Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 09:25:00 PM
This is the end of the road for Pontiac as General Motors confirmed earlier media reports by officially announcing on Monday the death of the 83-year-old marque that will be phased out by the end of 2010. As part of its revised “Viability Plan” that accelerates the timeline for a number of important actions, GM said that it will speed up “the resolution of Saab, Saturn, and Hummer to the end of 2009, at the latest.” The General will focus on four core brands in the U.S., Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC, offering a total of 34 nameplates in 2010 compared to 48 in 2008, a reduction of 29 percent. “We are taking tough...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 09:14:00 PM
Unlike wine, cars don’t get better as they age, and at 11 years old, the current Saab 9-5 is long overdue for replacement. Still, Saab tries to make the best of it by constantly introducing new editions of its mid-size executive model in a wary attempt to draw buyers into its showrooms. At the Detroit auto show next month, the Swedes will perform the debut of the 9-5 Griffin Edition powered by the firm’s 2.3-liter, 260HP four-cylinder engine that can be matched to five-speed manual or automatic transmissions without extra charge. Available in both sedan and station-wagon forms, the 9-5 Griffin Edition is distinguished...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:46:00 PM
A new teaser image of the forthcoming Saab 9-1X Concept that will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show this March has popped up in a Swedish website. We remind you that last week Saab uploaded a blacked out teaser picture of their prototype premium hatch on their official website (click here). We can’t verify the authenticity of the image, but if it’s official, then its more than apparent that Saab’s designers took more than a look into the 9X Concept when they where creating the 9-...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:37:00 PM
Following an earlier leak today, the Swedes decided to officially release details and images of their 9-4X BioPower compact SUV -slash- crossover concept that will make its worldwide premier at the Detroit Show next week. As with the Mercedes-Benz Freeside GLK Vision, don’t be fooled by the word concept; the 9-4X BioPower is virtually a pre-production version that previews the road-going model which is expected The 9-4X BioPower features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that runs on E85 bio-ethanol (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) producing 300 HP and 295 lb/ft (400 Nm) of torque and it is mated to Saab’s...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:32:00 PM
There’s no need to wait until the opening of the Frankfurt Show on Tuesday to get a glimpse of the Saab 9-3 Turbo X as member of “Trollhattansaab” freed a set of official images. The commemorative version is a “blacked out” 9-3 2.8 Turbo AWD whose design echoes -or at least that’s what Saab believes, the black Saab 99/900 turbos. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 unit that delivers 280 Hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm, the 9-3 Turbo X takes 5.7 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mp...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:27:00 PM
Saab has teamed up with sports brand Salomon to launch a new ski named the ‘Salomon Aero X’. The ski is inspired by Saab’s Aero X concept car that was unwrapped at the 2006 Geneva Show. Or at least that’s what the two companies support, as we fail to see any resemblance at all. In the UK, the Aero X ski is priced at around £500 (approx $ 1.015 or € 69...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:17:00 PM
Can someone please explain to us why doesn’t Saab proceed to a full press unveiling of all the models? What’s the point of keeping all the details and photos locked in a PC if every single version of the facelifted 9-3 has been caught roaming the streets of Sweden without a trace of camouflage? Hello; anyone listening up there in Stockholm… Back to our yellow-mellow Aero Convertible that’s wearing the 250Hp 2.8L V6. While we’re getting used to revised face inspired by the Aero X concept along with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ hood design, we’re not at all keen with the rear end’s “I’ve got bruised eyes” looks....
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:14:00 PM
Just in case you were wondering how the 2008 9-3 looks like in silver colour… Like we predicted yesterday, this “leak-game” will continue till next week when Saab takes the lid of its revised 9-3. There’s one more pic after the jump -I mean for those of you still interest...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:11:00 PM
Looks like Saab folks have been pretty careless lately as the upcoming(has been caught unguarded and unmasked for the second time this month not by pros but by a random reader. Following the revealing SW snap shots an AMS reader managed to catch an unmasked facelifted 9-3 Convertible parked at a petrol station just begging to be immortalized by his cell phone came...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 08:09:00 PM
Our little chit-chat with a Saab PR last week wasn’t only about the facelifted 9-3 that’s coming this fall with a new AWD version fitted with a 290Hp 2.8 V6 Turbo engine, as we also learned that Saab will debut its first-ever compact SUV, the 9-4X Although not officialy confirmed, it’s rumored that Saab’s 9-4X will be based on the next-gen Opel Vectra / Saab 9-3 / Cadillac BLX platform. Talking about Cadillac, the American car-maker will also produce their versions of the Saab 9-4X, both of whom will compete against the likes of BMW’s X3 and the upcoming Mercedes MLK, Volvo XC60 & Audi Q5 SUV’s. Back to Saab, GM’s...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:35:00 PM
Renault’s UK division has revealed pricing for its hottest-ever RenaultSport Megane hatch. Offered in two versions, the more hardcore 250 Cup at £21,995 and the 250 with more equipment at £22,995, the new car will be available for order on 1st November with first deliveries set to take place in January, 2010. Both variants of the Megane RS (that’s short for RenaultSport) are fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 250HP at 5,500 rpm and 340Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, with Renault claiming a 0-100km/h (62mph) time...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:32:00 PM
If you thought Renault’s naming system for its sporty hatches was already ridiculous with the RenaultSport (…and horsepower) moniker wait until the French firm launches a new line of models that will revive the Gordini nameplate. See, instead of replacing the RenaultSport name, the Gordini badge will be used on more premium and chic versions of the automaker’s hot hatches that will benefit from specific cosmetic and equipment upgrades – but not from any kind of mechanical tweaks. And that despite the fact that the iconic nameplate was once used on the Renault 8 Gordini rally car of the mid 1960s which later on gave...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:31:00 PM
Saab’s long awaited coupe model breaks cover, in the form of the Aero-X Concept Geneva will stage Saab’s Aero-X concept that promises to give us glimpse of the Swedish firms long awaited coupe model. Seeing the first official picture of the car, it seems that Saab has based the concept on GM’s Soltice / GT / Sky roadster platform, that means that the concept will use a front engine-rear wheel drive arrangement, a first for the Swedes. More information about Saab’s new concept car will be available on Carscoop latter this we...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:26:00 PM
French carmaker Renault decided to tease all four electric concept cars that it will be displaying at its Frankfurt show stand by releasing a rather unusual ‘bird’s eye view’ photo of the EVs. Starting from the left, there’s a small, futuristic-looking one-seater ‘pod’ while the car on its right looks like a Twingo or a Twingo-sized proposal. The third concept appears to be a small coupe-like model while the larger four-door sedan model on the right bears a passing resemblance to the newly introduced Fluen...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:22:00 PM
The Cup version of the Twingo RenaultSport 133 is the latest model to join Renault’s UK lineup. While keeping the same 133 horsepower 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine as its sister model, the Twingo RS Cup does without air conditioning, automatic headlamp and wiper operation, extra tinted rear windows and features a one-piece bench in place of the usual independent sliding rear seats. What it does come equipped with is the Cup chassis pack that is a £650 option on the regular 133. The Cup chassis lowers the mini’s ride height by 4mm and features sportier damper settings and 10 percent stiffer front and...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:21:00 PM
The new, fourth generation Renault Clio may still be far way from production but that hasn’t deterred magazines from speculating on the supermini’s appearance. In one of its latest issues, French car magazine Autoplus has published a series of artist’s renditions of the 2011 Clio that are said to based on some allegedly official grainy black-and-white designs that were leaked online earlier this year. The computer generated images suggest a more dramatic styling with ’swoopier’ lines and a bolder face for Renault’s Ford Fiesta and Citroen C3 rival. As is the case with many of these future car renditions, there’s no way...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:14:00 PM
Following its world premiere earlier in the year at the Geneva motor show, the new Megane Sport Tourer has arrived in Renault’s UK showrooms with customer deliveries starting in November. At launch, the range includes 21 models, spread across four trim levels – Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilege, with prices ranging between £15,485£22,785 on-the-road, while a further trim level, Extreme, will follow in the autumn. The entry-level Expression trim comes with several standard features including 4×15W RDS radio CD, air conditioning, front and rear curtain airbags, ESP, folding front passenger seat, front...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:12:00 PM
Lexus feels the need to release a sub-model of its LFA. As if the car needs any more attention drummed up; enough people are drooling over this piece of engineering arrogance as it is. Officially referenced as the SPECIAL EDITION (and not Nurburgring Edition) in the press release , it’ll be available in Black, Matte Black, “Whitest White”, or Orange. The LFA SE will come with canards and a fixed wing in CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer); you know, to make it more unique than the other $375,000 Lexus down the street. Also, they’ll apparently help at the track aerodynamically. Power is said to get a boost from...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:08:00 PM
According to Renault, the most potent version of the previous generation Megane RS, the 230HP R26.R that went on sale in October 2008 for a limited run of 450 examples, 230 of which are destined for Britain, has set new benchmark lap times at four UK tracks. The French carmaker announced that at Silverstone, Drivers-Republic recorded a lap time of 1 minute and 19.4 sec, almost three seconds faster than the more powerful Ford Focus RS that is equipped with a 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five pot while at the West Circuit at Bedford Autodrome, Evo magazine timed the R26.R at 1m 29 sec beating the RS by almost two seconds....
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:07:00 PM
The result of one of the most anticipated automotive collaborations of recent times is coming to the Subaru CAGIVA. The Cosworth Subaru Impreza STI CS400 officially goes on sale in June, and will give fans of high-performance vehicles a unique driving feel.In addition, Subaru also said the Cosworth Subaru Impreza STI CS400 will unpaquete bespoke brake with six-piston 355 mm discs at the front, which were developed in collaboration with AP Racing, giving the model an incredible braking force.AP Racing is the leading supplier of brake and clutch components for the championship of Formula 1 World Championship rallu, as also the supplier for companies...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 06:02:00 PM
Mercedes Benz has made it official: the 2011 C-Class Coupe is on its way. The German luxury automaker has announced it will build the two-door C-Class at its massive Bremen plant, with production scheduled to begin in 2011. The addition of the Coupe gives Mercedes Benz three different variants of the C-Class, with a convertible almost certainly to follow. The impressively flexible Bremen plant, which employs 12,600 workers, also makes the C-Class sedan, wagon, GLK, two E-Class variants, the SL and SLK. With the C-Class Coupe officially on its way to production, we’re more than a bit curious as to how Mercedes will...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 05:59:00 PM
[Updated gallery with 'live' photos] A sleek electric sports coupe named ‘Survolt’ was Citroen’s surprise debut at this year’s edition of the Geneva Salon. The low-slung, 3,850 mm long, 1,870 mm wide and 1,200 mm tall concept car combines styling elements from both the ‘GT by Citroen‘ supercar and last year’s Revolte concept studies. The French automaker did not release any technical details on the Survolt, so the only thing we know about the concept is that it is powered by an electric motor fed by a set of batteries. And while the chances of a car like the Survolt making into production are slimmer than the return...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 05:45:00 PM
For the foreseeable future, the LaCrosse will remain the flagship of the Buick lineup, so at first glance, it might seem peculiar that General Motors is adding a seemingly modest inline-four cylinder engine to the sedan’s powertrain list. However, at the time the LaCrosse was being developed in 2007-2008, gasoline prices in the United States had spiked to their highest levels ever, topping $4 per gallon. General Motors product planners were understandably working on the assumption that fuel prices would remain high and continue an upward trend in the coming years. Although Buick officials won’t say so explicitly,...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 05:26:00 PM
When Volvo organised the Volvo Ocean Race the very first time in 2001-02, the company sold 4,500 special edition Volvo V70s and X70s. In conjunction with the 2005-06 race, the Ocean Blue family was extended with the Volvo XC90 and sales increased to 8,600 cars. The most recent Volvo Ocean Race Edition will reach dealers in June 2008 and Volvo expects to sell about 9,000 cars. The five largest markets are Germany, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain and Japan.Volvo has launched a series of specially designed cars dedicated to the sailing competition, “Volvo Ocean Race”. The new “Ocean Race Edition” range encompasses three models the V70, XC70...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/25/2010 05:23:00 PM
The new Megane, which will be revealed in September at the Paris Motor Show, won’t have a traditional 3door hatchback version – instead the range will feature a VW Scirooco-like coupe based on the concept unveiled in Geneva. “You have the design before your very eyes,” said Renault design director Patrick Le Quement. He also said that while the new Megane is “a strong design statement”, it will not polarize opinions in the same way as the current model. “Those that didn't like the current model at first never did grow to like it,” said Le Quement. “The new model won't have the upright line at the rear – it will be more acceptable - but it...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 07:52:00 PM
Infiniti is going to reveal the third-generation M series at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Infiniti M37 at the show will be a S model with four-wheel active steering system and powered by a 3.7 V6 320 PS engine with a maximum 360 Nm of torque. Both petrol and diesel M Line cars come as standard with Infiniti’s 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, with manual shift paddles on the S version behind the steering wheel for when the sporting urge takes over....
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 07:41:00 PM
The Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro is a very fuel-efficient model that’s able to offer up to a 42.1mpg fuel economy. The Audi A3 1.2 TFSI is aimed at people looking for downsizing and is powered by a 1.2 liter turbo engine that develops 105 PS and 175 Nm of torque. Audi has announced today that it will premiere three new models at this year’s IAA show in Frankfurt: the Audi S5 Sportback, the Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro and the Audi A3 1.2 TFSI. The Audi S5 Sportback is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 with a mechanical compressor that develops 333PS and 440 Nm of torque. The Audi S5 Sportback is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and is limited...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 06:14:00 PM
Compared to the old, last of the line Bentleys like the Continental R and T, the new Continental GT was a massive leap forward in terms of styling, handling and construction. What made the new GT even more impressive was that despite the fact that it weighed over 2.3 tons, the Continental had the performance to match most modern supercars.The Continental GT heralded a new chapter in the history of Bentley, as it was the first car to be produced under the ownership of Volkswagen and marked the ending of a 70 year long association with Rolls Royce.Zero to 60 was reached in just 4.7 seconds and it could go on to a top speed a shade under 200 mph....
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 06:10:00 PM
Set to be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, the 2010 Saab 9-3X offers added utility for motorists who don’t want a large crossover or traditional SUV. The rugged station wagon will also be displayed at the New York Auto Show in April, with North American availability this fall.In the 9-3X, the Saab Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) system – which made its debut in the Turbo X limited edition model last year – will be combined with the fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 210 horsepow...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 06:07:00 PM
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is the German automaker’s first production gas-electric hybrid, with a dual-mode system that matches exceptional power and torque with relatively good fuel economy. The hybrid crossover debuts at the 2009 New York Auto Show.In this particular application, Mercedes-Benz mates a gasoline engine a specially designed 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), twin electric motors, four clutches and the company’s 4Matic all-wheel drive. The combination delivers 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque, while returning 21 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. Zero-to-60...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/24/2010 05:46:00 PM
Once again Nihon Car Bike offers the latest scans of the Japanese press, this time to teach the face of the Toyota Corolla, according to the magazine drive Orius and not be called Toyota Auris, as we recently os (hey, will be better if we hope to baptize before changing the official name in the news). The new model bears a great resemblance to his younger siblings, the Toyota Corolla and Yaris, wearing a nose curve and forceful and an interesting aspect in general, although somewhat harmless....
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/20/2010 01:56:00 PM
The winner for best use of glazing is a Swedish designer who wanted to increase sustainability of the whole car elements using aerodynamic principles to help reduce fuel consumption. He called his creation inspired by building facades, Lexus Nuareo.Jon Radbrink declared: “There is no real differentiator between normal and hybrid cars.”“I was inspired by architecture,” he added. “I used glass in conjunction with other materials to create a layered affect that gives the feeling of transparency for the occupants.” ...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/20/2010 01:49:00 PM
This green car design from Arturo Peralta Nogueras is based on the riding horses experience, and is fueled by algae with the exterior made of a solid holographic technology. The inside evolves and adapts to its environment, passengers and scenarios. ...
Posted by agus suryo putro on 3/19/2010 04:51:00 PM
One of the most exciting cars coming in the near future is definitely Murray's T.25. Road trials of this tiny three-seater have begun and it is likely to hit the road by 2012. The T.25 foreshadows a new era of tiny economy cars, which are also fun to drive, as well as a highly original manufacturing process called iStream that slashes the investment, factory space and energy required for manufacturing.This exclusive photo from Autocar (the second one from the top to bottom) reveals the revolutionary single door for the first time. It swings upwards and forwards to allow cabin access for all three occupants. The driver sits centrally...
