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First art imitates life and now video games do the same, with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Nissan having joined forces to create the GT Academy. Over the course of eight months, the academy culled a group of wannabe racers from a field of entrants who posted the best lap times in GT5 Prologue. Then, for five days at Silverstone, the finalists competed in the game and on the actual track, watched by ex-F1 racer Johnny Herbert and a panel of five judges. Read All


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The 2001 VW Microbus concept was really cool; so much so that it looked like it was headed for 2005 production. Then the project started getting expensive at the same time the U.S. dollar began to hit the skids. So, then-boss Bernd Pischetsrieder swung the axe, and it was curtains for the retro breadbox. Fast-forward to the present. Instead of a spiffy new Microbus, we now have the Routan, which is fake German for "Dodge Caravan." Not very exciting, to say the least.


A revival of Flower Power's official vehicle seemed hopeless -- until now. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that VW's entertaining the possibility of a 21st-century Microbus built on the same platform as the new sedan that'll pe produced at VW's Chattanooga, TN facility. An unnamed "senior Volkswagen official" told the paper that European production's basically a non-starter, and Volkswagen Group of America's Jill Bratina played it coy, saying only that a second vehicle line out of Chattanooga is "conceivable in the foreseeable future." A locally-built, car-based Microbus is an idea that certainly piques our interest. How about yours?



Source:autoblog



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Mercedes-Benz AMG has launched an outdoor advertising campaign in Germany for the recently unveiled 661 horsepower SL 65 AMG Black Series hyper car. Mercedes must be going for a halo effect with this unusual campaign as it focuses on a vehicle that costs well over €200,000 ($300,000) and only a few hundred units are expected to be built. However, the clever tag lines in both English and German seem to be quite effective. For example, one ad in German which appears to be in a metro station is translated as, "Steals the breath away of others at 0 and yours at 320."




Source: 6speedonline via:World Car Fans



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Should the model complete development and come out of Marenello, we can expect a very limited run of not more than 300 units. It will be fitted with a retractable hard-top roof adding an extra 70kg to its kerb weight. Ferrari will counter this performance dropping weight gain by incorporating its brand new 7-speed dual clutch transmission system which will debut in the brand new Ferrari California.


We only told you 2 short days a go that Ferrari are secretly working on an open-top variant of the super limited 430 Scuderia, and what happens? Up pops these few images of what appears to be a 100% production ready prototype. We have to admit there is a pretty slim chance that this is in fact real, this model is probably the work of an extensive tuning package. However you can't argue with the fact it still looks great and offers everyone the opportunity to get an unofficial sample of what the rumoured model may look like.


Rumours flying around the automotive circles state we will see the unveiling of the model at the Ferrari Challenge at Mugello on November 5th.
Source:World Car Fans








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Looking at the front end of this prototype we can see much of it will stay unchanged apart from the area within the fender flare which appears to have redesigned fog lights and outer air intakes hiding beneath that camouflage. The rear takes a similar theme with the black clad camouflage hiding the rear fog lights area, we can also see modifications will be made to the rear bumper and taillights as well.


Engines are expected to stay largely unchanged, however due to the minor already mentioned, Mercedes will have to make some interior and equipment modifications to really pass this off as a facelift.


The Mercedes GL Class first hit the market in 2006 and going by the Mercedes normal vehicle lifecyle of around six years, we should be seeing a mid-life pep up some time next year. This pep up has now been spotted almost undisguised by our spies earlier this week.
Source:World Car Fans



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It's not a continuation of the piece-by-piece unveiling that started the other day, but a member over at Mustang Forums managed to take a wealth of pics showing a heavily-covered 2010 Mustang mule out and about on the streets. Considering Ford has placed stickers on the windshields of these mules directing passers-by to check out the official 2010 Mustang teaser site, it's obvious that the Blue Oval wants this car to be seen. We'll bite.

We've gathered together five shots and the rest of them can be seen here. There are some details that look fairly clear beneath what may be the world's best auto camo. Take special note of the front lights, which are a bit reminiscent of the vents from the '70 Boss 'Stang along with the quad light setup from the '69. All of these various cues make us keenly interested to see the real thing in, oh... seventy-five days or so.





Via: Autoblog Carscoop



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To compliment to increased power and performance, Brabus also offers a range of accessories that not only make the model look good, but feel good as well. It features a height adjustable suspension kit , a Brabus high performance brake system, high perfomance tires wrapped around custom-tailored 19-inch rims and it is completed with exclusive interior options.


The Brabus engineers have got down and dirty with the Mercedes C 63 AMG to produce the B63 S Performance Kit. It adds 73hp to the 6.2-liter V8 AMG power unit bringing total output up to 530hp (390kW) whilst the peak torque grows by 50Nm to 650 Nm (479 lb-ft).


Free-flow high-performance metal catalysts, sport air filters and a bit of ECU tuning take full credit for the power boost which propels the model from 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds (from 4.5 seconds), 0-200km/h is is achieved in 13.1 seconds (from 14.5 seconds) and the top speed now lies at 197mph (315km/h).



Source:World Car Fans



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The project is currently known as FX70 internally at Ferrari and they are still undecided as to what powertrain to employ under the bodywork. The first option would be to continue in the tradition of the first Enzo and pack a powerful V12 engine in, however the Prancing horse may look to downsize to a Twin-turbo V8. The latter of the two would see a power figure of between 50hp and 100hp lower than its larger alternative, but the weight saving advantages could see the performance maintained.


Our intuitive spies from Carpix have caught what is believed to be the first shots of a mule for the successor to the all conquering Ferrari Enzo. It is wearing the body of the F430 Scuderia and had it not been for the shabby looks it may well have gone unnoticed.


Some say the new Enzo could arrive as soon as 2010, but considering the test vehicles haven't made it past mule form yet, this seems unlikely. We will probably see it in either 2011 or 2012 with a price tag of at least $500,000 and a production run of around 300 vehicles.


The first thing that caught our eye on this model was the huge centrally mounted exhaust pipe that sits neatly at the bottom of the rear end. Judging by the incredible sound coming from this model, is is obvious the regular twin exhausts of the 430 Scuderia are completely unused. The wheelbase also look unusually long which further add to our suspicions.
Source:World Car Fans



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Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.


Is it a new Autobot logo? Is it a new Corvette logo? Nope, it's a stingray, baby. What this means — only time will tell, we're sure.


Although GM is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this month, it's not known if the Centennial concept will wait until the Transformers film releases in 2009 or be revealed for the GM celebration. Our money is on the later.
Source:jalopnik.com



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Evidently unable to control his urges, Michael Schumacher has been caught speeding in his native Germany. The Polizei pulled Schumi over driving above the posted 62 MPH limit, slapping him with a fine of about $108 and three points on his license. But that only equates to ten over the speed limit — some claim he was actually caught doing 87 MPH — not a big deal to you and me, but according to highly precise German law, Schumi should have gotten his license suspended. So what does the F1 meister have to say about all this?
Source:jalopnik.com



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The Honda concept shares some styling cues with the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, though it’s hard to overlook its obvious resemblance to the Toyota Prius as well. Like the Prius, the Insight concept will offer the versatility of a five-door hatchback configuration, and gain the aerodynamic benefits of the reduced front end profile. Despite its visual similarity, Honda claims that the Insight will be priced “significantly below hybrids available today,” when the car debuts in the U.S. market next spring.


The Insight will go on sale with rather huge expectations from its parent company, which says that it expects to sell on the order of 200,000 examples worldwide, and more than 100,000 units in the U.S. alone. Those hybrid sales will also be boosted with the launch of a smaller, sportier model based on the CR-Z concept, after the Insight is revealed.Read All



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The CTS Coupe will make its world debut in production trim at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.


It is speculated that the same 550hp 6.2-liter superchanged V8 engine from the CTS-V sedan will carry over to the coupe. In these photos the CTS-V Coupe is distinguished by large cross-drilled brake rotors and centrally-mounted dual exhaust tips. Other notable features include the bulged hood, large sporty rims with low profile tires and, of course, the CTS-V Series grille.


Now spies have caught the performance V-Series variant. Alongside the current CTS sedan at the Lansing Grand River Plant, production start of the standard CTS coupe and CTS-V coupe is expected to begin in May 2009 with both models launching simultaneously as 2010 models.
Source:World Car Fans



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Suzuki started a long “feeler” process starting with not one, but three Kizashi concepts. The first concept debuted in Frankfurt - September 2007, the second in Tokyo - October 2007 and third in New York - March 2008. All concepts received positive reaction from the media as well as the public, and finally convinced the company known for its motorcycles and small affordable cars and SUV's to approve production.


Suzuki is heading into crowded territory with a sporty mid-size entry dubbed, Kizashi. With segment gobbling competitors such as Toyota's Camry, Honda's Accord and the Mazda 6, the Kizashi has its work cut out. However, it's not like Suzuki is suddenly jumping into the deep end before learning how to swim.


The Suzuki Kizashi will be built in Sagara, Japan and will arrive in US dealerships in early 2010.


As stated in earlier releases, Suzuki is planning to power its new flagship sport sedan with a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine delivering up to 300 hp. There is also likely to be a four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine made available as well.
Source:World Car Fans



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Clearly the performance aspect will be the most challenging area, the 430 Scuderia Coupe weighs in at just 1250kg and considering the spider model is likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top we expect to see the overall dry weight raise by around 70kg.


According to a report by the Italian obsessed guys over at autoblog.it, Ferrari are developing a spider version of their 430 Scuderia which was originally presented at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show by Michael Schumacher. Just 300 units of the Scuderia were planned to be built by the Prancing Horse but these latest details could point towards an unintended increase in its production numbers, a trend not totally unheard of – remember the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport?



November 5th is the date you should cross off in your diaries, it is the day when the Ferrari Challenge at Mugello commences and it is the expected venue of the unveiling of the new model.


The 510hp 4.3-liter V8 power unit will stay unchanged, therefore we would expect Ferrari to maintain its acceleration and top speed performance figures with the introduction of the new 7-speed dual clutch transmission system which will debut in the brand new Ferrari California.More Photos



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