Bubble cars take a bow

The Goodwood Revival is one of the biggest celebrations of classic sports cars in the world, but for 2006 the event is also applauding some of the smallest, slowest cars ever built.

The Goodwood tribute to bubble cars will feature 30 of the pint-pot motors, and they will even have their own parade laps on the Sunday.

Every type of bubble car will be on show, from the obvious BMW Isettas and Messerschmitts to the obscure in the shape of a Zundapp and a Kleinschnittger.

Sir Stirling Moss is planning to recreate a 1956 news film by driving a Berkley three-wheeler around the track with a period film camera strapped to the car.

The Goodwood Revival runs from September 1-3.

© Source: original article on topgear

Mercedes G 55 AMG - now with 500 hp

The most "venerable" model in Mercedes Benz's catalog receives a furhter injection of vitality: after the announcement of the m.y.2007 engines for the G class, now comes more power for the engine of the G 55 AMG.

The 5.5-liter V8 AMG engine now outputs 500 ps (24 more than the old one), while maximum torque is 700 Nm between 2,750 and 4,000 rpm. This power is sufficient to shave a tenth of a second from the time the G 55 AMG takes to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (now 5.5 seconds). Top speed is still electronically limited to 210 km/h.

The main exterior detail that distinguishes the 2007 MY are the new 18" alloy rims, painted "titanium grey", with 285/55 tyres. Standard spec includes bi-xenon headlights, oval foglamps with a cornering function and new, "more scratch resistant, nano-technology based paint finishes of calcite white, periclase green metallic and teallite blue metallic".

All it takes to buy one is 113.332 € (in Germany, including VAT).

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Audi Q7 Wide Body Kit from JE DESIGN

True to the motto of "everything or nothing", the car styling specialist from Leingarten,Germany, customizes the Q7 to create an impressive car. In addition to the muscular wide body kit, which makes this Audi look even more powerful, JE DESIGN is also offering a performance enhancement, new rims and an electronically lowered suspension.

For the large 3 liter V6 TDI, JE DESIGN is offering a power boost by means of a modified engine management system. The Audi specialist boosts the series specs of 171 kW/233 bhp and 500 Nm to 210 kW/285 bhp and 550 Nm, thereby lending this heavyweight ship superior poise. The top speed has also increased accordingly from 210 to 219 km/h. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is improved from 9.1 to 8.4 seconds. Needless to say, the modifications also include a TЬV parts certificate. Neither do clients have to worry about complying with the EI regulations.

Muscular styling kit

JE DESIGN has already showed off its expertise in designing wide body kits with the Seat Leon. This tuning specialist lends the Audi Q7 greater width and an awesome-looking stance. The styling kit includes headlamp lens caps, which lend the car a more aggressive look. Fitting the impressive front spoiler helps to reduce lift. It can also lend the Q7 greater prestige when overtaking. Also, it is possible to equip this Audi SUV with a set of JE DESIGN twin headlamps, which look far better than the original headlamp design. JE DESIGN enhances the appearance of the rear end by equipping the Q7 with a new tailgate skirt attachment, which incorporates diamond-shaped openings on the right and left. In each of these openings belongs a JE DESIGN dual tailpipe from made permanently shiny, corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

The upper part of the rear end is also spectacular, which JE DESIGN adorns with a wing spoiler tail fin including a C-pillar trim. A feature that is sure to get heads turning. The same also applies to the JE DESIGN fender flare kit "WIDE BODY", for which matching door panels are also available. In front of the rear fenders, air inlets lend the car a sportier look, without appearing "plump". JE DESIGN is offering the muscular look as a complete body-styling kit which is cheaper than buying all single parts piece by piece.

Which rim?

Also when it comes to rims, JE DESIGN does not miss a thing. First off, the tuning specialist offers its complete set of wheels JE DESIGN "361" in the dimension 10 x 22 ET 20 (front) and ET 10 (rear) fitted with size 295 / 30 R 22 Y tires. The rims are also sold separately and are specially adapted to the wide body kit. Secondly, JE DESIGN offers a complete set of wheels AZEV "R-Wheel" in the dimension 10 x 22 ET 50 with size 295 / 30 R 22 Y tires. These rims are also sold separately . For rims with a wheel offset of 50, JE DESIGN recommends using its aluminum track extensions, which add an extra 60 mm width on the front axle and as much as 80 mm on the rear axle.

The fine figure of the JE DESIGN Q7 is rounded off by an electronically lowered suspension, which the car customizer from Leingarten offers for cars with air suspension and which finally helps the JE DESIGN Q7 to morph into a true racing SUV.

© Source: original article on fourtitude.com

Brabus saloon rockets to 225mph

Those speed-crazed engineers at Brabus have done it again and come up with the world's fastest saloon.

This time, the German loony tuners have shoehorned a twin turbo 6.2-litre V12 engine into a CLS to create a 225mph monster, appropriately called the Rocket.

The engine produces some 730bhp after Brabus has worked its magic, and it also has a whopping 974lb ft of torque.

For road use, the Rocket has a speed limiter fitted that holds it back to 350kph, or 219mph.

Nought to 60mph takes four seconds, but more telling is the 0-125mph time of just 10.5 seconds.

Hauling all of this to a stop are ceramic brakes discs that hide behind 19in alloy wheels.

The tyres on the Rocket have been specially developed by Yokohama to cope with the power and performance.

If you fancy a slice of this sort of lunacy, and God knows we do, you'll have to dig down the back of the sofa for around £250,000.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Sexy Brit's big Climax

Stop sniggering at the back. The Concept Climax is nothing to do with bedroom antics, even if this fabulous new British sports car does have a Climax Control.

What the Climax Control allows is for the driver to make adjustments to the engine's fuelling and characteristics through a laptop computer.

A great idea, but it's the looks of this stunning new two-seater that should have the punters drooling, not the Climax Control.

Looking better than Ursula Andress stepping out of the sea, the Concept Climax revives a famous British name from motor racing in the 1950s and 1960s.

It's the brainchild of three Coventry University Auto Design graduates, and they have brought the idea bang up to date with an environmentally friendly fuel source.

The Concept Climax will run on ethanol, which is sustainable and has low carbon dioxide emissions.

The fuel powers a mid-mounted flat-four engine producing 270bhp and driving through a five-speed gearbox.

Performance is estimated at 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and top speed at 160mph, while 30mpg economy should be easily possible.

Of even greater interest to us is the V8 engine option, which will provide even stronger performance in a car that weighs just 546kg.

Light weight has been at the heart of the Concept Climax's design philosophy, and composite materials are used throughout for the body. A featherweight space-frame chassis is used underneath.

To further save weight and evoke a feeling of racing cars from the 1950s, there are no doors for the Concept.

The team behind Concept Climax says the car is not far from being production ready, and they are currently taking enquiries from prospective customers and investors.

Prices for the Concept Climax are expected to start from around £35,000.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Sales downturn for Ford pick-up

The Ford F-150 pick-up is losing its grip on the title of the US's best-selling vehicle.


Falling sales have been blamed on increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues and the spiralling cost of fuel.

To counteract slipping sales, Ford has further discounted the F-150, with savings of up to $4,500 (£2,445).

The entry-level F-150 costs from $18,710 (£10,164) and with the discount available comes in at around $14,500 (£7,900).

The F-150 accounts for more than 25% of Ford's sales in the US, where it should sell 900,000 of the pick-ups in 2006.

© Source: original article on topgear

Fiat, we've ruined your car

It's a case of the public wanting what the public gets with most major car manufacturers. But someone at Fiat has got their market-savvy hat on.

The all-new 500 is nearing production and, while the basic design has been signed off, there's still time to finalise those important details.

So, in its infinite wisdom, Fiat is giving us the chance to spec up our own cars, with the intention of using the input as market research.

Perhaps for the first time in this office's bipolar history, the mental cogs all turned in perfect unison: imagine what would happen if 1.5 million Top Gear readers went out of their way to queer Fiat's democratic pitch.

Go to www.fiat500.com and do your worst. There's an almost infinite combination of classic, sporting and psychadelic accoutrements with which to bugger up this perfectly attractive car.

Fiat is also planning a funky looking cabriolet and Abarth versions of its own, too, so don't be shy.
The first cars will hit our streets at the start of 2008 and prices will start at around £8,000. Before options, that is.

© Source: original article on topgear

Citroen shows off perky Pluriel

The latte is a stylish coffee drink, sipped in cafes.


The Citroen C3 Pluriel Latte is a special edition of the pointless French convertible based on the 1.4-litre petrol model.

Ivory paint is standard for the Pluriel Latte, to give it that coffee look, while there are also aluminium inserts in the roof 'arches, bumpers and door handles.

Leather covers the seats, with dark grey to the lower sections and cream to the upper parts.

Air-conditioning, all-round electric windows and a CD player are all included in the £12,745 price, which includes Citroen's current £1,500 cashback offer.

© Source: original article on topgear

New 1.8-liter turbo engine for the Audi A3

Audi has announced a new 1.8-liter turbo engine for the A3.


We talked about it a couple of weeks ago, together with a 2.8 V6 FSI ValveLift, but now it's official:
160 PS;
250 Nm of torque;
top speed of 220 km/h;
8,2 seconds from 0-100 km/h
and a price about 500 € higher compared to the A3 2.0 FSI.

This new turbo-charged engine will probably be present soon all over the Volkswagen-Audi Group's brands. According to Autoweek.nl it should become the base engine for the new TT.

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Volvo C30 breaks cover

Here are the first pictures of Volvo's new C30 small hatch, and we reckon it could warrant a place at the right end of Top Gear's Cool Wall.


There's no mistaking the C30 is a Volvo from the front end or the pronounced shoulder running along beneath the window line, but there's plenty of muscular style thrown in too.

At the rear, the tailgate is an all-glass affair, with lights wrapped around either side.

The C30's shape is almost unchanged from the Design Concept car that was first seen at the Detroit motor show in January this year.

Inside, the C30 provides plenty of space for four adults, the rear two getting individual seats.

Volvo promises a whole host of options for customers to create their personal take on the C30.

Engine options include three petrol and two turbodiesel units.

There are 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, a 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel, and two T5 turbo petrols with 178bhp and 217bhp.

Ride and handling promise to be excellent thanks to the C30 using the same chassis as the Ford Focus.

As you'd expect of a Volvo, safety is also high on the list of priorities, and the C30 will come with anti-whiplash headrests, six airbags and the option of Volvo's BLIS blind-spot warning system.

No word on prices yet, but the C30 goes on sale in the UK in January 2007.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Ferraris set Pan-American test

Taking a long drive across the US in a Ferrari sounds like the perfect trip to us, but how does the thought of tackling 20,000 miles from Belo Horizonte in South America to New York grab you?

Spread out over 15 stages, the Panamerican 20,000 will take 84 days and pass through 16 countries.

The chosen steeds for this Ferrari road trip are a pair of 599 GTBs. Each has been decked out in unique paint schemes, while thick underbody protective plates have been fitted to cope with the rough roads.

The suspension of both cars has been set higher to help them pass over rock-strewn tracks, but otherwise the cars are standard.

The Panamerican 20,000 kicks off on August 24.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Subaru launches Tribeca SUV

Subaru may be one of the acknowledged experts in all-wheel drive, but the B9 Tribeca is the firm's first foray into the full-sized SUV market in Europe.

Aiming for the Volvo XC90 and BMW X5 market, the Tribeca comes with a 3.0-litre 'boxer six-cylinder engine with 242bhp and a five-speed auto 'box.

That's enough power to see the Tribeca hit 121mph and 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds.

Subaru has designed the Tribeca for on-road refinement and handling rather than off-road ability, and the car has been further tweaked to suit European tastes.

Prices start £28,995 for the S5 trim, which includes six airbags, 18in alloy wheels, air-conditioning and a six-disc CD autochanger with MP3 connection.

The next trim is the SE5 at £31,995 and this adds leather seats, a sunroof and satellite-navigation, while the SE7 at £33,995 brings a third row of seats to make it a seven-seater.

Order books are already open at Subaru dealers, and the first Tribecas reach the UK in November.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Mercedes CL 63 AMG - first official photo

eMercedesbenz tips us off to the first official image of the CL 63 AMG.

Shot from a low position, with a wide-angle lens, this image makes us think about a shark.
A big shark, ready to devour any road.

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Cross-country Road Trip !

Three guys are driving a Ford Crown Victoria that has been converted to run on E85 ethanol fuel: www.KickTheOilHabit.org/RoadTrip

The goal is to get from DC to LA in a FlexFuel car, only stopping at stations with E85 pumps. Given that there are only about 750 stations that offer E85 out of the 170,000 gas stations in the U.S., it’s a pretty significant challenge.

Stretched Hummer on show

It may not be the most tasteful car at the British motor show, but it's certainly the longest.

Say howdy to the Hummer H2 stretch limo on the www.limosrus.co.uk stand.

Packed full of more than lights and tacky effects than Stringfellow's nightclub, this is the ultimate in hen night transport.

It's so tacky, in fact, that we kinda like it.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

VW Tiguan - official design study

Volkswagen has a press release out, confirming the choice of the Tiguan name for its future compact SUV; coming out in 2008.

The press release is accompanied by a nice design sketch, anticipating a car that is (fortunately) very different from the test mules that have been running around with a Golf Plus body.

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Mercedes CLK 500 m.y. 2007

Mercedes has announced a new engine for the CLK 500: the old 5-liter V8 with 3 valves per cylinder by the new 5.5-liter V8 with 4 valves per cylinder. Power goes up to 388 ps (from 306 ps) while maximum torque is now 530 Nm (up from 460).

The new engine and the new 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox combine to give a nice boost to the CLK 500's performance data: the sprint from 0-100 km/h takes only 5.2 seconds (5.9 for the old CLK 500), while the top speed is still the "same old" electronically limited 250 km/h.

Viene da chiedersi a cosa serva la CLK 63 AMG ...

Despite the 26% boost to the engine's power fuel consumption is unvaried: on average 11,4-11,5 liters / 100 km on the combined cycle.

The CLK m.y. 2007 can also be equipped with the new AMG styling pack: "front and rear apron, side skirt panels, an AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid and a chromed AMG twin tailpipe" plus new 18" AMG alloy rims. All for 4,402 € (including 16% VAT in Germany).

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Topless Bentley takes off

The great British public has its first chance to gorge it eyes on the sublime new Bentley Continental GTC.

Even more impressive than the coupe, the soft-top GTC carries off the balance between style, space and presence to a tee.

It'll cost you £130,500 if you can get your name down on the waiting list.

For that, you will receive a sleek four-seat convertible capable of 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and 195mph, courtesy of the 552bhp W12 engine.

Bentley also assures us the GTC will drive every bit as well as the coupe, thanks to some very high-tech body stiffening.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Kia shows off special ED

Kia is a company on the march at the moment and it didn't pass up the opportunity of another international motor show to dish out details of yet more new metal.

Although not at the British motor show itself, these are the first pictures of the Kia ED.

The ED is the car Kia hopes will take on the small hatchback class, up against rivals such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

The ED, which is still a codename rather than the final moniker for the car, will go on sale in December this year.

There will be 1.4-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, along with a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel.

Expect to see the final version at the Paris motor show in September, while a three-door hatch and five-door estate will follow on later in 2007.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Ford Focus Coupe-Convertible

Ford has shown off the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet in its finished form for the first time at the British motor show.

Recognising that Brits buy more soft-tops than anyone else in Europe, we were treated to a world premiere. The Focus CC is a handsome machine and it avoids the dumpy rear-end styling that afflicts many of its rivals.

We also expect it to be one of the best handling convertible around, and Ford tells us the chassis set-up is just as agile as the Focus hatch's.

Practicality has not been forgotten and the Focus CC has the largest boot in its class, boasting 534-litres of space with the roof raised.

Sales start in October in the UK and the entry level model will be a 1.6-litre petrol. There will also be a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

NICE Mega City

It's nice to be nice, especially if you are NICE and happen to build a new electric car that makes its debut at the British motor show.

NICE stands for No Internal Combustion Engine and its Mega City is aimed at those who don't need to go beyond urban limits.

With a top speed of just over 40mph and a range of 50 miles, the Mega City can carry a driver and passenger.

The car comes with an automatic gearbox and is offered with options such as customised satellite navigation to direct the driver to recharging points.

NICE has also joined up with car-share scheme Streetcar to use a fleet of VW Golfs for longer trips.

The NICE Mega City is on sale now and costs from £9,995.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Porsche 997 Targa 4 and 4S

Porsche has officially announced the 997 Targa 4 and 4S. For the first time, the 911 with the sliding glass-roof will be available with all-wheel drive, starting from november 2006.

The glass roof is moved by two electric motors, and slides back in only seven seconds, openiong an area that is up to 0.45 square meters.

The engines are the same as the coupe. The Targa 4 has a 6 cylinder boxer with a capacity of 3.6 liters. With 325 PS, it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds (0.2 more than the coupè) and reach a top speed of 280 km/h (the same as the coupè). The engine of the Targa 4S is the 3.8 liters boxer, with 355 PS (0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, 0.1 more than the coupe, top speed is 288 km/h).

Before taxes and VAT, the price is 79.000 € for the Targa 4 and 87,900 € for the Targa 4S. In Germany this means respectively 91,483 € and 102,167 €. Below you can find the full text of the press release and more photos.

Stuttgart. In November 2006, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, will be offering dealers two new variants of the eleven series at the same time – the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. Never before seen: for the very first time, the Targa models will be available exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a body that is 44 millimeters wider at the rear. As with their predecessor (the Type 996), the most striking feature of both of these elegant sports cars is the large glass roof and folding rear window. The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar flat-six engine, delivering 239 kW (325 bhp) of power from 3.6 liters. It accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 280 km/h. The more powerful S variant features a 3.8-liter engine producing 261 kW (355 bhp). This model sprints to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 288 km/h.

Thanks to Porsche’s VarioCam Plus valve control system, the Targa 4 develops maximum torque of 370 Newton meters at 4,250 revolutions per minute. The equivalent for the S version is 400 Newton meters at 4,600 rpm. Power transmission is via a six-speed manual gearbox with short, precise shift strokes. Optionally, customers can choose Porsche’s well-known five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, allowing very sporty gear changes using the finger pads mounted on the steering-wheel spokes.

As with the coupe and cabrio versions of the Carrera 4(S), power transmission is by all-wheel drive with a Visco multi-plate clutch, which depending on driving conditions applies between five and 40 percent of the driving power to the front axles at all times. The system thereby ensures well-balanced propulsive power in bends when driving to the limit, and improves traction even on wet or slippery road surfaces.

The outward distinguishing feature of the Targa 4(S) is a large glass roof blending harmoniously with the sports car’s lines and lending it a distinctive personality. A side-mounted polished, anodized aluminum trim strip running the length of the roof frame emphasizes the elegant side outline.

The glass roof is not just a visually appealing highlight, however, but also ensures a light, airy interior. It can be opened in only seven seconds to as much as half a meter, no matter what the speed, by means of two electric motors. The maximum roof opening area is then 0.45 square meters. The roof unit is of two-ply specially tinted glass, which is 1.9 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Wind noises are kept to a low level even at high speed by a newly developed sealing system. A wind deflector minimizes turbulence inside the vehicle, allowing the roof to be opened even at lower temperatures. The semi translucent black cloth roller sunblind provides protection from excessive solar radiation. The glass roof and roller blind are operated by a rocker switch on the central console next to the handbrake lever.

The gas strut-operated, upward-tilting rear windshield makes it easy to load the 230-liter capacity trunk with rear seats in the folded position. The tailgate can either be unlocked by a switch on the driver side doorsill or by the remote control button on the key fob. Closing is facilitated by an electric closing aid.

The basic euro-price for the 911 Targa 4 is 79,000 euros, or 87,900 euros for the 911 Targa 4S. In Germany, the prices are 91,843 euros for the 911 Targa 4 and 102,167 euros for the more powerful S version (including sales tax and country specific requirements).

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

BMW M6 Convertible

We almost expected the BMW M6 Convertible to growl when we first saw it this morning.

Sitting squat and menacing, the 507bhp open top makes its debut in an outside display area at the British Motor Show.

Using the same 5.0-litre V10 as the M6 Coupe, the Convertible has the same 155mph top speed, so you can tickle your Barnet at full tilt with the roof down. Unrestricted, the M6 has the potential to hit 200mph.

The M6 Convertible snarls its way on to UK streets in September. Prices will start at £86,400.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

Electric Smarts coming soon

Britain will see the first electrically powered Smarts.

The Smart EV (electric vehicle) makes its debut at the British motor show from July 20-30.

Sales begin in November, although Smart is limiting supply to certain corporate customers at first on special lease deals.

Smart is keen to point out this is a trial and only 200 electric models will come to the UK as part of this experiment.

However, the company also says this is a significant step towards Mercedes' programme of sustainable energy cars.

Powered by a 30kW electric motor, the Smart EV will be capable of 70mph and have a range of up to 72 miles.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

BMW M3 E92 - more photos

The dance of the seven veils goes on: in the latest spy-shots of the next BMW M3 published by German Car Fans, both headlights and rear lights are finally clearly visible, as is the front spoiler (free of encumbrances because the car was being tested at high temperatures).

There's still some camouflage behind the front wheels and on the mini-skirts. The "hump" on the engine hood is still masked too: what is it hiding ? Maybe some air intakes or cooling slits for the new 4.0-liters V8 engine, expected to outbut around 415 ps.

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com

Polo GTi Cup unleashed

Sick of others grabbing its glory when it invented the whole hot hatch thing, Volkswagen has come up with the Polo GTi Cup.

Looking similar to the standard Polo GTi, the Cup has larger front and rear spoilers, 17in alloy wheels and red brake callipers for its uprated brakes.

The 1.8-litre engine has been tuned to deliver 178bhp and 173lb ft of torque.

The increase in power helps the Polo Cup manage 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 141mph.

No word on when it will come to the UK, but it will sell in Germany for the equivalent of £15,700.

© Source: original article on topgear.com