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Peugeot 308 CC Rendering

With the all-new Peugeot 308 compact hatch programmed to be unveiled in a few days from now -we mean official presentation as we’ve already showed you a set of leaked pictures, artists are concentrating their photoshop’s attention on the upcoming hardtop convertible version. This particular CGI looks like its pretty close to what we’ll see in 2008 when Peugeot takes the wraps off its second-generation mid-size 2+2 CC that’ll succeed the 307 CC. As with the 207 CC, we suspect that the French carmaker will unveil a near-to-production concept at the 2007 Geneva Show (March) of the 308 CC before its official debut at next year’s Paris Show in September. Via: Autoblog.it

Technorati: Peugeot, Peugeot+308+CC, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Mazda Announces Biggest Domestic Recall: Over 280.000 Demios & Verisas Affected

In what looks to be one of Mazda’s biggest domestic vehicle recalls, the Japanese car manufacture announced that 287,987 Demio and Verisa models produced between June 2002 and July 2006 are to be recalled due to defect clutch systems and coil springs in suspensions. According to Mazda spokeswoman Aya Takahashi, this is the firm’s largest domestic recall since data started being monitored in 1994. Mazda previous "record" was for 162,405 vehicles in March 2004. Additionally, apart from the 287,987 Demios & Verisas sold in Japan, another 25,559 Demios sold in overseas markets as Mazda2 were are also affected. From these 20,850 went to Australia, 1,166 to New Zealand, 1,147 to Singapore and 262 to Hong Kong. Via: detnews

Technorati: Mazda, Mazda+Demio, Mazda+Verisa, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Google Maps Street View: Here’s How They Did It


I’m sure most of you will have heard about Google Maps newest feature dubbed Street View. However, if you haven’t, concisely, the feature that is available for select cities allows you to view street-level panoramic photography as you browse around a map location –call it a virtual tour right behind your PC. It’s really cool and we’ve spent many hours mucking around with it –we still haven’t discovered any household nudity scenes though…

But seriously now, from what we learnt, to make Street View happen Google licensed data from companies like Immersive Media and others along with doing some work of their own. In the case of Immersive Media, the tech company uses a bunch of VW Beetles equipped with a roof mounted, high-definition camera. The camera head is one unified camera system made up of 11 lenses and sensors configured according to a dodecahedron. The 11 video streams build up maximum resolution using over 100 million pixels per second. Via: Motorpassion , Source: Immersivemedia

Technorati: Google, Google+Maps, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

German Woman Mistakes Subway Stairs For Underground Car Park!

A 52-year-old woman in Dusseldorf, Germany, stunned commuters at the Nordstrasse subway station when she drove her Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet right into the entrance as she accidentally mistook it for an underground car park. In all her stupidity and recklessness, the 52-year-old was extremely lucky not to hurt anyone -at least not this time... Via: BBC

BMW X5 M Sport Package Released For 2008 Model

Available for the first time in the X5, BMW’s M Package prime objective is to give the Bavarian luxury SUV a sportier look. If you’re accustomed to other BMW M Sport Pack’s like the one in the latest 3-Series for example, this one won’t quite live up to your expectations -at least in terms of exterior appearance.

See, basically, what BMW calls an M Sport Pack in the X5 is body colored moldings and smoked light-clusters combined with 19-inch or 20-inch rims. Of course you also get a pack of other goodies like M leather steering wheel & gear knob, aluminum accents and sport seats inside as well as a sport suspension set up, but what’s an M Sport Package if it looks like you took it over to Joey’s place and painted it? There’s no English press release for the time being but we’ll add it as soon as the Bavarian’s discover that we don’t all talk German. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below for a high-res gallery along with the price list

PRICE LIST IN GERMANY

  • BMW X5 3.0si: €6.350 / $8.521
  • BMW X5 3.0d: €6.350 / $8.521
  • BMW X5 4.8i: €4.840 / $6.495




Technorati: BMW, BMW+X5, M+Sport, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

ΜΙΝΙ "Roof Designer": Create Your Customized Roof And Order Your MINI Online

MINI has expanded its roof-decal options through the launch of a new tool on its web-site that allows you to put your own personal stamp on your MINI – by creating a customised roof. Until now, apart from the two-tone versions, if you wanted to add a little personal touch to your MINI you could only choose through a variety of pre-made decals. We visited MINI’s newly launched “Roof Designer” site and took a shot at it -a quick and completely unsuccessful try as you can see from the screen image (…).

Admittedly, it’s easy; you pick a version with/without a sunroof, choose the body and roof colour and then you’re taken to the drawing board. There, apart from choosing between a heap of graphics and backgrounds you can also write or draw something on your MINI’s roof. Once finished you can either order your customized MINI or add it to the community gallery. If our translation of the German only press release is correct, while everyone can design and upload their customized MINI on the community gallery, orders are available only in Italy for the time being. Germany will follow in June, Austria in the third quarter of the year, with further countries being added to the list at a latter date. Link: Mini site

Technorati: MINI, Cooper, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Autodelta Alfa Romeo 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super: Updated Version With 422Hp

Just as we thought Autodelta was going to chill out after the presentation of the 405Hp Alfa GT Super a couple of weeks ago, Alfa’s UK based partner announced that it’s updating the 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super with a more powerful version of the 3.7-litre supercharged V6. The car’s maximum power is up to 422 bhp at 7,000 rpm (from 400Hp ) and torque improved to 520 Nm.

Autodelta hasn’t given out any official performance figures yet, but just to get an idea, the current 400Hp 147 GTA AM Super has a top speed in excess of 180 mph (288 km/h) and 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of 4.8 seconds. We’ll have more on Autodelta’s 147 GT AM Super after its official presentation at the Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit in Belgium this coming weekend (2-3 June). -Full Press release and high-res gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Autodelta





Autodelta to present 422 bhp 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super at SpaItalia this weekend

Autodelta is pleased to announce that it will be present with a comprehensive line up of its high-performance bespoke Alfa Romeo models at SpaItalia this coming weekend (2-3 June) at the famous Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit in Belgium. Attending this edition of SpaItalia is made even more special, this year Autodelta is celebrating its 20th anniversary as the leading engineering centre for developing the ultimate road-going Alfa Romeo high-performance cars.

Leading out the exclusive Autodelta model range at SpaItalia will be a first official showing for our most powerful interpretation of the Alfa 147 GTA theme yet: the 422 bhp Autodelta 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super. This new version further builds on the impressive upgrades we have already made to the Alfa V6 engine: capacity increased to 3,750cc, a remapped management system, and a Ferrari-derived throttle body, coupled to the fitting of a Rotrex C38-81 supercharger delivering 0.75 bar of boost; now all taken to a new even higher level - bringing the car’s maximum power up to 422 bhp at 7,000 rpm (standard Alfa 147 GTA power is 250bhp at 6,200 rpm) and torque improved to 520 Nm.

Autodelta created its first 3.7-litre supercharged Alfa 147 GTA conversion exactly two years ago, the car making its preview appearance on the inaugural ‘Autodelta European Tour’ of 2005. The arrival of this dramatic package, which initially had 400 bhp, created much attention and it was requested by a number of customers.

To perfect this package fully and develop a highly dynamic chassis capable of delivering all this performance and still offer optimum day-to-day driveability, our engineering team has embarked on an intensive development programme over the last six months that has also seen our test cars in track action conducting extensive R&D programmes of major race circuits including Donington Park, Silverstone and the Nürburgring. Additional work has been carried out on the Alfa V6 engine’s cylinder head, block and internals as we have perfected this package, while the upgraded suspension features new spring rates from the dedicated coilovers and revised suspension components, as well as new anti-roll bar, and wheel geometry, adjustments. Autodelta’s own in-house developed limited slip differential is an integral part. The bespoke package includes a new aerodynamic rear under wing.

We are now very pleased to introduce this full option, the Autodelta 147 GTA AM (‘Autodelta Maggiore’) 3.7 Super, as an official package available for immediate ordering. The car will be presented at SpaItalia this coming weekend and will be demonstrated on the famous 6.976-km Grand Prix circuit on both Saturday and Sunday by our test driver.

To complement the debut of the 422 bhp 3.7 litre version at the Spa circuit, which nestles in the glorious undulating hills of the Belgian Ardennes forest, we will present the 341 bhp Autodelta 147 GTA AM 3.2 Super. Also present at SpaItalia will be our most exciting new model introduction of the last year and a car that ushered in a new era at Autodelta, the 341 bhp Autodelta Brera J5 3.2 C. Previewed last summer in Monte Carlo and commercialised in February 2007 this high-performance bespoke car has created impressive worldwide demand already. Completing our current model range will be the 400bhp Autodelta 156 GTA AM 3.7 Super.

Jano Djelalian says: “SpaItalia is always an excellent event and we are especially looking forward to attending this year’s edition. We’re delighted to bring our full model range and in particular to present our most extreme project yet, the 422 bhp version of the Autodelta 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super. We always are keen to show our cars in the conditions they are designed for, so putting this car on track at Spa is the perfect official introduction.”

SpaItalia – now in its sixth edition – has quickly grown to become one of Europe’s leading Italian car extravaganzas. With the distinct ‘track’ element central to the two-day programme, the event showcases a glittering array of Italian machinery. It takes place on the evocative Spa-Francorchamps circuit. First opened in 1921, this is one of the world’s fastest and most demanding circuits, and a real test of driver ability. This year the ‘Featured Marque’ at SpaItalia is Maserati poignant as the Trident brand is celebrating the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Juan-Manuel Fangio’s F1 World Championship title claimed at the wheel of the legendary 250F. A highlight of the event will be the presence of Maria Teresa de Filippis the first woman to drive in an F1 Grand Prix and a lady who is synonymous with Maserati. The 2007 SpaItalia event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 2 & 3.

Technorati: Alfa+Romeo+147+GTA, Autodelta, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles