Mercedes-Benz Announces Pricing for 2008 C-Class Cars

Mercedes-Benz announced that its 2008 C-Class will be starting under $32,000 and hitting a top price of $37,275 for the C350 Sport Sedan. The new cars arrive in U.S. dealerships on August 7.

The '08 C-Class models are the fourth generation for the lineup. They're bigger than the cars they replace — about 3.9 inches longer and 1.7 inches wider, with a wheelbase that's 1.8 inches longer. New for 2008, the C300 Sport and Luxury versions both can be had with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission starting in September.

Among the standard features for the 2008 C-Class are eight-way power front seats, two-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, an LCD display screen and a power sunroof. Another interesting touch is the three-pointed star in the center of the front grille of the C-Class Sport models, which Mercedes calls "AMG-inspired."

The suspension and steering have been revamped for a "noticeably more agile" driving experience, Mercedes says.

The 228-horsepower C300 Sport Sedan is priced starting at $31,975. The C300 Luxury Sedan's price tag is $33,675. The C350 Sport Sedan costs $37,275 — $1,500 less than the 2007 model, which was priced at $38,775. A $775 destination charge is included in all prices.

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Volvo Rolls Out "Sports-Inspired" R-design

The official word has come down about Volvo's new R-design lineup, a subject of much speculation recently. Using words like "refined" and "sports-inspired," Volvo said the factory options package — which is largely cosmetic — will be available on the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 in Europe this fall.

The R-design package apparently is not intended as a replacement for Volvo's high-performance R-series cars that the company is phasing out of production. Volvo explained that R-design "replaces and enhances" Volvo's current sport trim levels. R-design is available on Sport and SE Sport models and on all engines in the C30, S40 and V50 lineup. The Sport with R-design range starts at the equivalent of about $33,250 for a Volvo C30 1.6 Sport.

R-design includes exterior upgrades such as a satin matte-finish grille, color-coordinated bumpers and lower side moldings, rear or roof spoiler, satin matte-finish side mirrors and five-spoke aluminum wheels in 17- or 18-inch sizes. In the cabin, upgrades include off-black seats with contrasting cream-colored leather, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with R-design logo, aluminum pedals, aluminum center stack and door inlays, and tufted dark sport floor mats.

There are no major suspension modifications or powertrain upgrades. It is uncertain whether R-design will be available in North America.

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Cadillac's Future Product Portfolio Hinges on Hybrids

Cadillac is planning to roll out hybrid versions of many of the vehicles in its lineup in the next six years, from the CTS to the BRX CUV, industry supplier sources tell Inside Line.

One source close to the Cadillac hybrid strategy tells IL that the move toward offering luxury vehicles with a two-mode hybrid system makes sense for a number of practical and philosophical reasons. First, the hybrid option is expensive and Cadillac buyers can afford it. Also, Cadillac doesn't want to be seen as socially inept next to Japanese competitors like Lexus and is under the gun to roll out hybrid variants in a hurry.

GM currently is working on hybrids for the following engine displacements: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder; 3.6-liter and 3.9-liter V6s; 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s.

Sources tell us that Cadillac's first hybrid, a two-mode system that increases hybrid fuel savings by efficiently adjusting to different engine speeds, will be the 2009 Cadillac Escalade. The entry-level CTS will likely get a 3.6-liter V6 hybrid in 2010. The new Cadillac DTS, which is on the books for model-year 2011 as a replacement for the DTS and STS, may get a 5.3-liter hybrid V8 as early as 2012.

Sources say the Cadillac BLS, which moves to the rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform in model-year 2012, is scheduled for a 3.6-liter V6 hybrid in 2013. The Cadillac BRX, a small CUV off the TE platform, will roll out in model-year 2010 and will likely get a 3.6-liter V6 hybrid variant in 2011.

John Howell, Cadillac's product chief, told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that the luxury division is considering hybrid versions of all its models as U.S. gas prices hover near $3 a gallon.

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Beijing Military Jeep

When American auto designer Edward Wong set out to create the first new Chinese military Jeep in 35 years, he drew his inspiration from Bruce Lee and the Shaolin monks, Chinese Buddhists associated with the martial arts. Little wonder then, that the new BJ2S is nicknamed "the Warrior."

"I did not want to design another Humvee," Wong told Car Design News. "I want this vehicle to represent China, its people and its cultures."

While the BJ2S is on tap to replace all military Jeeps for the People's Liberation Army starting later this year, civilian versions are set to debut in the future.

The BJ2S is decidedly un-Humvee-ish with lots of Chinese influences. The front fascia is patterned after a mythical Chinese creature called a kylin or qilin that is said to be a good omen. The five slots in the grille stand for the five stars in the Chinese flag, and the three-slot front guard represents the army, air force and navy.

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STRUT Knightsbridge Collection for Rolls-Royce

(from STRUT Press Release) STRUT Collections continue to garner accolades and praise from discerning car collectors worldwide as the only brand of jewelry for their luxury automobiles. Recently, STRUT unveiled their finest collection to date for the vehicle that has for decades defined class, style, and the enjoyment of life without compromise—the Rolls-Royce Phantom.


The STRUT Knightsbridge Collection features a distinctive new architectural design that combines the classic lines of the original Rolls-Royce grille with finely detailed, handcrafted, and highly polished jewelry style bracelet links.
Completing the design ensemble are matching side vents and exhaust tips developed from aerospace alloy for superior durability along with a chromed STRUT shield for the rear of the vehicle. All STRUT collections are handcrafted from the finest materials then triple-chromed for superior durability and luster that will withstand even the harshest outdoor elements.

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STRUT Windsor Emerald Collection for Range Rover

(from STRUT Press Release) STRUT® the highly respected company known worldwide for their distinctive handcrafted, triple-chromed jewelry collections for luxury automobiles, has announced the introduction of the new Windsor Emerald Collection, designed for the 2006–2008 Range Rover.

The Windsor Emerald Collection is comprised of a front grille featuring a new finely detailed, bracelet-link design crowned with the STRUT shield, a hood vent, matching side vents, and a STRUT shield for the rear of the vehicle. The collection is handcrafted from the finest materials then triple-chromed for superior durability and lusterSTRUT is now shipping the Windsor Emerald Collection to authorized custom automotive boutiques and dealerships worldwide. The standard collection is priced at USD $10,500. Custom finishes are available at additional cost.The STRUT Windsor Marquise Collection, featuring the classic woven marquise design originally introduced by STRUT for the Range Rover, is also available, presenting owners with two options for personalization.

About STRUT®Located in San Clemente, California, STRUT has achieved benchmark status throughout the world for their trendsetting and distinctive jewelry collections, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobile connoisseurs. Created like fine jewelry, each handcrafted collection is personally signed by the artisan, further reflecting the passion and pride they take in their work. The 2006-2007 STRUT Collections can be viewed at www.strutwear.com.

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STRUT Munich Marquise Collection for Mercedes-Benz

(from STRUT Press Release) STRUT the company who introduced the concept of jewelry for luxury automobiles has recently announced new collections for the Mercedes-Benz S Class—the S550, AMG Sport, and the S65.

The new STRUT Munich Marquise Collection features a primary front grille with classic woven marquise design and matching lower air dam intake grilles, hood vent, and rear STRUT shield.

Now shipping to authorized custom automotive boutiques and dealerships worldwide, the new Munich Collections are priced from USD $8,500 to $9,500.

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2008 Honda Accord

As the all-new 2008 Honda Accord nears its official launch, spy photographers stumble upon a group of 2008 Honda Accords in the middle of a brochure photo shoot.

As we've seen before, the Accord coupe gets a honeycomb grille, while the sedan's face is trimmed with horizontal bars. Based on the alloy wheels and dual exhaust pipes, both the coupe and sedan pictured are V6 models.

Honda has publicly talked about increased horsepower, improved fuel economy, cylinder deactivation and lower emissions for the V6-powered Accord. Although official specifications have not yet been released, a 3.5-liter V6 with approximately 270 horsepower is expected, as well as the base 180-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

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2008 BMW X5 M Sport Package

(from BMW Press Release) The new BMW X5 4.8i M Sport comes equipped with 19-inch V-spoke M light alloy wheels, Sports suspension, M Aerodynamic body styling, Sports seats, matt aluminium surround to the side window frames, high-gloss Shadowline roof rails, Anthracite headlining and M leather steering wheel. Customers wishing to further differentiate their cars can also choose to upgrade to 20-inch M V-spoke light alloy wheels.

The introduction of M Sport to the BMW X5 range has been eagerly awaited by buyers as 90 per cent of the previous models sold were specified as a Sport.

The new BMW X5 4.8i M Sport will be available in six colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Carbon Black, Monaco Blue, Space Grey, Titanium Silver. Inside and Nevada leather upholstery is standard and is available in Black, Grey, Beige and Saddle Brown hues. Dark Walnut interior trim is standard on the X5 4.8i M Sport but customers can specify Brushed Aluminium, Dark Bamboo or Light Poplar at no additional cost.

Power for the car comes from a 4,799cc engine fitted with Bi-VANOS and VALVETRONIC variable valve technologies to produce 355hp. The advanced engine is capable of propelling the car from zero to 62mph in 6.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 150mph. The 4.8-litre powerplant still records 22.6mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 299g/km – both figures that better rival products from Porsche and Audi.

The introduction of a new variant to the X5 range comes as the sales figures reveal that the model is exceeding original expectations. Customer demand for the BMW X5 means the model is forward sold until the end of 2007. The 3.0-litre diesel engined variant is still the most popular X5 accounting for more than 90 per cent of orders.

The BMW X5 4.8i M Sport costs Ј53,440 OTR. M Sport will be offered on 3.0d and 3.0si models later in 2007 and further details will be announced nearer the time.

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BMW 6-Series

BMW dieselfication of its coupe range goes all the way to the top. Well, all the way to the 6-Series, at least.

The ocularly challenging Six is set to go on sale with BMW's 3.0-litre twin turbo six-cylinder diesel engine and it will be called the 635d.

With 282bhp, the 635d does not disgrace the big coupe, managing 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds and hitting an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

There's a six-speed auto as standard with flappy paddles for a sportier feel, but the 635d will still return 40.9mpg on the combined cycle.

At the same time the diesel engine is introduced, BMW is sneaking in a minor restyle of the Six.

You'll have to pay close attention to spot the larger front air intake, reshaped headlights with LED indicators, and boot lid that now incorporates a high level brake light.

Under the skin, BMW says the petrol 630i's engine is more frugal, while inside there's a simplified iDrive system for all models. Which means that people other than computer programmers and rocket scientists will be able to adjust the aircon temperature.

And every 6-Series now also comes with regenerative braking - à la 1-Series - to save fuel and energy.

No prices yet for the tweaked 6-Series, but expect the 635d to weigh in at more than 50 grand when it reaches the UK.

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2009 Hyundai Genesis spy photos

Hyundai has begun testing redesigned prototypes of its future luxury car that are similar in appearance to the Genesis concept car that debuted earlier this year at the 2007 New York Auto Show.

The latest prototype's grille is trapezoidal, instead of the former prototype's round-cornered rectangle, and the grille slats are no longer vertical, but horizontal like the original concept.

The new car's headlights are more pointed, and they stretch back along the fenders, again mimicking the shape of the Genesis showcar's lights. The prototype's front bumper has been toned down, with more conventional foglamps integrated with a rounded lower air intake.

Although the sedan's profile hasn't been altered since the first prototype, the latest version shows a shark-fin antenna mounted on the roof. Nine-spoke wheels are nearly identical to those used on the showcar.

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Nissan Announces Pricing on 2008 Versa

The Nissan Versa enters its sophomore year with a $100 price bump on the hatchback model and a bit more sporty flair for the sedan version. The base 2008 Versa hatchback 1.8 S with a six-speed manual transmission starts at $13,275, including a $625 destination charge.

The top-of-the-line Versa hatchback 1.8 SL with a continuously variable transmission starts at $16,275, including shipping.

Nissan said the sport package, which was previously available on the Versa hatchback 1.8 SL, is now a $700 option on the Versa sedan 1.8 SL model. The sport package bundles a rear spoiler, lower body side sill extensions, a chin spoiler and foglights to the sedan model for 2008.

The 2008 Nissan Versa sedan ranges in price from $13,175 for the base 1.8 S model to $16,175 for the top-of-the-line 1.8 SL.

Nissan reports that the Versa had "strong sales momentum" in its freshman year, with combined sedan and hatchback sales topping more than 52,000 units in less than one year of production.

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Audi Announces Pricing on 2008 RS 4 Cabriolet

Audi said that its highly anticipated 2008 RS 4 Cabriolet will start at $82,675, including a $775 destination charge, when it goes on sale in the United States this fall.

But the actual price is still up in the air, since Audi said the gas-guzzler tax "will be determined prior to arrival in U.S. showrooms." The Fuel Economy Web Site said the gas-guzzler tax can range from $1,000 to $7,700, based on the combined mpg rating of a car in question. The federal tax is designed to "discourage the production and purchase of fuel-inefficient vehicles," according to the site.

The tax applies only to cars, not trucks.

The high-performance drop top is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine that churns out 420 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 317 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. It will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive.

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Volvo Treasure Promotion

Volvo thought its contest was a clever but innocent promotion for the XC90.
Tied in with the new Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End film from Disney, the promotion asked contestants from 22 countries to solve a series of online puzzles, culminating in a hunt for a real-life treasure chest buried somewhere at the bottom of the sea.
They didn't figure that the ship burying the chest would find a real treasure — or that the Spanish government would halt the whole enterprise while it was determined whether the treasure rightfully belongs to Spain.

Odyssey Marine Exploration, the company dispatched to bury the Volvo prize chest, selected a top-secret burial location off Gibraltar near Spain. While on the trip, however, Odyssey's crew found a fortune in silver coins elsewhere, deep in the Atlantic Ocean, in a 17th-century shipwreck they named the "Black Swan." The Spanish government — not knowing about the Volvo promotion because of Odyssey's agreement to keep it secret — suspected Odyssey of taking the booty from Spanish waters. While the issue is sorted out, the winner of the Volvo competition, Alena Zvereva from Ekaterinberg, Russia, can't get her hands on the keys to a new XC90 and $50,000 in gold coins that are tucked away on the sea floor in Volvo's treasure chest. Volvo promises she'll get the reward, although the trip out to get it from the ocean floor may not take place for a while, if at all.

"We wanted an adventure, and we certainly got one," quipped Volvo Cars of North America National Advertising Manager Linda Gangeri. Volvo's Web site for the promotion is called simply The Hunt.

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Nanjing Auto Preaches to Choir by Showcasing New MG TF at Silverstone MG Confab

Fittingly for a car that has long been the embodiment of the British car-enthusiast lifestyle, the new MG TF built in Longbridge, England, under Nanjing Auto Corporation (NAC) ownership greeted the public for the first time at the Silverstone racetrack this weekend.

The event was the 57th MG international race meeting at the legendary track, which calls itself "the home of British motor racing." The weekend also featured what organizers called the world's largest gathering of MG cars from the past eight decades.

NAC MG Sales and Marketing Director Gary Hagen was on-site to talk to MG lovers about the new model, which went into production at the end of May in Longbridge and goes on sale later this year.

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2007 Alpine Imprint RLS Demo Car based on Mercedes-Benz R500

(from Alpine Electronics) Making Its Mark: The IMPRINT RLS

The birth of the IMPRINT RLS marks the beginning of a new sonic era. While the exterior flaunts a sleek, elegant, one-of-a-kind style, the interior also houses the core Alpine IMPRINT sound technology – making its mark as the absolute show-stopping vehicle for 2007.

The IMPRINT RLS by birthright started off as a Mercedes Benz R500, and was slowly morphed into a car that transcends all laws of space and time. This futuristic concept-like car was brought to life by Alpine’s Advanced Application R&D team, Steve Brown, Gary Bell, Brent Davison with the help of Alpine Canada’s Glen Swackhamer and Rino Odorico.

Breathing life into the RLS required a complete dismantling, relocating, building, and reinforcing experiment. Extreme modifications include gas and brake pedal relocation to allow the car to be driven from either front seat. To continue Alpine tradition of unconventional door and seat combinations, the IMPRINT RLS features a unique rotating assembly allowing suicide doors to swing into the vehicle with the seat attached. In addition to motorized seats, there’s motorization going on in the rear with a custom motorized amp rack. This rack houses 6 PDX amplifiers that power the entire sound system and stealthily rotate out of the back of the SUV.

The body itself took massive hours of fiberglass, duraglas, grinding, primering, sanding, you name it. The end result bodes well for elegance as sleek lines and shadows define intricate details. A custom-mixed Carrizma Candy Cherry Cola paint gives the car a luminous effect, you’d swear the IMPRINT RLS dances depending on how much light shines on it. While the RLS is getting its groove on, you can’t miss its shoes: massive 26” and 30” custom TIS model 01 wheels.

The interior compliments the sophisticated theme with details such as Italian leather, rich Burl Wood inserts. Near the center console, a unique gauge pod with a custom clock and autometer gauges deliver the car’s vital signs. Continuous movement from the clock lets you know the IMPRINT RLS is alive and kicking. But most importantly, the interior was strictly designed to house the best sound possible with IMPRINT sound technology.

While the car itself will turn heads based on looks alone, it’s the sound quality inside that truly demonstrates Alpine IMPRINT sound architecture. The heart and brain of the IMPRINT RLS system unfolds from the Alpine CDA-9887, the new and true IMPRINT sound tuning head unit. The built in processor has over 500 adjustments for frequency and measures and adjusts time correction for you when hooked to the IMPRINT Specialist Tuning Kit. With IMPRINT, special software and microphone help analyze the car’s acoustical problems and automatically tunes the system for optimal sound processing. Not only does this cut down tuning time to less than half an hour, but it also achieves drastically improved sound stage, tonal balance and definition.

The sound system’s supporting cast includes the motorized PDX amplifiers, as mentioned, as well as SPX-17REF component speakers arranged in a D'Appolito configuration, and four SPX-1043D subwoofers to please all listeners. Added options include the Alpine KCA-SC100 which controls a SIRIUS Satellite Radio Sportster 4, and Alpine KCE-422i Full Speed connection for iPod for quick access of Apple Lossless-encoded music for a high-quality digital music experience.

Listeners swallowed inside the IMPRINT RLS can get a good dose of sound reproduction at its finest. Catch the IMPRINT RLS touring nationwide at select events throughout 2007.

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Hyundai i30

The Kia cee'd proved that although the Koreans might not know much about naming a car, they're certainly learning how to build one.

Slipstreaming the cee'd into the European market comes another Korean hatch, the Hyundai i30.

Yes, it sounds like the answer to the question, 'How old are you, Tarzan?', but you'd better get used to it: Hyundai is planning to follow the i30 with an i10, i20, i40 and, yes, you guessed it, i60.

Aimed firmly at the Ford Focus, Renault Megane et al, the i30 promises a leap in quality over previous-generation Hyundais, as well as more Euro-friendly styling.

It looks pleasantly inoffensive, and there's plenty of kit on board, too. Standard spec includes aircon, alloy wheels, ESP and Hyundai's five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Which is good, but not quite in the same league as the cee'd's seven-year bullet-proof guarantee.

There are three trims to pick from - Comfort, Style and Premium - and 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbodiesels.

With prices from the friendly side of 11 grand, the i30 could be a tempting little number when it arrives on these shores in September. Could it be better than the cee'd? We'll let you know as soon as we get our hands on one.

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Jaguar powered by apples

So we've seen cars powered by burger grease, orange juice, hemp and something called Jatropha Curcas seeds. Nope, still don't know what they are.

But what about rotting apples? In a move as selfless as it is eco-friendly, Somerset farmer Henry Hobson has converted his Jaguar XJ6 to run off methane produced from the decomposing fruit in his orchard.

The science is simple enough: Hobson fills two underground tanks with apples from his 10,000-tree orchard, and adds a soupcon of bacteria from cows' intestines (yes, seriously) to help the rotting along.

The gas emitted from the decomposition is filtered through water to remove the sulphur and carbon dioxide, leaving Hobson with lots of lovely pure methane. And lots of lovely cheap fuel.

Hobson reckons that - discounting the £3,000 it cost to convert his Jag - he saves more than two grand every year on fuel costs. And as an added bonus, the big ol' XJ6 is putting out about 10 per cent more power at very similar fuel economy to before.

So is apple-power the future? Hobson maintains that methane is 10 times more efficient to produce than bio-diesel. And, as well as presumably filling the air with the sweet smell of home-brew, his fuel has the advantage of keeping the doctor well away.

Now, if only we could harness all that methane that our cows produce. Volunteers, anyone?

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Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Mercedes-Benz said the finicky crowd at the Festival of Speed here had "an extremely positive reaction" to the unveiling of its new supercar, the SLR McLaren Roadster. The Roadster goes on sale in September.

To celebrate the festivities, the German automaker released a fresh batch of photos of the supercar, which sprints from zero to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 207 mph.

The SLR McLaren Roadster tackled the legendary hill-climb circuit six times during a weekend marked by a downpour of torrential rain as well as blue skies. The SLR McLaren Roadster is powered by a handmade AMG 5.5-liter supercharged V8 that kicks out 626 horses and 575 pound-feet of torque.

The SLR McLaren Roadster will be built at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in nearby Woking, England.

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2007 Edo Competition Porsche 997 Shark

2007 Edo Competition Porsche 997 Shark photos:


Specifications:

Engine : boxer-6 Weight
Aspiration : turbocharged
Torque : 583 lb-ft @ 2100 - 4900 rpm
HP : 542 hp @ 6000 rpm
0-62 mph : 3.5 seconds
Top Speed : 210 mph

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