Car NEWS log

posted by admin on Jan 31

Dodge will introduce the 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) and expects to stir the crowd in the City of Angels. Dodge is also quite excited and has already released the details and technical specifications of the Viper SRT10 ACR ahead of its official debut in 2007 LA Auto Show.

According to Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing and Communications, Chrysler LLC: “With the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, SRT has taken the ultimate American sports car and injected it with an extra dose of racing DNA. With the Viper SRT10 as the starting point, SRT engineered a combination of reduced weight, race-tuned suspension and aerodynamic improvements to create the ultimate Viper for the street and track.”

As expected in a Dodge Viper model, the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR comes with a bold and aggressive exterior styling plus sporty appearance. Five paint color schemes are available for the Viper SRT10 ACR including Viper Red, Viper Black, Viper Violet, Viper Bright Blue Metallic, and Viper Very Orange. This is highlighted by a signature two-tone paint scheme with a black center section. A Viper SRT10 monotone paint with body color rear wing and dual painted Viper stripes is also available.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR also comes with other exterior components like “fanged” front splitter, adjustable rear wing sculpted by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), high mounted rear spoiler, lightweight filler panels replacing the fog lamps, and lightweight forged aluminum Sidewinder wheels. The wheels are painted with gloss black to complete the overall exterior package. Inside, the Viper SRT10 ACR also features some interior features identical to the Viper SRT10 base model but the ACR model added new features like the optional “Hard Core” package that reduces the car’s weight by about 40 pounds.

Powering the all new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a monstrous 8.4-liter aluminum V10 engine. This powerful unit can pump out a stunning 600 horsepower and pulls out 560 lb. ft. amount of peak torque. Features of this engine include deep-skirted V10 aluminum engine block, Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC shaped combustion chambers, Variable Valve Timing (VVT), and two-piece intake manifold. Unlike the Saab sports car models with Saab starter, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is equipped with platinum-tip spark plugs in the ignition system.

Dodge offers the latest Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission (TR6060) with the GKN ViscoLok speed-sensing limited-slip differential to complete the powertrain package.

According to Dodge, the 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR will roll out in the U.S. market starting in the second quarter of 2008 carrying a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $100,000 USD.

posted by admin on Jan 31

Volvo Group Launches New Domain Names
“The Volvo Group (Nasdaq:VOLV) (STO:VOLVA) (STO:VOLVB) has launched new official domain names, VolvoGroup.com and VolvoKoncernen.se. These are effective immediately as start pages for information about the Volvo Group. The old domain names Volvo.com and Volvo.se now function as redirecters for those interested in companies working with the Volvo brand.”- PR-Inside.com

S. Granville-Smith, InsideDomaining.com

posted by admin on Jan 31

Texas is facing a great pickup battle having Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota as contenders. Toyota Motor Corp., meanwhile, works to lure true truckers in Texas to win over more customers. This is why it has unleashed its redesigned Tundra to steal a portion of Ford F-150’s sales. But the best-selling pickup is not the only potent rival. There is the new Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram. Moreover, the Japanese automaker is expected to exert extra effort in order for its goal to materialize.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, Ford F-Series dived nearly 3.6 percentage points across the nation to hold 30.7 percent of the market. In Texas, the models lost 5.5 points to fall to 31.9 percent, reported the Michigan-based R.L. Polk & Co. In comparison, the Tundra, sources divulged recorded nearly 3.5 points nationwide and 3.7 in Texas in its first year since a major redesign.

“Those numbers might not seem huge, but when you consider truck buyers are second only to luxury buyers in terms of loyalty, Ford’s drop and Toyota’s climb are significant,” said Lonnie Miller, the director of industry analysis at Polk. “There’s no doubt been a very aggressive push by Toyota.”

“We certainly had a lot more full-size pickups traded in for Tundras in ‘07,” said Tom Shopoff, the director of truck support for Gulf States Toyota, a network of dealerships that includes statewide Tundra best-seller Fred Haas Toyota World in Spring. “We have a tremendous product.”

But Shopoff predicted the Tundra would see a bubble burst. “You’ve seen the big bubble,” he noted.

Increased competition from Toyota comes at a time when auto sales in general and pickup sales in particular, are down, according to Houston Chronicle. Auto sales in 2007 fell 2.4 percent, and large pickups were down 2.7 percent, Libby said in an interview.

“That means more competition, which in turn means more incentives and lower prices,” Libby concluded. “The winner in all this is the consumer.”

posted by admin on Jan 30

Toyota might be showing some light at the end of the tunnel in their motorsports program. Things seemed to click at Daytona where Toyota looked good in testing. But basically Toyota is an also ran in F-1 and the sports car racing realm.

I guess with the success of the Prius, it seems only natural that Toyota tries to field a hybrid race car. Watch out Le Mans 2010. Toyota looks like they will be hauling a hybrid to the 24 hours.

Any bets on their chance of winning?? Is there such a thing as infinity to 1?

See full article.

posted by admin on Jan 29

Buick Riviera Concept

There was a generous amount of environmental concepts at the Detroit Auto Show, like the trio from Saturn, the offerings from Chevy, the plug-ins from Ford. All well and good. But, it’s always the wacky ones that I’m drawn to. The colors, shapes, and the images they drum up for me. I find it inspiring. A few of my favorites…

Mazda Taiki is the fourth in Mazda’s series of concept cars that are inspired by environmental forces like wind, water and sand dunes. The theme of Taiki is flow.

Taiki (translated as atmosphere in Japanese) is a two seat sports car with the next generation rotary engine, a drag coefficient of .25, Ozone silver paint that glows from within and doors that open like a vampire’s cape. Sitting on 22-inch tires, this otherworldly design was inspired by elements as disparate as a raked Japanese garden to the legend of Hagoromo where a celestial maiden uses her cascading robes to fly through space.

The interior, motivated by the visual cues of colorful carp streamers decorating the May skies in Japan, has a white lounge chair for the passenger and a black seat for the driver. Why black? It helps concentration. A transparent roof brings in the light and all of the switches are integrated into the steering wheel so the driver can keep her hands on the wheel.

The gull-wing, front-wheel-drive Buick Riviera concept coupe was developed with design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM, PATAC designers looked to Buick icons and Eastern influences.

I was wild for the colors. The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have “icy green” backlighting available at night, matched by backlit logo and exhausts at the rear. The metallic silver exterior color used light blue accents to highlight the coupe’s curves. On the inside, the celestial theme is played up by a glass roof and strips of green light on the console and door liners.

This is one for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thought up by a trio of young designers, the open air Hummer Hx concept is a 4-person convertible with removable roof panels and doors. Powered by a 3.6L SIDI V-6 E85 FlexFuel engine with six-speed automatic transmission this land shark can be configured as an SUT (with the roof assembly removed), a hip slant-back or a wagon.

And I was drawn to the plump shape of Hyundai’s Veloster (a play on the words velocity and roadster) Coupe Concept outfitted with FWD! Described as a classic 2+2, the sportster has a panoramic glass roof and gets power from a 2.0-liter DOHC Theta inline 4-cylinder 5-speed automatic.

posted by admin on Jan 29

Volvo is on the cusp of entering the midsize SUV fray to compete with the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes GLK, Acura RDX and the upcoming Audi Q5. Volvo prototypes often elude spies, but today our photographers spotted the crossover in Sweden. Volvo unveiled a concept version of the XC60 over […]

posted by admin on Jan 28

The Minivan of the Future, The Nissan Forum Concept Car which debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The Forum will make any Soccer Mom or Dad feel younger. the Forum features a two-seat second-row bench seat with motorized swiveling that can face forward or turn to face the third-row seats. When you open the doors at the rear. The rear hatch creates an exterior sound system.

posted by admin on Jan 27

In Chrysler ecoVoyager can be found the romance of driving, a place where you can enter on one of the four doors that have pure american design. Made for clients that want elegance and simplicity, this model wins important space for the interior because of the very little sizes of the engine. The engine is based on the technology “fuel cell” end it’s helped by a lithium-ion batteries set. This car can walk about 480 km without polluting.

This car has a high f 1,6m and a total length of 4.856 cm.

posted by admin on Jan 27

Toyota has released prices on the all-new 2009 Corolla Sedan (see details and images here) that will begin arriving at dealerships in February. Available in five grades – Standard, LE, XLE, the sporty S, and the performance-driven XRS, the Corolla is offered with a pair of 4-cylinder engines, a 132 …

posted by admin on Jan 27

Buick Riviera Concept

There was a generous amount of environmental concepts at the Detroit Auto Show, like the trio from Saturn, the offerings from Chevy, the plug-ins from Ford. All well and good. But, it’s always the wacky ones that I’m drawn to. The colors, shapes, and the images they drum up for me. I find it inspiring. A few of my favorites…

Mazda Taiki is the fourth in Mazda’s series of concept cars that are inspired by environmental forces like wind, water and sand dunes. The theme of Taiki is flow.

Taiki (translated as atmosphere in Japanese) is a two seat sports car with the next generation rotary engine, a drag coefficient of .25, Ozone silver paint that glows from within and doors that open like a vampire’s cape. Sitting on 22-inch tires, this otherworldly design was inspired by elements as disparate as a raked Japanese garden to the legend of Hagoromo where a celestial maiden uses her cascading robes to fly through space.

The interior, motivated by the visual cues of colorful carp streamers decorating the May skies in Japan, has a white lounge chair for the passenger and a black seat for the driver. Why black? It helps concentration. A transparent roof brings in the light and all of the switches are integrated into the steering wheel so the driver can keep her hands on the wheel.

The gull-wing, front-wheel-drive Buick Riviera concept coupe was developed with design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM, PATAC designers looked to Buick icons and Eastern influences.

I was wild for the colors. The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have “icy green” backlighting available at night, matched by backlit logo and exhausts at the rear. The metallic silver exterior color used light blue accents to highlight the coupe’s curves. On the inside, the celestial theme is played up by a glass roof and strips of green light on the console and door liners.

This is one for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thought up by a trio of young designers, the open air Hummer Hx concept is a 4-person convertible with removable roof panels and doors. Powered by a 3.6L SIDI V-6 E85 FlexFuel engine with six-speed automatic transmission this land shark can be configured as an SUT (with the roof assembly removed), a hip slant-back or a wagon.

And I was drawn to the plump shape of Hyundai’s Veloster (a play on the words velocity and roadster) Coupe Concept outfitted with FWD! Described as a classic 2+2, the sportster has a panoramic glass roof and gets power from a 2.0-liter DOHC Theta inline 4-cylinder 5-speed automatic.