New Mini With The Individual HAMANN Touch

The original Mini was known among other things for its go-kart-like handling. BMW has managed to transport precisely that into the new age, with the new edition of 2001. And the recently launched 2006 generation once again sparkles with the typical Mini characteristics. And HAMANN has of course once again taken on the current model. The Brit from Bavaria not only looks different after its visit to the health farm in Laupheim. The HAMANN Mini also sounds better, and drives with even more agility.

One thing is clear: you will attract attention with the Mini, even in standard trim. The exterior of the Mini could however convey a little more sportiness. HAMANN can help out in this respect, clothing the little runabout in some sporty gear. The HAMANN aerodynamics kit includes a front spoiler to reduce lift, a pair of side sills with integrated, brushed aluminum doorsills, and a two-piece rear diffuser.

Visually equipped in this way, it would not look out of place among the starters in the Mini Cup. The Mini draws even more attention as a result of the HAMANN flag-design decoration. This decoration is available in silver, anthracite or white. You can even apply it yourself, and it is available for the sides, the hood and the roof. Customers can order the components together (at a discount) or individually.

17″ and 18″ wheels

HAMANN offers three attractive wheel designs for the Mini. The HM4 is a 17″ model, which is a handsome one-piece alloy wheel with five spokes, finished in silver, and has the look of a multi-piece wheel. The PG4 design not only looks like it; it actually is a multi-piece wheel. The 18″ five-spoke wheel sports a polished lip. Once again a one-piece wheel, but nevertheless boasting an elegant multi-spoke design, we have the ANNIVERSARY I.

With its silver finish and its high-gloss polished INOX stainless steel lip on the outer rim flange, the ANNIVERSARY I is available in 18” form, combining great looks with a practical solution as the stainless steel lip is exchangeable and can easily be replaced in the event of damage.

Lexus Launches 2007 With New RX 350 Limited Edition

Lexus ushers in 2007 with a new addition to its RX range, the RX 350 Limited Edition. This special version of Lexus’s luxury SUV benefits from a higher specification at a price that represents exceptional customer value.

The Limited Edition is positioned in the RX range between the entry-level RX 350 and the RX 350 SE, offering a generous number of extra equipment features. These have a combined value of more than £3,500, but the Limited Edition has an on-the-road price only £2,500 more than the RX 350.

Special features of the Limited Edition include perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats that are eight-way electrically adjustable, a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and metallic paint.

These items are in addition to a standard specification that includes cruise control, eight-speaker sound system with in-dash six-CD autochanger, five-speed automatic transmission, leather trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, High Intensity Discharge headlights, rear dark-tinted privacy glass, climate control air conditioning, speed-sensitive power steering and a suite of nine cabin airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.

The Limited Edition is also available with the option of the Lexus Multimedia system, which comprises DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance; voice controls for audio, communications, ventilation and navigation functions; Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free mobile phone use; a Park Assist Monitor; 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-disc DVD autochanger and MP3/WMA compatibility; and an Electro Multi-Vision screen with touch-screen controls. This option package is not available on the entry-level RX 350 model.

Lexus’s bespoke in-car entertainment package is also available as an option, comprising a DVD player with twin monitors mounted neatly in the back of the front seat head restraints. Rear seat passengers can enjoy movies on the move, CDs, music from MP3 files, or, with the benefit of additional connectors (not supplied by Lexus), computer games. Infra red headsets are provided which allow passengers in the front to continue listening to the vehicle’s audio system undisturbed.

The RX 350 Limited Edition is available in Platinum Ice, Aleutian Grey and Brechin Slate metallic paint finishes with a choice of Oakham Ivory or Pembroke Black leather interiors. Power is from Lexus’s 272bhp (276 DIN hp) 3.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i petrol engine, which gives nought to 62mph acceleration in 7.8 seconds and 25.2mpg combined cycle fuel consumption.

Honda Says Fuel-cell Cars Can Be Mass-produced By 2018

Honda Motor Co., Japan’s third biggest vehicle maker, plans to begin leasing a pricy new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell car in Japan and the United States in 2008.

“By evolving a next model based on this, I think the level of technology will become very close to that of mass-produced ordinary vehicles within 10 years or so,” Honda president Takeo Fukui said in an interview with Kyodo News.

“In 2018, I believe the development (of a fuel-cell car) will have been very advanced,” he said. “It will become a real possibility to a large degree.”

The world’s leading carmakers are developing fuel-cell cars which drastically cut emissions. But the high price of such cars, currently estimated at more than 100 million yen (840,000 dollars) each, has been a major barrier to the commercialisation of hydrogen-powered cars.

Fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, leaving water as the only by-product. Fukui told Kyodo that there will be many customers who want to buy a Honda fuel-cell car if it goes on sale for 10 million yen in the general market.

Honda has already unveiled a so-called FCX concept model, a fully functional futuristic sedan concept car powered by a hydrogen fuel. But before the next-generation car becomes more common, Fukui said there are still some technological challenges the automaker needs to overcome.

He said the challenges include how to reduce the amount of noble metals used for fuel cells, how to improve hydrogen storage and how to make hydrogen at lower costs.

New Corsa VXR Revealed

The new Corsa has already caused quite a sensation with its bold styling and impressive road manners, but now Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off the ultimate version – the long awaited VXR. The performance flagship of the range is every inch a VXR, designed from the outset to deliver the ultimate in hot-hatch driving excitement and style.

Immediately distinguishable from other models in the new Corsa range, the three-door only VXR comes with several unique VXR styling cues. The mirrors, front foglamp surrounds and centre-exit exhaust tailpipe all have a triangular theme, while the aggressive front and rear bumpers are unique to this model.

GM’s New Electric Concept Car

General Motors announced last week the revival of its electric car. Their new design, the Volt, will mass market the electric car and use little to no gasoline.

The Volt draws its power from a next generation battery, the E-flex system, which is recharged by a small onboard engine. According to GM, when the battery is depleted, a 1L, three-cylinder turbocharged engine spins at a constant speed to create electricity and replenish the battery.

The motor will not provide forward propulsion and is only used to recharge the battery. The car is said to reach 40 miles on one charge and save close to 500 gallons of gasoline a year.

This new development sprouted from the failed EV1 project GM began in 1996 and abandoned in 2003. They were heavily criticized for abandoning the experimental electrical vehicle program, but with the Volt, GM hopes to improve on their previous ideas of the EV1.

Some improvements on the new model include more passenger space, longer battery life, smaller battery size, and higher cruising speeds.

While most ultra-clean and efficient vehicles on the market today use hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains, the Volt will use E85 fuel which is a blend of 85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Since the project is still in the concept stage, a final production version of the car is not projected for another 3 to 5 years.

Racing-look GEMBALLA Mirage GT With More Power

Around 1500 of Porsche’s prestige product, the Carrera GT, have been built, all of which have now been sold. Owners worried about the individuality of their vehicle, in spite of its rareness, would be well-advised to make an appointment with GEMBALLA.

Thanks to its expertise, as the only Porsche tuner GEMBALLA has comprehensively modified the high-tech car from Weissach, while at the same time adding an individual touch. In addition, performance addicts can obtain even more of what they want. The spectacular end product answers to the name of GEMBALLA Mirage GT and outshines its production-line counterpart in every respect.

New Smart Fortwo On Sale Mid-January

The new smart fortwo is available to order from all smart centers from Monday 15 January 2007. Customers will be pleased to hear that prices for the new vehicle are no higher than for previous models. The new smart fortwo coupé with 45 kW (61 bhp) is available in the pure equipment line at a price of € 9,490.

The new smart fortwo can do everything that the current model can do - but better. This means that the new smart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor.

The new smart fortwo will arrive on the market in April and will be available as both a coupé and a cabrio. There are two naturally aspirated petrol engine versions to choose from, delivering 45 or 52 kW (61 / 71 bhp) respectively, and one turbo engine rated at 62 kW (84 bhp). The diesel version, the smart fortwo cdi, has a power output of 33 kW (45 PS).

Smart fortwo cdi: There’s no more economical way of running a car
Despite the increased engine power, standard petrol consumption for the petrol versions is just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. And in the 45 kW and 52 kW versions, the smart fortwo coupé needs even less fuel: Here, standard consumption according to the NEDC is just 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The diesel version boasts even lower consumption. With standard consumption of just 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, the new smart fortwo cdi has the lowest consumption in its class. Or, to put it another way, at present there is no more economical car than the smart fortwo cdi.

With CO2 emissions of just 90 grams per kilometre, the smart fortwo cdi achieves “three litre” status. The diesel version of the new smart fortwo thus has the lowest CO2 emissions of any car on the market today.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Revealed

An impressive combination of ride comfort and agility is the hallmark of the new C-Class, which celebrated its world premiere in Stuttgart. In front of some 600 international journalists from over 30 countries, Mercedes-Benz presented the remake of its biggest-selling model series, which sets a new benchmark with its vigorously elegant styling, state-of-the-art safety technology and versatile product concept.

“With the new C-Class, we are yet again raising the bar in this important segment of the market – and that’s true right across the board, especially in terms of safety, comfort and agility,” declared Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG and head of the Mercedes Car Group, at the world premiere, which was held in the Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart. “With its unique balance of driving characteristics, the fourth C-Class generation embodies a new driving culture in the compact premium car segment. We are thus offering our customers the most versatile and majestic C-Class of all time – and, for the first time, in two attractive outfits.”

Mitsubishi Reveals Evo X In All But Name Along With New Lancer

Mitsubishi’s all-new Lancer saloon made its world debut at the show, along with an almost-finished concept for the forthcoming Lancer Evo X. The new Lancer sedan, which has continuously variable transmission (CVT) as an option for the first time, goes on sale in March while the Evo X will be available in the first quarter of 2008.

Prototype X is pretty much the Evo X – perhaps a slightly customised Evo X. Mitsubishi says the sheet metal is the same as the final version, though some of the features on the concept car might not make the final cut.

Under the bonnet, the Protoytype X has an all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine based on the standard new Lancer’s aluminium 4B11 DOHC MIVEC engine and a new electronic all-wheel-drive system called Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC). Prototype X also previews a new automated manual transmission with paddle shifters.

The drivetrain also combines an Active Centre Differential (ACD) with an Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential and Active Skid Control (ASC), which is designed to make the car more useable in everyday driving without compromising performance.

Jaguar XKR GT3 Revealed

Jaguar’s new XKR Coupé is being revealed to a new audience at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham, and in a new guise.

Buckingham-based Apex Motorsport, under the direction of Richard Lloyd, has developed the stunning XKR model for use in the FIA GT3 European Championship. It is being revealed in the ‘flesh’ for the first time to the world’s motorsport media at what is recognised to be globally one of biggest and most successful motorsport shows.

Lloyd and Apex have enjoyed huge racing success in the past, most recently with Bentley with whom they won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“It was obvious to us that the Jaguar name was missing from the list of GT3 contenders,” said Lloyd. “We believe the new XKR has great potential for success, and Team Manager Dave Ward and the guys have been working flat out since receiving our first car at the end of September. We’ve still got a mountain to climb with roll out and first test scheduled to take place within the next five weeks and, of course, the first race of the season at Silverstone in May. The first car is sold and we have received very positive interest for another two so we’re confident there will be plenty of Jaguars in the FIA paddock and in other emerging GT3 series around the world.”

While Apex has Jaguar’s blessing to compete with the XKR GT3, this is not a factory motorsport programme and the Apex race activities are independent of Jaguar. At the time of the programme’s announcement in September, Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, “We welcome this initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural race series in which to compete.”

Impreza RB320 In ‘Autosport Show’ Success

Subaru’s new Impreza RB320 has proven a runaway success at the recent ‘Autosport 2007 Show’, together with a special track day promotion in memory of the late rally hero, Richard Burns. Almost 300 places were snapped up for a two-hour spin around Prodrive’s Warwickshire circuit in the new special edition which had its public debut at the show at Birmingham’s NEC.

The lucky participants were transported from Subaru’s show stand over two days, having paid a £50 donation to the Richard Burns Foundation which helps those suffering from serious injury or illness.

And not only did Subaru raise more than £14,300 for the Foundation but now has 20-plus orders for the car which will have a limited run of 320 units.

Meanwhile, the ‘Autosport’ show itself has been praised by Subaru management for attracting a high quality of enthusiastic stand visitors. For example, the manufacturer sold more than £7,500 worth of accessories and clothing.

Based on the iconic Impreza WRX STI the RB320 is named after Richard Burns who died in November 2005 of cancer.
The new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 PS Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.

Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18 ins alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, an Eibach sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by
30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.

Also standard on the RB320 are a chrome mesh front grille, front lip spoiler, quickshift gearchange, side sill plates and RB320-branded gear knob, carpet mats and exclusive exterior badging. Each owner will also receive an individually numbered black alloy tax disc holder.

The PPP boosts power to 320 PS at 6,000 rpm with torque leaping to 332 lb ft at 3,700 rpm. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds with a 0-100 mph time of 12.2 seconds.

First deliveries of the RB320 are due in March with the first 50 customers being invited to a special celebrity driveaway and track day – again at Prodrive’s Warwickshire circuit.

Fiat - The Fastest Growing Auto Brand In The UK

Following a consistently strong sales performance throughout 2006, Italian auto maker, Fiat, has confirmed its position as the fastest growing automotive brand in the UK, with annual sales of 58,831 units - up by over 64% year-on-year - in a market down by 3.9% over the same period.

In percentage terms, the company’s 2006 market share stands at 2.51%, compared with 1.47% (35,828 units) the previous year.

Led by the huge success of the company’s stylish new Grande Punto, which went on sale here at the beginning of 2006 to widespread acclaim, Fiat’s performance in this sector of the market (B-segment), has been particularly noteworthy, and despite a number of key product introductions from competitors, only Fiat’s Punto has exhibited dramatic growth - 140% year-on-year.

Fiat Auto’s UK breakthrough has also been assisted by factors such as the steadily increasing penetration of its expanding Panda range in A-segment (over 9500 units compared to 8900 in 2005), and the arrival of the new Sedici 4WD SUV, latterly with a MultiJet diesel option.

“Obviously the Fiat team in the UK is pleased to have achieved the goals we set ourselves for 2006? says Giulio Salomone, managing director of Fiat Auto UK, “but we will be working hard to consolidate the relaunch of our brand in the UK, with some additions to our Grande Punto range, and with the launch of our fantastic new Bravo here this summer, along with key priorities, such as network development, customer satisfaction, business sales and the internet; as we prepare for the introduction of our stunning new baby, the Cinquecento, early in 2008. This iconic car is already beginning to capture the public’s imagination, and I am certain it will play a key role in taking our brand to another level.

“Customer awareness of our company is rising rapidly, and our latest TV advertising with Grande Punto reflects the younger buyer profile we are attracting.”

Fiat Auto UK’s successful 2006 has produced media awards for both Grande Punto (Scottish Small Car of the Year and Autocar magazine’s Design Award), Panda ( Auto Express City Car of the Year), and Sedici (a Towcar of the Year and Planet 4×4 magazine category winner), but the company has also laid the foundations for significant improvements in its customer service, and is working with J.D. Power on a bespoke Customer Contact Programme which is now in its seventh month of operation.

“We have worked hard to achieve our 2006 result,” says Giulio Salomone, “but we have many more challenges ahead of us, and in 2007 we shall be closely focused on our dealers and on the service we offer to our customers, along with the launch of our fantastic new Bravo in the summer.”

Chevrolet HHR Premiere Edition To Debut In Detroit

Chevrolet announced the HHR Premiere Edition, which features a special Cappuccino Frost Metallic exterior color and a special Ebony/Gray two-tone interior. Only 4,000 HHR Premiere Editions will be built.

The HHR Premiere Edition begins production early in the first quarter of 2007; it is based on the popular HHR 2LT. The Premiere Edition package is priced at $995 MSRP and includes the following features:

- Seventeen-inch black chrome wheels
- Black chrome exterior package
- Front fog lamps with smoked lenses
- Headlamps with smoked lenses
- Color-keyed running boards
- Color-keyed outside rearview mirrors
- Exterior accent stripe
- Aero wing rear spoiler
- Black, roof-mounted side rails
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching
- Custom floor mats
- Cappuccino Frost Metallic exterior color
- Ebony/Gray two-tone interior

The HHR 2LT equipment includes a 2.4L Ecotec engine, FE3 sport suspension, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power outside mirrors, cruise control and remote keyless entry. Also standard is a 260-watt Pioneer sound system with subwoofer, including a front-mounted auxiliary input jack so that an iPod or similar device can be played through the audio system.

BMW 3 Series Coupe By HAMANN

BMW’s trump card in the two-door sedan segment is the 3 Series coupe. This elegantly proportioned model lends itself perfectly to accentuating its sporty appeal by adding new details. HAMANN from Laupheim also shares this opinion and adorns the 3 Series coupe an aerodynamics kit, power boosts, new wheel rims and a stylish interior.

Power boosts for petrol engines and diesels

HAMANN boosts the power in this coupe by means of optimized curve maps. In other words, the electronic power boost is achieved by recalibrating the standard ECU.

The six-cylinder petrol engines 325i and 330i receive a boost of 13 bhp / 10 kW and 17 bhp / 12 kW and in both cases around 25 Nm torque. The top speed goes up to 250 and 265 km/h respectively (standard: 325i 245 km/h, 330i 250 km/h). In the 330i, the price includes the deactivation of the 250 km/h speed restriction.

Austin Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Perfectly proportioned, with a low purposeful stance, the Vantage Roadster is uncompromisingly modern yet also incorporates classic Aston Martin design cues. The elegant lines are fused with traditional craftsmanship and striking 21st century style, with an interior hand-trimmed and finished in the finest quality genuine materials.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience.

“The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember.”

The Vantage Roadster will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, near Warwickshire in the UK, joining the current Aston Martin line-up. This now comprises the flagship Vanquish S, the elegant DB9 and the agile V8 Vantage Coupe.

Design
The design of the Vantage Roadster is elegant and uncompromising, a single fluid form with characteristic attention to detail, both inside and out, representing the open sports car in its purest form.

The Vantage Roadster represents the latest evolution of Aston Martin’s synthesis of craft and technology. From the beautifully hand stitched leather seats to the hand-finished bodies, to the ultra-modern Aston Martin V8 engine, hand-assembled at a dedicated, high-technology facility in Cologne, Germany, the Vantage Roadster is an exclusive, advanced and uniquely desirable sports car.

2007 Volvo

The Volvo V70 is the UK’s best-selling, large premium estate car and, for 2007, Volvo is introducing a high specification, great value V70 Special Edition Sport model, at the same time as simplifying the rest of the V70 range. The Special Edition Sport is equipped with a number of sporty additions1 including leather sports upholstery, unique 5 spoke wheels, chronograph instruments, rear spoiler, speed dependent steering and colour co-ordinated front and rear lower spoilers and lower side mouldings.

This model also offers exceptional value with prices starting from £24,310 (on the road) for the 2.4 (170PS) model. Priced at just £500 above the entry-level S specification and £1,300 less than the Sport model it replaces, the new Special Edition Sport is available with a choice of three of Volvo’s five-cylinder engines – a 2.4 (170PS) petrol and two diesels, a 2.4D (163PS) and D5 (185PS). All engines are available to order immediately with a choice of manual, automatic or Geartronic transmissions.

Both 2.4 and D5 diesel engines have a relatively low CO2 emission figure of 179g/km, which is good news for company motorists. A 22% tax payer will pay just £117 per month to get behind the wheel of the 2.4D or £121 for the more powerful D5 Special Edition Sport4.

Kia Sandstorm

Audi Dynamic Space Frame

Honda Extreme

Mercedes Recy

Cool Futuristic Concept Cars

Porsche Releases Initial Details and Photos Of 2008 Cayenne

Four years after their stunning debut in the world market, the next generation of the highly successful Porsche Cayenne and its Turbo and S variants will be seen for the first time at next month’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The trio of Porsche SUVs incorporates attractive new styling, enhanced engine performance, and innovative handling technology.

To increase power and torque, as well as fuel economy, the engines on all three new Cayenne models are equipped with direct gasoline injection, known at Porsche as Direct Fuel Injection (DFI). To improve the Cayenne’s already exceptional handling, directional stability, and ride comfort, an inventive new Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) is available as an option on each of the new SUVs.

More information on the new Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo will be available at the NAIAS Porsche press conference on January 8. Designated as 2008 models, the trio of new Porsche SUVs will arrive at North American Porsche dealerships in March of 2007.

Public Debut For New Toyota Auris At The Bologna Motor Show

The new Toyota Auris makes its European debut this week at the Bologna motor show in Italy, ahead of UK sales starting on 1 February next year. Designed and built in Europe, the new C-segment family hatchback marks significant advances in dynamic ability, interior style and practicality and safety.

The unveiling of the production model follows the presentation of Toyota’s Auris Space Concept at the Paris motor show earlier this year. Full details of UK specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the model’s on-sale date.