9ff GT9 in Details

Breaking the 400 km/h (249mph) barrier is no simple task and Porsche specialist tuner, 9ff, from Papenburg Germany have done so with honour. However, despite celebrated claims of breaking the world-record for road-going vehicles at 409 km/h, our research tells us this ain't so.

Regardless, after a couple years of GT9 coverage, 9ff has finally revealed all of the sumptuous technical details, production and pricing of its 400 km/h projectile.

Starting with its powerplant, the 996 Turbo sourced motor has been bored out to 4.0-liters which includes reworked turbos, dry sump oil lubrication system, titanium connecting rods, forged pistons and a 24 carat hard gold plated induction plate. The result is 987 PS / 726 kW at 7,850 rpm. The maximum torque of 964 Nm is reached at 5,970 rpm. Transmission is race prepared sequential unit.

The suspension is electronically adjustable aluminium shock absorbers in connection with double spring rate McPherson front axle and horizontal push-rods at the 5-link rear axle. Brakes disks are ceramic sandwiched by front 6- and rear 4-piston calipers. Special brake pads and an individually engineered race-ABS complete the system.

Lastly, the body is a Frankenstein of sorts, taking the front end of the Porsche GT3 model with a tubular steel-grid and developed a chassis made of very strong yet lightweight carbon and Kevlar fibre.
Vital to reaching speeds over 400 km/h, the under-body casing integrates a wind diffuser which generates additional downforce and stability at high speeds. Additionally, the low height of only 1,180 mm presents an increased aerodynamic profile while giving striking exotic look.

9ff will produce only 20 units of the GT9 for the price of 498,000 Euros.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 goes to 584hp, by IMSA

The Lamborghini LP540-4 was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, it is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine and as the name suggest pumps out 560 ponies and features a 4WD Viscous Traction system. This is the sort of package that puts the it's big brother Murciélago under a lot of pressure to come out with something even more spectacular and Lambo tuning specialists IMSA are hardly doing it any favours.

IMSA have introduced a new sports exhaust system to the model which adds an even stronger melody to the engine and brings total power output to 584hp. The exterior modifications include a new set of lightweight alloys and sports suspension kit along with an aerodynamic enhancing carbon fibre rear wing.

Spied: GM Daewoo Veritas (L4X) spotted in person

Here are the first images of the GM Daewoo Veritas, originally named L4X, spotted outside auto show venues for the first time. A rebadge of the Holden WM Caprice, the Veritas replaces the GM Daewoo Statesman that was on sale since 2005. The Statesman was also a rebadge of the previous generation Holden Statesman from Australia. The Veritas sports a unique vertical-slat grille and badging. The Statesman rides on Holden's RWD Zeta platform.

GM Daewoo pits the Veritas against the Hyundai Genesis 3.3L, Ssangyong Chairman W V6, and BMW 528i. Alike all three of these cars, the Veritas is rear-wheel driven. Its dimensions are (mm) 5195 x 1895 x 1480. The Veritas is powered by a 3.6L Alloytec V6 that produces 258 horsepower. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Veritas features a myriad of premium amenities such as bi-xenon headlamps, navigation system with DMB TV, tri-zone automatic climate control, power rear seats with massaging, power rear window curtains, and a rearview camera.

Reports say the Veritas is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2008.

Continue reading to view more images.

Spied Up - Date: 2011 Rolls Royce RR4

Our spy photographers have captured the best pictures yet of Rolls-Royce’s fourth model, known by its internal code of ‘RR4’, testing without most of the cladding that’s disguised prototypes until now.

The shape of the baby Rolls’ body sides are clearly visible for the first time, along with the big Phantom-style door handles on the rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors. At the rear the RR4’s vast bootlid is obvious along with the stepped rear wings.

Despite slotting in at the bottom of the range, the RR4 is a big car. Former Rolls boss Ian Robertson has described it as “splitting the difference between a Phantom and the BMW 7-Series.”

Based on the new 7-series platform, the RR4 is being engineered in Germany, but will be produced at the company’s factory in Goodwood on a new production line. The RR4 is intended to fill out Rolls’ model range, selling for around £170,000. According to the company’s research, there are around a million people in the world who would be able to consider buying an RR4. That’s a dramatic improvement on the Phantom’s ultra-rich potential customer base of just 100,000. It’s also anticipated the RR4 will appeal more strongly to corporate buyers.

Despite the close link to the 7-Series, Rolls-Royce is adamant that the RR4 will be a ‘proper; Rolls. It will have its own engine, rather than a BMW unit, and we don’t expect to see it with a diesel.

We’ll see the car at the Geneva motor show next March, and it goes on sale in 2010. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Hot News: Volkswagen Outsell Ford

Volkswagen has overtaken Ford on global vehicle sales, relegating the American company to fourth spot in the global automakers’ sales chart.

According to the latest sales figures, VW Group delivered 3.31 million vehicles in the first half of the year, with Ford delivering 3.22 million.

“This shows we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product program,” said Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the VW Group management board, “we will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment.”

The results will make gloomy reading for Ford executives, and give further proof of the tough trading conditions the company is facing in the USA, it’s biggest market. Ford was the world’s second-largest carmaker as recently as 2004, before being overtaken by Toyota.

And despite announcing a cut in production today, Toyota is still on course to become the world’s largest car manufacturer at the end of this year, having outsold General Motors by 280,000 units globally during the first six months of 2008. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

New Car: 2009 SEAT Ibiza Cupra

Seat has revealed the hot Seat Ibiza Cupra ahead of the car’s Paris show debut in October.

The Ibiza Cupra gets its sporting potential from a 178bhp 1.4 TSI twin-turbo engine and a seven-speed double-clutch DSG gearbox, combined with stiffened sports suspension, and a host of driver aids including ESP and traction control.

The styling of the Cupra is much closer to the Bocanegra concept that preceded the Ibiza, including its larger, more sharply defined black grille, revised air intakes and a centrally placed trapezoidal exhaust.

Other standard equipment on the Cupra includes cornering lights, bucket seats and 17-inch alloys.

No performance figures or prices have been released, but we’d expect the Cupra to compete with the £16k Renaultsport Clio 197. Seat’s new offering should go on sale before the end of the year. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Spied Up - Date: 2011 BMW X3

Our spies have caught some great shots of the new BMW X3 in near-production form.

The prototype shows how the X3 will take much of its styling from the new BMW X5. Both the window line and the treatment of front and rear lights are very derivative of the X5, as are the high boot line and bonnet rakes leading back from the radiator grille.

The pictures also makes clear that the X3 has grown significantly in length compared to the current car.

When it goes on sale in 2010 it will be taking place in an enlarged BMW family, with the new BMW X1 sitting below it in the range. Sources inside BMW claim that the car will be 4.7 metres long - up 0.2 metres on the current model.

The new X3 will ride on a new platform derived from that of the current 3-Series, featuring the ‘xDrive’ and torque vectoring systems that are already offered on the BMW X6.

We’ve also learned that BMW is working on the development of a hybrid version, which is likely to use similar technology to the X5 Vision concept shown at the Geneva show. Other models in the range will be powered by engines familiar from other BMW products, including twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel and petrol units.

There are no official launch dates set for the new BMW X3, which will compete with new models such as the Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5, but expect it to hit the showrooms in early 2010 after the X1 goes on sale in 2009. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

NB: Check out WheelHQ.com's selection of BMW Wheels.

Hot News: Mazda Plans Chevy Volt Rival

Autocar has learned that Mazda engineers are hard at work trying to develop a rival to the Chevrolet Volt – a car which uses a petrol engine to charge a battery pack which powers the wheels via an electric motor.

Senior sources say that trials are currently underway in Japan, with a prototype that uses a rotary engine to charge the battery pack. The tests are sufficiently advanced that Mazda has a working prototype in a Mazda 5 MPV bodyshell. Company bosses are said to be keen to put this system into production but no firm decisions will be made until the cost of batteries is reduced.

In the meantime the company will concentrate on simpler green technologies. The first stop-start Mazda will go on sale in Japan next year and the system is expected to be rolled out globally on a variety of models. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Hot News: Chrysler Could Sell Viper Brand

The iconic Dodge Viper could be sold off after Chrysler announced that it is “exploring strategic options” for its V10-engined supercar.

Chairman of Chrysler LLC, Bob Nardelli, said, “We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for the Viper, and we have agreed to listen to these parties.

“While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper.”

The announcement comes as Chrysler is restructuring the Dodge brand with four new vehicles, including the Journey in Europe and the US, plus the Challenger, Durango Hybrid and Ram in North America only.

Though there is no guarantee that the Dodge Viper will be sold off, it seems a distinct possibility that the iconic muscle car could leave the brand that created it if the struggling US firm finds the financial benefits too good to refuse. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Hot News: 2010 Ford Mustang Badge

Ford’s iconic Mustang is due for a significant update for 2010, and while Ford is still holding back images of the freshened pony car itself, it has revealed an official image of the studly steed that will grace its grille.

Compared with the outgoing badge, the new pony has been working out: it’s more angular and defined, its head has been raised a bit and its neck tilted into the wind “to give it a feeling of greater speed and better balance.” Proportions are also more realistic, Ford says. Base Mustangs will wear badges with a tinted chrome finish, while GT models will be available with a black chrome finish. “It’s just a faster-looking steed,” said George Saridakis, design manager for the 2010 Mustang.

This is the fifth iteration of the pony badge that has been leading Mustangs down the road since 1964, although it disappeared from the Mustang’s exterior between the years of 1979 and 1994.

“Like the upcoming restyled Mustang, the new pony is more defined, more muscular and sure to catch the eye of Mustang enthusiasts,” Ford said in its official release.

Let’s just hope they put this much attention into the car itself.

NB: 2009 Ford Mustang Parts now available at AmericanMuscle.com

Video: Kia releases Soul teaser

After the Raphael Nadal video that sparked some controversy in the media, the "weird" theme continues with Kia's latest video of the Soul. With this one, however, it is eccentric in a cute way. Random wheels are bouncing around when the wheel of a Kia Soul Burner Concept comes into the scene. One more thing. At the end, the supposed slogan of the Soul appears and it's confusing to say the least. Soul has no color? Oxymoron anyone?

The Soul is slated to make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show this October.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

Moscow: Hyundai unveils ix55 for Europe

Hyundai has debuted the ix55 crossover, the European version of the Veracruz, at the Moscow International Autoshow. Along the lines of Hyundai's new "i" nomenclature scheme (i10, i20, i30, i40), the ix55 will be available in European and Russian markets.

Apart from a horizontal-slat front grille and reworked alloy wheels, the ix55 differs little from the North American version cosmetically. The ix55 also features a re-engineered suspension system and packs a 3.0L VGT diesel engine that produces a potent 240 horsepower. The ix55 will go on sale by the end of the year.

[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]

Kia Motors Europe boss returns to Volkswagen

Paul Willis, who served as the chief operating officer of Kia Motors Europe, will step down from his position and move to Volkswagen Group Ireland as its new managing director.

Taking effect on October 1, 2008, Willis will replace Bob O'Callaghan, who is retiring after 43 years in Volkswagen. Willis has worked previously in Volkswagen from 2000 to January 2008. He will be responsible for the import business of VW, Audi, Skoda, and VW Commercial vehicles from O'Flaherty Holdings to Volkswagen.

Before joining Volkswagen in 2000, he has worked in Ford, Toyota, Mazda UK, and BMW GB. Details on who will take Willis' former position in Kia have not been released.

[Source: Motor Trader]

USA: Hyundai Recalls 65,000 Elantras

Hyundai Motor America has issued a recall affecting 65,000 units of the Elantra for a fuel pump defect. It affects MY2008 models produced between November 5, 2007 and June 28, 2008.

The defective fuel pump may lose pressure and hinder the engine's performance. All affected models are equipped with the 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower. Injuries have not been reported due to this defect.

Produced in Hyundai's Ulsan plant in South Korea, the Elantra is the second best-selling Hyundai in the United States - behind the Sonata.

[Source: Reuters]

Sneak Peek: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse will have a grille with a Buick badge on it. That much has been confirmed by a teaser shot sent to us today. Aside from that, the image tells us... very little.

What will the rest of the car look like? Buick says it will take cues from the Invicta concept that was shown at the Beijing show (pictured, right). We expect the production version to be decidedly less sexy, add some glass area on the sides, lose the glass roof, and throw in some door handles to break up the flowing lines. As we said back in April, the interior on the concept appears ready for a showroom, so look for most of its design to make it to L.A.

Standard power will likely come from a 250-hp version of GM's turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder, replacing the anemic 3.8-liter V-6 currently offered on the LaCrosse CX and CXL. The LaCrosse Super could be powered by the 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 found in the Cadillac CTS. In that application the V-6 makes 304 hp, besting the current Super's 5.3-liter V-8, which is good for only 300 ponies. We expect six-speed automatic transmissions all around, in place of the current car's four-speed autos.

Stay tuned for our Los Angeles show coverage to find out the rest of the story on Buick's mid-size sedan.

Hot News: Mitsubishi to Cancel 3-Series

Plans to put Mitsubishi’s Concept-ZT into production have been cancelled.

Company bosses have decided there is no business case for a car that would be positioned against the BMW 3-series.

Previewed by the four-door concept at last year’s Tokyo motor show, the ZT would have slotted into the firm’s range between the Lancer and the American-market Galant.

The concept used an aluminium spaceframe body, an ultra-clean 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and the Evo’s four-wheel drive system. Mitsubishi had been considering putting the ZT into production with a steel body and an unchanged drivetrain.

Hot News: Hyundai Recall 65,000 Elantra

The recall bug has hit Hyundai for the second time in four months -- earlier this year the automaker began inspecting nearly 400,000 Sonatas for a faulty seat-cushion airbag sensor, much like the same problem BMW discovered two weeks ago. And now Hyundai is revisiting another group of vehicles for problems, specifically 65,000 Elantra sedans that have a fuel pump that could lose pressure and cause the engine to hesitate.

Applying to 2008 Elantras, the fuel pump on some 2.0L four-cylinder engines may lose pressure when gasoline blended with ethanol creates a film on its electrical contacts, making the car hard to start or causing it to hesitate while running, increasing the risk of a crash. That said, the recall is voluntary and Hyundai says it isn't aware of any injuries caused by the defect. The automaker plans to notify affected owners starting next month, and all faulty equipment will be replaced by dealers free of charge.

With gas prices pushing many commuters into smaller, more economical cars, Elantra sales have risen 25% through July, with a total of 72,432 examples leaving dealer lots so far. Hyundai believes that only certain engines built between November 5, 2007 and June 28 may have the bad fuel pump, but if you have any questions simply contact the automaker at 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai Genesis Aces NHTSA Tests, Five-Star Ratings All-Round

Score one for Hyundai. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis has been awarded five-star crash test ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for both frontal and side impact tests.

"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

The Genesis is standard with a plethora of safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags, and electronic active front head restraints. Couple that with the starting price of $32,250 for the base V6 and the deal doesn't get any better. Kudos to Hyundai for another sign of progress.

[Source: MarketWatch]

Continue reading to view the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Delivers NHTSA Five-Star Safety Ratings

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rankings under the agency's New Car Assessment Program, to the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests.
"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features that both prevent accidents and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer.
Genesis' eight airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.

Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, a standard feature on the 2009 Genesis, which are an improvement over mechanically-based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The V6 models feature 12.6-inch front rotors with single-piston floating calipers, while the V8 models feature 13-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers. All models are equipped with 12.4-inch rear rotors.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

NHTSA is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service and Leadership. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

Spied: 2010 Kia 'VG'

Here are the latest spyshots of Kia's upcoming premium front-wheel drive sedan, code named 'VG'. Due to make its debut in August 2009, the VG is Kia's answer to the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon.

The VG is underpinned by Hyundai/Kia's new 'NF' chassis and it will be more of a performance-oriented car than a luxury one. Measurement wise, the VG will be wider and longer than the Amanti; though it will not replace the Amanti as a successor to that, code named 'CH', will debut in September 2010. The VG will be powered by a 3.8L Lambda V6 producing north of 280 horsepower. It will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

It is definite that the VG will be available in North America. Pricing remains speculative, but we expect it to range from the high $20s to low $30s. More information will be available soon. Head over to Leftlane to view more images.

[Source: Leftlane]

Hot News: Rethink for New McLaren

The new McLaren P11 supercar is going back to the drawing board for a redesign to be masterminded by new styling chief Frank Stephenson.

The former BMW, Mini, Fiat and Ferrari designer will join McLaren later in the year; he has to complete several months of gardening leave after resigning from Fiat in April.

According to well placed sources, Stephenson will join McLaren Automotive to redesign the family of supercars that McLaren plans to put into production in 2009. “The basic engineering layout is fixed, but the styling is still open,” said one source.

Images of the P11 first surfaced in the middle of last year, but sources now confirm that the production car will be very different. “It’s changed from those designs,” said our insider.

That car was rumoured to have been put together to help raise funds from potential investors.

Stephenson will also get the chance to design a rumoured open-top version of the P11 and a GTR race version. The latter may be powered by a 600bhp-plus V10.

Both the open-top and GTR models are expected to be rolled out in subsequent launch years. The lightweight and more powerful GTR version of McLaren’s iconic F1 was the second best-selling variant. In an eventual total production run of 107 F1s, 64 were customer road cars and 28 were GTR racers.

They raced with considerable success, including claiming an overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1995. McLaren is understood to be eyeing similar success with a GTR version of its new supercar.

The Woking firm has put back the launch date of its mid-engined two-seater by at least 12 months to accommodate the redesign.

The preliminary launch plan would have seen the first P11 revealed later this year, possibly at Paris, or early next year at Geneva. Those dates are understood to have been delayed to later in 2009 or early 2010.

The mechanical specification of the P11 has been fixed for some time as a Mercedes-sourced direct-injection 6.2-litre AMG unit mated to a double-clutch gearbox. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

First Sketch: SEAT Tribu

Seat's love affair with the internet continues to blossom; yesterday trademark office renderings of its Exeo saloon leaked onto the web, and now the blogosphere has given us a first look at the Tribu SUV.

The Tiguan-based model is due in early 2010 as a rival for Honda's CR-V and the Toyota RAV-4. It was originally shown as a three-door concept at last September's Frankfurt motor show, but Seat appears to have registered a five-door design for now.

These renderings show that the production Tribu (the name is Spanish for tribe) will tone down the concept's extreme styling slightly, while also incorporating the flared side flanks seen on the recently launched Ibiza.

The leaked details don't stretch to engine options, but expect the Tribu to feature the 2.0-litre petrol and common-rail diesel motors from its sister VW, along with a slightly cheaper price tag.

Spied: 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI

IT’S the news Volkswagen Golf fans have been waiting for! These pictures confirm the German car maker is working on a high-performance replacement for its current hot hatch champion, the GTI.

Based on the same chassis as the current model, the next GTI will offer a revised cabin and exterior. Our spies caught a prototype in disguise being put through its paces before the car makes its public debut, tipped to be at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Sources say the hatch will be powered by an evolution of the current 2.0-litre turbocharged TFSI engine producing 211bhp. There will be a choice of gearbox: a six speed manual or a new seven-speed sequential. Three and five-door versions are in the pipeline, and these scoop shots show the latter, complete with finished bodykit.

Highlights include red brake calipers, as well as spoilers front and rear. In addition, broad side skirts take account of this model’s wider-than-standard track. Not everything on show here is likely to make production, though – the wheel design is sure to change dramatically, as we have shown in our artist’s impression.

But the next GTI will feature the active suspension system that debuted in the latest Scirocco. Sport, comfort and automatic modes are selected by pressing buttons on the dash. Based on technology originally developed for Audi’s TT, the set-up adjusts damper stiffness, increasing it to improve agility or reducing it to boost refinement.

The new GTI goes on sale next year and is set to cost £1,500 more than the current model.

Spied: 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia OPC/VXR

THERE’S no rest for the wicked at Vauxhall! Only weeks after the Insignia’s British Motor Show launch, engineers were back in Germany honing the range’s performance flagship – the fire-breathing VXR.

The black disguise worn by this development car shows it is no ordinary Insignia hatch. 
Underneath is a deeper, lower front bumper with enlarged air intakes to cool the engine and brakes. In production form, the car will wear a chrome Vauxhall badge on the grille, which will also feature sporty mesh to 
further distinguish the VXR.

The Insignia gains sculpted sills, larger twin exhausts and a reworked rear bumper. Sports suspension and low-profile tyres on 18-inch alloys aid handling, and larger brakes cope with 
the uprated performance.

Under the bonnet is a reworked version of the firm’s 2.8-litre V6 turbo petrol unit, producing 280bhp, or a 247bhp 2.9 V6 turbodiesel. Both will be available with six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Importantly, the fastest Insignia will be the first four-wheel-drive VXR, ensuring all of the power is transmitted to the road. It’ll be available in saloon, hatch and estate variants, priced at around £28,000 to firmly undercut rivals such as the £30,990 VW Passat R36. The VXR will join the Insignia 
range from next autumn.

Hot News: Next Mazda MX-5 Miata Will be More Radical

What will the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata look like? Mazda's design head Laurens Van den Acker hopes it will share few visual cues with the current roadster.

"The next MX-5 needs to be a big step," Van den Acker said in an Autocar report. "The last one was too conservative and we can't do another car like that. We need to make it more dramatic and give it some balls."

Autocar speculates that the Kazamai concept may influence the next MX-5 Miata. The Kazamai is a compact crossover concept prepared for the Moscow International Automobile Salon. Furthering Mazda's design language, the Kazamai concept's name means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese.

No official decision for the Mazda's design direction has been chosen yet, apparently, but it appears there's a good chance the new car will be more radical than the current one -- with or without the happy facelift.

Mazda's MX-5 Miata has survived three generations with relatively minimal styling changes. For the next-generation roadster, is the status-quo the way to go or should Mazda get radical?

First Sketch: SEAT Exeo

Images of Seat’s forthcoming Exeo saloon and estate have leaked onto the internet after the design of the car was registered with trademark authorities in Spain.

As we previously reported, the Exeo is based on the previous-generation Audi A4, and the images make clear that, apart from its new nose and tail, the Seat looks almost identical.

The images also confirm for the first time that Seat will be using the A4 Avant bodyshell to produce an estate version of the Exeo. Production of the car is scheduled to begin in December, with UK sales starting early next year.

Details of the prices, specifications and powerplant options will have to wait closer to its launch, but Seat insiders say the Exeo will be priced at a similar level to the Skoda Superb, suggesting a range from around £15,000 to £23,000.

USA: Hyundai launches ad campaign for Hispanics

Hyundai has commenced an advertising campaign targeted towards Hispanic buyers in the United States. Led by Patricia Romero, national manager of multicultural marketing, the campaign is dubbed "Descubrelo tu mismo" (Discover it for Yourself).

According to Advertising Age, Hyundai has a 2.7 percent share of Hispanic car sales in the United States.

"Often Hispanic campaigns are direct (translations), with no Hispanic insights and just adapted language-wise," Romero recently told Advertising Age.

The campaign incorporates a television spot and a special Spanish-language website that highlights Hyundai's commitment to safety, reliability, and design.

[Source: Red Orbit]

Hot Site: American Muscle

Hey I just found a hot site. If you are fan of muscle car, especially Ford Mustang, you can check this site out (www.americanmuscle.com). In this site, you can find so many parts for your 'Stang. For example, you can find Wheels, Tires, Exhaust, Accessories, and many more. And if you want to upgrade your 'Stang, this is the right site fo you. If you are interested to buy some parts, you can order directly. So, what are you waiting for? Go to this site RIGHT NOW. Enjoy...

Renault releases Safrane in Gulf States, rebadged Samsung SM5

Renault has released the first images of the Safrane sedan, which is a rebadged version of the popular Renault Samsung SM5. The SM5 and the Safrane are both re-engineered versions of the Nissan Teana.

Renault plans to only market this in the Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. It is available with a 170 horsepower 2.3L V6 and mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Safrane is assembled alongside the SM5 in Renault Samsung's Busan plant in South Korea. Renault owns a 80.1 percent share of Renault Samsung.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

Continue reading to view more images.

Hot News: Nissan Gets Its Own Suzuki Alto

Autocar has learned that Nissan is going to be previewing its own version of the forthcoming Suzuki Alto at the Paris Show in October.

Like the Alto, Nissan’s model will be sourced from India and will go on sale in 2009. Nissan won’t reveal the car’s name or what it looks like until closer to the show, but it’s expected to be pretty close to the Alto and will come in below the Micra as a entry level for the range.

It’s the latest step in a deal that’s seen Nissan and Suzuki swap models both in Japan and in North America to plug gaps in their respective model ranges.

Suzuki’s new shape Alto takes to the road as the production version of its A-Star mini concept that was unveiled at the New Dehli Motor Show this January, and which made a follow-up appearance at Geneva where it won widespread acclaim.

The Alto is believed to be a small five-door hatch with Euro 5 compliant 1.0-litre aluminum petrol engine with a C02 target of below 109 g/km. It will be positioned below Suzuki’s Hungarian-made Splash, yet the company is still promising it will offer ample room and comfort.

Nissan’s version of the Alto might prove to be no more than a stop-gap model until the company’s own next-generation city car comes on stream. Nissan and Renault have recently broken ground on their own new factory in India, the finished plant in Chennai set to produce up to 400,000 cars a year.

Nissan has said it has plans to source nine new products from India, including its ULC (Ultra Low Cost) rival to the Tata Nano and the next generation Micra that will be based off its new A-platform. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Hot News: Renault Safrane is Reborn

Renault is making a big saloon again - but it's not about to risk trying to sell it to European buyers.

This is the reborn Safrane, a large Korean-built saloon that the French manufacturer is aiming to sell in the middle East. It's powered by a 2.3-litre V6 engine producing around 170bhp or a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor; both units are mated to an automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

Renault is keen to pitch the Safrane as a premium item (climate control, Bose stereo etc), but it sports one of the most complex, muddy bloodlines of any car on the market; it's essentially a rebadged Samsung SM5 (a model only available in Korea), which is essentially a rebadged Nissan Teana (a model only available in Japan), which sits on the same platform as Nissan's Maxima and Altima.

The new Safrane will be built at Busan in South Korea, alongside Renault's first joint venture with Samsung Motors, the Koleos SUV. Sales start in early September. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures).

Spied: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Our spy photographers have snapped a prototype of the next-generation Jaguar XJ being put through its paces at the Nurburgring.

Although hidden under bodywork from the current car, the test mule’s blistered wheelarches and extended front end give a good indication of the crucial model’s larger external dimensions.

Jaguar insiders have previously told Autocar that the new XJ, which uses the internal code X351, uses the aluminium chassis of the current XJ but wears all-new bodywork. According to one source who has seen the car in the metal, “It looks like the XF’s features have been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide.”

Production of the new car is scheduled to begin late next year, with Jaguar hoping that the XJ will be able to build on the massive international success of the mid-sized XF saloon.