Apr 04
World motorsport boss Max Mosley is facing growing calls to resign in the wake of lurid allegations about his private life.
Volvo Aims for Zero Accidents
Apr 04
Filed under: Etc., Videos, Nissan
During the 2008 New York Auto Show we took a short cab ride from the Javits Center to the hotel, and our driver straddled lanes, blew lights, and narrowly missed around three dozen cars. That's nothing compared to this video of a Baghdad cab ride from hell. Photographer Steve Bent of The Sunday Times was traveling to a shoot in an old Nissan 4x4 with a driver and a man he only refers to as the "boss" in the front seat. Bent needed to get to his shoot during morning traffic, and the driver went so far as to pull a Ronin, driving the wrong way down one-way streets while leaning on the horn. That's kind of nuts, but then the boss man pulls out a 9mm pistol and starts waving it around so other drivers could get the hint that they really needed to move. The "boss" even fires to drive the message home just seconds before arriving at an army checkpoint, where his carries on a completely normal conversation with the soldiers, who seem not at all surprised at the gunplay. When asked why he fired his pistol, the "boss" explained the driver in front of them wouldn't get out of the way. That was enough for the soldiers, who then waved them through the checkpoint, according to Bent. In New York, a move like this would get your name in the paper and your butt in a jail cell. In Iraq, it gets you to your destination on time. Follow the jump to watch for yourselves. The good stuff starts about a minute in, so be patient. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!
[Source: The Sunday Times]
Continue reading VIDEO: You think NYC cabbies are crazy? Try Baghdad
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Apr 04
Honda has announced that on certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owners manual contain incorrect contact information for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) vehicle...
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Apr 04
BBC Gloucestershire investigates the county's links with Formula One
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Apr 04
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green
AutoblogGreen paid a visit to the birthing canal of the Chevy Volt (aka the General Motors Technical Center) yesterday to hear GM say yet again that this is no concept vehicle anymore, it’s all systems go. The same cannot be said for the Audi A4 hybrid, though. There are no easy answers in the green car world.
- GM’s Chevy Volt update: All systems go, Malibu-based li-ion mules coming soon
- Audi A4 hybrid dies before it arrives in the U.S.
- Small cars reign over French car market
- Nissan requests environmental reports from all global suppliers
- Can nitrogen from GoNitroTire in a tire help a car “run green”?
- Allentown, PA “America on Wheels” museum to open, includes an EV1
- Still free parking for hybrids in Los Angeles. Maybe.
- BYD wants to sell hybrids in Europe by 2010
- Vectrix to the rescue
- Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide: recycle your refrigerant
- Forbes: How to drive green without buying a new car
- Ford conserves to win EPA’s 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award
- Controlled Power Technologies says electric supercharger is ready
- China’s Guanxi province getting serious about cassava ethanol
- Ohio-based Crown get $1m for hydrogen fuel cell research
- Hydrogen car projects affected by CARB regulations
- Chicago’s Field Museum starts up Bike Sharing Program
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Apr 04
Filed under: Garage, Coupes, Supercars, Nissan
UPDATE: Due to its awesomeness, we are re-running the GT-R drive.
Click above to view our massive gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R.
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/autos/Autoblog_s_First_Drive_with_the_GT_R'; With only 20 miles separating us from North Lake Tahoe, it's obvious that I hadn't secured the hood of our Super Silver Nissan GT-R after poking and prodding inside the engine bay. The left side of the bonnet is raised about a quarter-inch and flapping slightly at speed, so we pull off into a newborn subdivision to slam it shut. I step back inside and catch a glimpse of a silver Corvette in the side view mirror. The telltale air intake on the front bumper confirms that the man behind the wheel is an aficionado; it's a C6 Z06 and there's no doubt the driver knows what the GT-R is.
All photos (C) 2008 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R
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Apr 04
Lewis Hamilton is unharmed after crashing in practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix as Ferrari pair Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen dominate.
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Apr 04
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz, AMG
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin N400 V8 Vantage.
What began as a rumor that Mercedes-Benz would begin supplying Aston Martin with engines has evolved into a full-blown partnership that may include both automakers co-developing platforms and technology. The newest report comes courtesy of Autocar, suggesting that M-B is considering purchasing a stake in Aston Martin and the Kuwaiti Investment Authority would in turn receive a seven-percent slice of the Daimler AG pie.
The partnership would make sense on several levels. Aston Martin, which is a small fish in a very large pool, will need to purchase major components from mainstream suppliers once its ties with Ford are officially severed. Imagine AMG-levels of power nestled inside Aston's sensuous sheet metal. Yum. But the partnership wouldn't be one sided. Recent reports coming out of Germany say that M-B is looking to employ a lightweight aluminum platform for the next generation SL. Aston Martin has the technology to help develop such an architecture, and with Mercedes stepping away from McLaren next year after production of the SLR ends, M-B needs a new supercar manufacturer to join the party.Thanks for the tip, Mike!
[Source: Autocar]
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Apr 04
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, Green Daily
Can’t wait for BMW to possibly unleash a new green vehicle? Got enough cash in the bank to (almost) buy two Tesla Roadsters? Then say hello to your new ride: an all electric 1995 BMW 840Ci. The car has been converted by Eco-Conversions to run on Xellerion nickel-zinc batteries that will move the vehicle for 100+ miles between charges and, according to the description, “provide enough power to maintain the feel and performance of a luxury sports car” (read: go over 100 mph). The all-electric BMW is currently on sale on eBay for the low, low price of $160,000 (want it without waiting? The Buy It Now option is just $165,000). The car is currently in Lisle, Illinois and there are another five days before the auction ends. My birthday’s coming up, in case you’re feeing generous. Thanks to James H for the tip!
Gallery: 1995 electric BMW 8-Series
[Source: eBay]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM, UAW/Unions
The United Auto Workers (UAW) are gearing up to strike against General Motors if progress isn't made on local negotiations affecting three factories in the U.S. The workers at the Arlington, Texas; Parma, Ohio; and Delta Township, Michigan plants are required to give the General a five day notice before the stoppage occurs, and they've told GM's negotiators that if progress isn't made in five days on the local contracts, they'll be laying down their tools. The dispute is primarily over which factory workers will be forced into a lower wage rate. If the work stoppage occurs, it will further compound issues GM is already facing with the American Axle strike, which has forced the automaker to slow or stop production at 30 factories across the U.S and Canada.[Source: Detroit News]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Coupes, Supercars, Porsche
While we like to chide the Stuttgart crew for "updates" to its 911 range, this newest one actually has some serious substance underneath the tweaked sheet metal. In addition to the revised headlamp and taillight design, CAR is reporting that Porsche will upgrade both the 3.6- and 3.8-liter flat-six boxers with direct-injection. The technology, first employed by Porsche on the 2007 Cayenne, boosted horsepower and torque by around 10- to 15-percent in the SUV, and we hope that similar gains can be made with its iconic six. More impressive, although not entirely unexpected, is the rumored fitment of Porsche's first dual-clutch gearbox. The Doppel Kupplungen transmission will be available on the new 911 after it's unveiled sometime this summer, with sales expected to begin this fall. There's no word on what models will benefit from the DSG 'box initially, nor was there any info about how the new tranny would be implemented on Porsche's all-wheel-drive models.[Source: CAR]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Etc., Hybrid, Hyundai, Kia, Asia
Yes, it’s true. The good hard-working folks employed by the president’s office (of South Korea) are about to get Hyundai hybrid happy. (Or possibly sad if you’re the dude or dudette getting the Kia.) The plan, according to office spokesman Lee Dong-kwan, is “…to use the hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) to raise public awareness of the environment industry as an alternative engine for growth and energy-saving [sic].” He went on to say that the president, newly-elected Lee Myung-bak, would also be using the car “if needed.” It is pure speculation on my part that the “need” is unlikely to arise.
The two models being considered are the Hyundai Vernon (sold here in non-hybrid form as the Accent and pictured above) and the Kia Pride. As well as showcasing the environmental attitudes of the country’s leadership, the move may also reflect the direction of the South Korean car manufacturer.
[Source: The Korea Times]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge
Anyone who's rolling in a 2007-2008 Chrysler Sebring or Dodge Avenger, take note. Chryslerberus is recalling all 181,000 of those vehicles sold during that time to fix an electrical defect that affects unused connectors on the tire pressure monitoring system. Apparently, corrosion can cause a short, and owners could experience their vehicles failing to start, stalling once underway, or some other affectations of the electrical components, including the cruise control. Formal notices are going to be sent out later this month, and dealers have been instructed to locate the problem and seal the affected circuits. Check your mailboxes, folks.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Ford, Earnings/Financials
Ford revealed today that its CEO Alan Mullaly was compensated with a package worth $21.7 million last year. His base pay was $2 million and he received incentive bonuses totaling $7 million. The rest of his money pile comes from stock options and the like. All told, Ford's top five highest paid execs accounted for some $60 million of the Blue Oval's total bill in 2007. Mulally actually made $28.2 million in 2006, but $11 million of that was what it cost Ford to buy out his contract with Boeing.
$60 million is a lot of money to pay five people in one year, which strikes at the heart of an age old question in modern American business: how much should executives get paid? If they're doing their job and the company is profitable, no one seems to quibble over a million here and a million there, but instead credits the CEO for his or her expert leadership. When a company is losing money like Ford, however, those big bucks suddenly seem like funds that could have been used to develop new products, pay lower-tiered workers better or pad the company's cash reserves just in case.
Bill Ford Jr., Ford's last CEO who has turned down a salary until Ford turns a profit, hired Mulally to do what he couldn't: make Ford profitable again. But hiring a guy like Mulally costs money, which is what we're seeing here. It is too early to determine if Mulally is earning his wage, so the impatient see his compensation package as completely unwarranted. We're willing to wait a few years, and if Ford is back in the black by then, we know the cost of doing business with Mulally was worth it for the guys and gals from Dearborn.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd, Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Green Culture, Green Daily, USA
Every year, AAA runs a study which they refer to as “Your Driving Costs” which calculates the average costs of owning and operating the five top-selling models in three popular size classes: small, medium and large sedans. This year, the study indicates that the average cost of driving a passenger vehicle in the United States has increased 1.9 cents per mile in the last year; up to 54.1 cents per mile. High gas prices and additional taxes, among other things, have overcome the downward trend set by maintenance, full-coverage insurance and depreciation.
Want to save some green? AAA suggests a pretty obvious option: consider choosing a smaller vehicle or a minivan over an SUV. The annual average cost of driving a small sedan is $6,320 per year, while a large sedan costs $9,769 per year. Your average minivan will run you $8,644 per year, compared to $10,448 for a four-wheel-drive mid-size SUV. Besides the cost savings, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the smaller sized car will likely include a smaller-sized engine emitting less CO2 into the air.
Want to know more? The entire report can be downloaded in .pdf form from this page.
[Source: AAA]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials
Bankrupt supplier Delphi was expected to finalize a financing package this morning that would finally allow the company to emerge from the red, but in the 11th hour one of its investors backed out leaving the supplier, its largest customer General Motors and the company's shareholders in the lurch. Appaloosa Management LP had lead a $2.55 billion equity plan that was a large part of Delphi's financing package, and without which, the supplier will have to remain in its technically bankrupt state until other arrangements can be made. Appaloosa expressed that it would be willing to consider alternative arrangements, while Delphi has suggested it may take the investment firm to court. For its part, GM, which also pledged up to $2.8 billion in loans for Delphi, expressed its regret over this morning's turn of events in a press released pasted after the jump.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Continue reading Delphi investor backs out, bankruptcy exit delayed
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Apr 04
Filed under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Coupes, Auction Action, Ford
Click on the image for more shots of the '64 Galaxy with Rocket Axle
We're pretty pumped-up about this auction for a 1964 Ford Galaxy from Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic, running from May 15-18 in Indianapolis, IN. Even if we didn't love the '64 Galaxy as an A/FX drag-car, which we do, the rare Latham axial flow supercharger induction system with quad Carter single-barrel carbs that feed the 425-horsepower 427 Ford big block race motor would seal the deal for us. Still not impressed? Perhaps you didn't notice the FREAKIN' ROCKET ENGINE hanging off the rear axle! For those unaware, this adds historical significance to this particular Galaxy. The Turbonique Corporation from the roaring-'60s, when literally anything seemed possible, offered what it referred to as a "Turbo Drag Axle" that could add as much as 1,000 horsepower to a drag car using a snail-housing supercharger spinning at up to 92,000 RPM and force-fed N-Propyl Nitrate liquid rocket fuel. Yes you read that right... rocket fuel.
The Galaxy in this auction was built and owned by tobacco heir Zachary Reynolds of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco fame and is referred to as the "Tobacco King". The Turbo Drag Axle hanging off the rear end offers 850 additional horsepower in this application and the car has been souped up to handle the juice with chassis and suspension stiffening. While it's not likely to ever make another pass down the 1,320, with just 3,611 original miles and all of the period-correct modifications, this is one vehicle that deserves to be appreciated for years to come. Thanks for the tip, Trevor!
[Source: Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels, Green Daily
Photo by RatherBeBiking. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
In case you need an excuse to trade in the car for a bike this spring and summer, the League of American Bicyclists is ready to help. The League has declared the week of 12th-16th of May to be Bike-to-Work Week (with Friday the 16th to be Bike-to-Work Day. May itself is National Bike Month, and the League is offering a large PDF that lists 50 ways to celebrate the month, like hosting a murder mystery on a bike or ride with your child to school. So far, there are National Bike Month events listed for 18 states. More to come, I’m sure.
[Source: League of American Bicyclists]
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Apr 04
Click above to watch video
We are inundated with safety reminders every time we get into our cars and turn the key. Your car reminds you to fasten your safety belt with incessant beeps and warning lights fill your dashboard when brake or airbag sensors think something is wrong. But, as the video pasted after the break proves, even standing next to your car can be dangerous under the right circumstances. Dynamometers, or dynos, can be awfully dangerous and are usually surrounded by some sort of guard rail, but not this one in Russia. While it's hard to ignore the guy in the red pants, keep your eyes on the older gentleman at the rear of the room.
While our first inclination was to laugh, the reality is that this face-plant could have been much worse. We're glad that the man in the video appears to be alright. Papa!
[Source: Dragtimes.com]
Continue reading VIDEO: Safety 101 around a dynamometer
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Apr 04
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Vectrix
If you live in California and have a hankerin’ for some quality electric maxi-scooter action, it’s time to grab your checkbook and head for your nearest Vectrix dealership. The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) has been busy dishing out rebates for a select few rides and there is only so much cash left in the kettle.
The “Fueling Alternatives” program lists a small number of natural gas-powered vehicles that qualify for the rebate but apparently the money reserved for those has already run out. The only other eligible vehicle manufacturers left are GEM and Vectrix and, unless you live in a gated community or on a golf course, I would go with the 62 mph-capable Vectrix.
If you live in Northern California, there is a San Francisco-based dealer, British Motor Cars Distributors, who would be happy to take your order and, according to their website, they deliver. San Rafael residents might want to give Marin BMW Motorcycles a ring. For the rest of California, hang tight, help may soon be on the way. More info after the jump.
Press Release:
CCSE Gives Cash Back to Owners of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 25, 2008) - The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) has been chosen by the Air Resources Board (ARB) as the administrator of the Fueling Alternatives statewide program that offers cash rebates to residents who purchase alternative fuel vehicles. The grant funded by the ARB gives up to $5,000 in incentives to Californians, who purchase electric, compressed natural gas and other qualifying cars and motorcycles. Two CCSE program participants will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the EcoCenter to showcase qualifying vehicles and discuss the benefits of the rebate program. The EcoCenter, located at 4001 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego, is the main fueling point in San Diego for alternative fuel vehicles housing ethanol, propane and natural gas pumps, as well as an electric power station. In addition to being an alternative fuel hub, the EcoCenter is a climate change and green transportation education center for school children. Executive Director of the EcoCenter, Judy Bishop will also be available for interviews.
Overall, $1.62 million in funding will be dispensed under the Fueling Alternatives rebate program administered by the California Center for Sustainable Energy. The program is part of $25 million of overall funding that came out of Assembly Bill 1811 — authored by Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) and passed in 2007 — which promotes alternative fuel infrastructure and vehicles. The rebates are available on a first come first served basis for qualifying vehicles that are purchased or leased between May 24, 2007 and March 31, 2009. The program has been so successful, however, that the budget for rebates on compressed natural gas vehicles has already been met.
Rebates up to $1,500 are still available for the Vectrix zero emission motorcycle, and between $950 and $1,300 for certain models of the GEM neighborhood electric vehicle. To receive a rebate, vehicles must have emission certification from the ARB, comply with all federal motor vehicle safety standards and meet a minimum manufacturer warranty. For a complete listing of eligible vehicles, go to www.fuelingalts.energycenter.org. “CCSE is delighted to be the administrator of this important green transportation initiative. The program fits well with our mission of sustainable energy solutions,” said Director of Engineering, Robert Gilleskie.
ARB estimates that there are currently about 25,000 dedicated alternative fuel vehicles in California, collectively saving millions of gallons of gasoline each year while emitting fewer pollutants than conventional internal combustion engines. To find the cleanest cars available on the market today, visit DriveClean.ca.gov.
[Source: California Center for Sustainable Energy via ecogeek]
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Apr 04
In early February we told you about a 1986 Buick Regal that had been gutted like a fish by Montreal-based artist Michel de Broin and had all its various mechanical bits replaced with a four-person pedal propulsion system. Basically, four passengers in the car each got their own set of bicycle-like pedals and together they could power the car up to a top speed of 15 km/h. Dubbed the "Shared Propulsion Car", de Broin's creation got a chilly reception from Canadian authorities who ticketed its driver(s) for operating an unsafe vehicle. Sure, it's powered by humans, uses actual hand brakes from a bicycle and has tea light candles instead of headlights, but is it less safe than an amish buggy or a rickshaw? That was just one of the arguments used by legal defender Terry Fox in court to defend the car against the Crown, which actually argued that the car was dangerous because it was carrying lit candles. Needless to say, the courtroom had a good chuckle and the Justice of the Peace presiding dismissed the case. Long live crazy car contraptions and God save the Queen! Thanks for the tip, Bam!
[Source: The Star]
Continue reading Canadian pedal car gets its day in court
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Apr 04
Filed under: Motorsports, SUVs, Euro, Porsche
Click above for a gallery of the updated Cayenne S Transsyberia
Last year, Porsche built a series of race-ready Cayenne S Transsyberia SUVs for use in the rally event bearing the same name. Lessons were learned, and so for the 2008 running of the Transsyberia, Porsche is offering the teams who bought the trucks last year a conversion package that features a number of upgrades. These include a new sump guard, a beefier tire package, tweaked air suspension, a shorter final drive ratio (same as the new Cayenne GTS), plus updates to the transmission programming, dynamic chassis control and traction management systems. Driving from Moscow to Mongolia is no picnic, and these upgrades should make the already-robust Cayenne S Transsyberia even better-suited to handle the rough-and-tumble 4,400-mile course. You can check out the full specs after the jump, and see last year's post on the truck's unveiling for a peek at many of the other modifications that came as part of the standard package.
[Source: Porsche]
Continue reading Porsche updates Cayenne S Transsyberia for '08 rally
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Apr 04
Filed under: Green Culture, Hybrid, Green Daily, USA
Colorado-based carbon-neutral ecotour outfitter, Natural Habitat Adventures, has created the world’s first hybrid safari vehicle. Based on a four-wheel-drive hybird Toyota Highlander, the Hybrid Safari One boasts custom features such as beefier suspension, a new roof with sliding canvas top and specialized flip-up photography windows. In total, the vehicle depleted the coffers to the tune of $70,000 and took about a year to develop and build.
Typical safari vehicles return just twelve to thirteen miles per gallon. Hybrid Safari One is able to double that to 25 miles per gallon while providing all of the same capabilities. Interested in experiencing the great outdoors with as little environmental impact as possible? Tours of the western United States are currently planned for the hybrid safari vehicle, including tours of an exploration of Grand, Bryce and Zion Canyons. Have fun and tread lightly.
[Source: Natural Habitat Adventures]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Tech, BMW
Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Hydrogen 7
The BMW Hydrogen 7 arrived in late 2006 boasting the unique ability to run its V12 powerplant on both hydrogen and gasoline. This was a smart idea, as the on-board 30-gallon tank of -253° Centigrade liquid hydrogen was only good for a range of about 125 miles. The other fuel tank, filled with 19.5 gallons of good old-fashioned gasoline, extended the range another 310 miles. It didn't offer any environmental advantage, but it did allow you to get home.
BMW is following up the original Hydrogen 7 with a new version - this time minus the gasoline tank. While official performance specifications, including emissions data, have not been released, BMW is claiming both performance and range have been increased. It will debut at the 2008 National Hydrogen Association Conference and the 2008 SAE World Congress in mid-April, when BMW is expected to release emissions date for the car, as well.
[Source: Automobile Magazine]
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Apr 04
Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Jaguar
Arden, the German tuning firm that's been tweaking Jaguars for decades, is teasing us with this concept shot of its new Jaguar XF AJ 21. We just drove the 2009 Jaguar XF and felt the sheetmetal was lacking some excitement. In a good manner, it appears that Adren has addressed some of our concerns with its aerodynamic sport package including new front and rear bumpers, new side skirts, and a more aggressive wheel package. Look closely and you'll notice the cat is back on the hood (maybe too much redundancy, considering the badge is just below it as well?). Expect more photographs, specifications and pricing in the near future.
[Source: CoolBrit]
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