Update: 2009 Toyota Avensis High-Res Photo

As we told you last Friday, Toyota will perform the global debut of its new D-Segment sedan, the 2009 Avensis on 2 October at the Paris International Motor show. The new Avensis is the third generation of the model to be built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, UK. The Japanese automaker has yet to reveal any specific information on its new European sedan, but Toyota did say that the 2009 Avensis will features a new range of engines that are both more powerful and emit less CO2. The new Avensis is due to go sale in Europe in January 2009, with full details and pricing to be announced later in the year. -Continued

Hyundai Recalling 65,000 Elantras in the States

Hyundai is planning to recall 65,000 MY’08 Elantra models with 2.0 liter beta engines in the Unites Stated. According to NHTSA, the fuel pump motor in these models may not have the proper uniform internal electrical surface contact which cause it to produce less pumping pressure than required to supply the fuel injection system. Hyundai said that this could result to poor engine starting, hesitation and other performance issues. The Korean automaker said that its dealers will replace the fuel pump subassembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in the States during September 2008.

Kicherer Mercedes-Benz C 320CDi 4-Matic Estate

German tuning firm has Kicherer has presented its latest creation based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate and in particular on the 320 CDI 4 Matic model, On the outside, Kicherer added an AMG bodykit which is further enhanced by the lowered suspension and the new 19-inch RS-1 alloy wheels wrapped around in performance tires. Inside the Germans added a new speedometer, a leather/wood steering wheel and a two-tone leather trim that also covers the dashboard. -Continued

Under the hood, Kicherer performed a series of upgrades on the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine which now develops an output of 265 HP and 600Nm of torque, up from 224 HP and 510Nm respectively. According to Kicherer, the tuned C 320CDi 4-Matic Estate can now go from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: Kicherer

Groovy Slot Car Creation

Now you may wonder why one or in this case, two people would go into all that trouble to build an unwieldy two-piece slot car race track in the… rear end of two Volkswagen Polos. True, it’s stupendously absurd to put so much work into a detailed creation in the back of your car, but on the other hand, that’s what makes it so damn cool; building something like this just for kicks! Follow the jump for a close-up photo of the slot car race track. -Continued

Via: Cardomain , Source: Volksforum

Video: Kia Forte’s Design Explained by Peter Schreyer

Everyone has their own opinion on the Forte’s design but let's hear what the man behind the subcompact sedan’s styling, Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, has to say about the Korean carmaker’s latest creation. Schreyer moved to Kia in 2006 after working for more than a decade at Audi and VW. The German designer is best known for his work in Audi and chiefly for establishing the Bauhaus-inspired styling which is still evident in Audi’s line-up. Among the cars he is credited with are the previous generation Audi TT and the Volkswagen Concept-R roadster. Watch the video after the jump and tell us what you think. -Continued

America’s 10 Most Leased Vehicles: It’s All about German Luxury Cars

The easiest way to get behind the wheel of an expensive luxury / sports car if you can’t afford to buy it cash or through a loan is to lease it. Basically, what you do in leasing is that instead of putting a loan for the entire cost of a vehicle, you borrow an amount for the cost of a car brand new minus what it will be worth (estimated value) at the end of the leasing period. This results to lower monthly payments even though you’ll have to pay an extra amount if you want to keep the car.

Even though most automaker’s in the U.S. are beginning to either cut back on leasing like BMW and General Motors or quit it altogether like Chrysler, this form of ownership remains quite popular in the luxury car segment. According to a study from .D. Power & Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) that was published on 'BusinessWeek', the 10 most commonly leased vehicles in the U.S. belong to the luxury segment. -Continued

From the 10 vehicles with the highest lease share, seven belong to German automakers with four of those being BMWs. The 7-Series tops the list with a lease share in 2008 of 85.3% (!) followed by Saab’s 9-7x with an equally mind-blowing, 82.2%.

BMW 7 Series

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 85.3%
Starting price: $77,625
Sales through July 2008: 8,190
Sales through July 2007: 8,634
Percent change: -5.1%

Saab 9-7X

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 82.2%
Starting price: $41,145
Sales through July 2008: 2,321
Sales through July 2007: 3,259
Percent change: -28.8%

Audi A6

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 74.1%
Starting price: $42,950
Sales through July 2008: 6,321
Sales through July 2007: 6,410
Percent change: -1.4%

BMW Z4

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 70.7%
Starting price: $37,525
Sales through July 2008: 4,116
Sales through July 2007: 5,420
Percent change: -24.1%

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 70%
Starting price: $52,775
Sales through July 2008: 25,101
Sales through July 2007: 25,473
Percent change: -1.5%

Land Rover Range Rover

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 69.6%
Starting price: $78,450
Sales through July 2008: 4,775
Sales through July 2007: 6,610
Percent change: -27.8%

BMW 6 Series

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 68.6%
Starting price: $77,425
Sales through July 2008: 4,218
Sales through July 2007: 5,190
Percent change: -18.7%

Audi A4/S4

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 68%
Starting price: $32,700
Sales through July 2008: 26,770
Sales through July 2007: 25,205
Percent change: +6.2%

BMW X3

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 67.3%
Starting price: $39,425
Sales through July 2008: 11,257
Sales through July 2007: 16,926
Percent change: -33.5%

Jaguar XJ Sedan

2008 lease share through Aug. 10: 65.8%
Starting price: $64,500
Sales through July 2008: 1,514
Sales through July 2007: 2,500
Percent change: -39.4%

Via: BusinessWeek , Data: J.D. Power & Associates' Power Information Network

GM Recalling Nearly 1 Million Vehicles Worldwide on Electrical Issue

General Motors will be sending letters to more than 944,000 owners worldwide, 857,735 of which are located in the U.S., due to voluntary recall that affects 16 cars and SUVs from 2006 to 2008. The huge recall involves vehicles fitted with a heated washer fluid system that could short circuit causing other electrical features to malfunction and lead to smoke or even fire. According to GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, up until now, there have been three reported fires related to the problem. GM said that its dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. See the affected models after the jump. -Continued

MAKE / MODEL - YEAR

• BUICK / ENCLAVE -2008
• BUICK / LUCERNE - 2006-2008
• CADILLAC / DTS - 2006-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE - 2007-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE ESV - 2007-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE EXT - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / AVALANCHE - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / SILVERADO - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / SUBURBAN - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / TAHOE - 2007-2008
• GMC / ACADIA - 2007-2008
• GMC / SIERRA - 2007-2008
• GMC / YUKON - 2007-2008
• GMC / YUKON XL -2007-2008
• HUMMER / H2 - 2006-2008
• SATURN / OUTLOOK - 2007-2008

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX 265HP Priced from $24,995

Today, Subaru announced U.S. pricing on its revised 2009 Impreza line up (see details and photos here) that includes the more powerful WRX that gets a 41 HP bump, now delivering 265 HP and the newly introduced 224 HP 2.5 GT model. The Impreza WRX sedan has a starting price of $24,995 (from $24,350 for the outgoing 224 HP MY’08 WRX) while the hatchback is priced at $25,495 (from $24,850).

Both variants of the WRX are available exclusively with a 5-speed manual transmission, and apart from the more powerful 2.5-liter boxer engine, they also get larger 225/45 R17 lower profile summer performance tires, 17-inch alloy wheels, an Aero Package, STI rear spoiler (only 5-door), WRX upholstery w/red stitching and WRX logo on front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and red stitching, and STI type grille w/WRX badge. -Continued

The new Impreza 2.5GT 4 door that’s powered by the MY’08 WRX’s 224 HP boxer engine and teamed exclusively to a standard 4-speed automatic transmission and Active AWD version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive has a starting price of $26,995 and is powered by 224-hp intercooled turbo Boxer engine. The all-new 2.5GT model also features Impreza Premium Package equipment, including new power glass moonroof, plus All-Weather Package. The comparatively equipped 5-door version of the Impreza 2.5GT is priced at $27,495.

The Impreza 2.5i 4 door, equipped with manual transmission, will have a starting price of $17,495. While the 2.5i 5 door, also equipped with manual transmission, will have a starting price of $17,995. Pricing for the Outback Sport models remains unchanged starting at $19,995 as does pricing for the Impreza WRX STI model starting at $34,995. According to Subaru, destination and delivery for all 2009 Impreza models is $665 ($815 for dealers in Alaska).

Nismo Launches Club Sport Package for new Nissan GT-R

Nissan’s official motorsports and performance division, NISMO has finally released a new range of performance accessories for the 2009 GT-R under the name ‘Club Sport Package”. Starting with the chassis enhancements, Nissan’s in-house tuner offers a set of race-spec Bilstein Damptronic adjustable dampers, stiffer front (18.5kg/mm) and rear springs(9.6 kg/mm) and new 20-inch Rays forged aluminum wheels wrapped around in Bridgestone RE070R run-flat tires, sized 225/40 and 285/35, front and rear. -Continued

For those wanting to shave off a few extra pounds, NISMO’s new lightweight exhaust system that comes with a carbon fiber under-tray designed to reduce drag will remove 11 pounds from the GT-R’s overall weight while the carbon fiber backed and leather trimmed bucket seats that retain the side airbags but ditch the electronic adjustments, will save you an extra 13 pounds.

If you go for the full Monty, the Club Sport will cost you ¥5,460,000 or about $50,000 / €34,000. For the time being, the NISMO’s tuning parts for the GT-R are available only in Japan.

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: NISMO

Toyota iQ to be Fully Revealed at Paris Auto Show

Following the iQ concept car at the Frankfurt show in 2007 and the production design version at this year’s Geneva Salon in March, Toyota will fully reveal its new micro car at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. Since we already know what the iQ will look like, what we’re waiting to find out is all the technical details on Toyota’s new micro car that will go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year - early 2009 (depending on the market). At 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high, the iQ is only slightly larger than Mercedes’ Smart Fortwo, but thanks to its comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase and smart interior packaging, Toyota says that it can fit three adults plus a child or luggage in comfort. -Continued

According to the Japanese automaker, the iQ has been designed to meet five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety standards. In an earlier announcement, Toyota said that the iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. Full production of the iQ will start during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected worldwide in the microcar’s first full year in the market.

Video: 2010 Chevy Volt & Corvette Concept at Transformers 2 Movie Set

We finally managed to find the amateur video from the ‘Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen’ movie set that we told you about in our previous post. The video shows what appears to be the production version (or pretty damn close to production) of the 2010 Chevrolet Volt along with shots of the Bumblebee Chevrolet Camaro, the Chevrolet Beat, the Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Design Concept and some other Chevys during the filming of a scene for the new TransChevys, err we mean Transformers 2 movie. Watch the video after the jump. -Continued

New SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive with Low Emissions and Reduced Consumption

After the unveiling of the top-of-the-range Cupra model –see here, SEAT introduced its most frugal and eco-friendly version of the new Ibiza. Available in both 5-door and SportCoupe (3-door) forms, the Ibiza Ecomotive is equipped with VW Group’s 80 HP 1.4 TDI turbo diesel engine with a DPF particulate filter. According to the Spanish carmaker, the Ibiza Ecomotive features a reduced CO2 emissions figure of only 99 g/km while consumption is also low; however, SEAT hasn’t released any official figures yet. -Continued

Along with the updated engine software, the Ibiza Ecomotive also features revisions to the gearbox and the gear ratios, low resistant 175/70 R14 tires and improved aerodynamics through the new closed front grille and new rear spoiler that reduce resistance to movement and therefore decrease mechanical effort as well as fuel consumption and emissions.

Opening picture edited by Infiniti Future Cars

BMW to Present X1 SUV Concept at Paris, Z4 Roadster at Detroit Show

Updating our previous report on BMW’s forthcoming presentations –see what we said in June by clicking here, we’ve received official confirmation that the Bavarian automaker will indeed present an X1 SUV Concept at the Paris Auto Show in October. The prototype model will give us an idea of how the production version of BMW’s 1-Series based SUV/Crossover will look like when it enters the market at the end of 2009 or early 2010. -Continued

Although we knew that BMW was getting ready to present the Z4 roadster’s successor, up until now, we weren’t sure where the unveiling would take place and if it would be a concept or the production model.

Now we can reveal to you that BMW will take the wraps off the actual production version at next January’s 2009 Detroit Auto Show. However, from what we learnt, we won’t have to wait until January as BMW will give us a sneak-peek of its new roadster just before the end of the year. Unlike the current Z4 that is built in the U.S., BMW’s new two-seater will be manufactured in the company’s German plant in Regensburg.

2009 Toyota Avensis – First Official Image!

The first official photo of the next-generation Toyota Avensis has been leaked into the internet well before the mid-size sedan’s scheduled debut at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show on October 2. The Avensis, which you could call Toyota’s European equivalent of the American Camry (the two models share nothing in common), has been fully redesigned featuring a crispier and more dynamic styling than the outgoing model. We don’t have all the details in our hands yet, but in previous talks we had with Toyota Europe’s people, the new Avensis will get a new line-up of engines with lower consumption and reduced CO2 figures.

Alfa Romeo GT Coupe Redesigned by Fan to Resemble 8c Competizione

We’re not aware when and if at all, Alfa Romeo will update its GT Coupe, but in the case that the Italian automaker does decide to present a facelift version of the compact 4-seater coupe in the near future, this rendering from ‘Autoblog.it’ reader Luciano seems to hit the spot. Inspired from Alfa Romeo’s latest models, the 8c Competizione and the MiTo, Luciano completely redesigned the front end of the GT Coupe replacing the rectangular headlights with the sexier oval-shaped lights found in Alfa’s exotic supercar. Admittedly, we prefer Luciano’s version of the Italian coupe over the original design. Hopefully someone at Alfa might agree with us.

Via: Autoblog.it

Inden-Design Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC with 415HP

The German-based tuning firm Inden-Design has released a new performance package for the Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC. In the standard S 500 4MATIC, the 5.5-litre V8 engine produces an output of 388 HP accelerating the all-wheel-drive luxury sedan from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 seconds. Thanks to the reprogrammed engine control unit (ECU), Inden-Design has managed to add another 27 HP to the 5.5 V8 raising its total output to 415 HP. Other than that, the Inden-Design prepped S500 4MATIC’s suspension has been lowered by 45mm and it also features a sport exhaust system with four tailpipes and new 20-inch BBW LeMans alloy wheels in 245/35R20 tires in front and 285/30R20 at the rear. -Image gallery after the jump