean operation and dynamic performance since its introduction in 2003 on the European Accord model. By further advancing combustion control, the 2.2 i-CTDi delivers cleaner exhaust to the NOx catalytic converter. Honda achieved this by optimizing the combustion chamber configuration, reducing fuel injection time with a 2,000-bar common rail injection system and boosting the efficiency of the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system. Thanks to these improvements, Honda has reduced the amount of NOx and soot normally found in engine exhaust, while increasing power output.

Along with developing superior technology for cleaning exhaust gas, Honda plans to address other technical challenges in developing clean diesel engines, such as handling diesel fuels with different cetane numbers and meeting U.S. On-Board Diagnostic System requirements. Honda plans to introduce its next-generation diesel engine in the U.S. within three years.

Gasoline engines presently employ three-way catalytic converters that offer NOx reduction rates as high as 99%, but this performance is possible only at the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. In the oxygen-rich environment of a lean-burn diesel engine, three-way catalytic converters only reduce NOx levels by approximately 10%. Honda's new catalytic converter efficiently reduces NOx in a lean-burn atmosphere, enabling diesel engines to rival gasoline engines in cleanliness. The compact system is also easy to install in passenger vehicles.

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Sunday, September 24, 2006

Volga V8 Roadster - Russians Overhaul a BMW 650i Cabriolet into a modern classic !


Talk about "Overhaulin"... These Russian guys over at Volga -a company which will probably close in 2007, seem to have put Chip Foose and his "Overhaulin" TV Series to a shame with their new product, the Volga V8 Roadster.


As you can see from the development phase pictures, this 60's idesign nspired roadster is actually a camouflaged BMW 650i Cabriolet ! And note that this is not the first time that Volga has attempted and act like this. Back in 2001, the Russians produced the Volga V12 Coupe which was entirely based on the BMW 850CSi Coupe -they even left the Bavarian Coupe's interior practically intact !

Like the Coupe V12, the V8 Roadster was made to honour a classic model of Volga, the unknown to the west, Volga GA3-21P -although that car was just a humble everyday vehicle as you can see in the pictures bellow.

Besides the fact that the Roadster V8 wears BMW 650i's 368 Hp 4,8 litre V8 engine we haven't got any other specs, but you have to admit that the folks over at Volga have yet again done a marvellous job in designing this car!


Volga V12 Coupe Facts and Specs: Made to honour Volga's classic GA3-219, the V12 Coupe was unveiled in 2001. According to the company, the BMW 850CSi based Coupe V12 used the Bavarian 380 Hp 5.7 litre V12 engine which was was good enough to speed it up to 100 km/h (62 mph) from stance in 6,6 sec while for the quarter mile (0-400 m) it needed 14,7 sec.


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Uncensored : 2007 Ford Mondeo Sedan Production Version Pictures !


O
k, last week we got our share of leaked pics from the Mondeo Wagon Concept before its official Paris unveiling. But that was only a few days before and anyway, it was a concept, so not much harm done. This time though, thanks to Fordeurope (unofficial site) we get to see a whole gallery of "uncensored" pictures from the 2007 Mondeo Sedan production version -6 months ahead of it's official debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show in March ! The reportage says that these pics where taken during the filming of 007's Casino Royal Film, where the 2007 Mondeo has a role in it.


But enough with that, lets go back to the car itself. Got to hand it to Ford's design team for managing to keep as close as possible to last year's wonderful Iosis concept. Finally we've got a Ford sedan that doesn't look like a french toast on four wheels. And that's not all cause by the looks of the new S-MAX MPV on which the 2007 Mondeo is based on, its seems that Ford's engineers got their way and maintained Mondeo's predecessor's excellent road handling. We'll have more on the 2007 Mondeo after the Paris Show. via: Autoblog.com & Fordeurope.net

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