Apr 18
Volvo Aims for Zero Accidents
Apr 18
First of all, a station wagon must be multifunctional and spacious for a family and their luggage. When it comes from ABT Sportsline, the leading tuner of cars by the Volkswagen group, then it is suitable for everyday use and sporty at the same time. In the case of the new ABT AS4 Avant [...]
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Apr 18
The final day of the 75th Annual SAE World Congress came to a close Thursday. With sore feet and fatigue very evident among the group, the team kept continuing to be available to all who wanted to engage.
Even with marketing material reinforcements arriving that morning, information about the most efficient internal combustion engine was grabbed at such a fast rate that only four kits were left when the lights were finally shut off at Detroit’s Cobo Center. Even still as the official close was announced, local OEMs were still hanging around the exhibit booth wanting to know more about the latest valve train test rig and results of the recent full load study. The action never stopped.
On hand to support Scuderi Group’s sponsorship of the SAE VIP Reception were European Vice President of Operations Lutz Deyerling, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Nick Scuderi, Ruth Scuderi, President Sal Scuderi, and Vice President Steve Scuderi.
Team Scuderi closed out the event by executing their exclusive sponsorship of the VIP reception prior to the big annual banquet that honors the year’s automotive engineering notables. It was a formal affair with automotive elite on hand to mingle, eat, drink and be merry as they toasted each others’ annual accomplishments. A good time was had by all.
The group now heads home to West Springfield and Frankfurt as they regroup and rest up for another active week coming up. With meetings with a major OEM in France and marketing/public relations firms in Germany, Team Scuderi will continue its tour as it gears up for Engine Expo Stuttgart in May.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Driving
Click above for the gallery. School is officially in session.
While John and Alex are battling it out in GT5, those of us unable to drop the coin on a new PS3 will have to make due with our aging PS2 and GT4. But we don't feel too bad. Because despite the GT5's new physics engine, online play and host of new features, it's missing one very important thing: the Nurburgring. For those of you (like me) that barely bother with the rest of the circuits and make a B-line for the 'Ring whenever you're looking for a quick, four-wheeled fix, we've compiled the definitive guide to the Nurburgring, courtesy of BMW, in a gallery below. All 28 pages are available for your perusal, study and obsession, so you can dominate the 'Ring in the virtual world or if your ever lucky enough, the real one. You've got your homework people. Enjoy the weekend.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Tech
As of today, we're taking bets to see how long it will take before people realize that "GPS" does not stand for "Auto Pilot." The latest "But the GPS told me to..." story is brought to you by a charter bus driver in Seattle. Piloting a coach through the Washington Arboretum -- as the GPS instructed him -- the driver ignored, or didn't see, or didn't believe (take your pick) the flashing lights and sign warning him that his 11-foot-high bus was too tall for the looming 9-foot concrete overpass.
You can see how the story ends. The overpass ended up with some superficial damage, the coach got a removable top, and the girls softball team inside received some minor injuries. Luckily, the 60-inch sewage pipe inside the overpass wasn't ruptured. The driver was ticketed for $154. And in response to the charter company executive who remarked, "We just thought it would be a safe route because, why else would they have a selection for a bus?", a Garmin spokesman responded "Stoplights aren't in our databases, either, but you're still expected to stop for stoplights."
[Source: Seattle Pi]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro.
We're less than 12 hours away from seeing the Audi Q5 officially revealed at the Auto China Show in Beijing, and according to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Audi's new cute 'ute will be assembled in Changchun, in northern China. The German rag cited unspecified China-based sources for the information, but Audi isn't answering any questions ahead of the reveal tomorrow. The Q5 is due to hit dealers in Europe later this summer and sales are expected to begin in the States towards the beginning of next year. It's likely we'll hear about Audi's production plans for the Q5 during tomorrow's press conference and you can watch the reveal live on Audi's online media site.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mercedes Benz, HCCI
Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept
As part of an annual meeting held in Berlin, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will increase its R&D spending to $21 billion for the year 2010. A major part of those expenses will go towards alternative powerplants. Hydrogen and lithium ion batteries will make up a good chunk of these charges, and Zetsche claims that Daimler has made “a major breakthrough in battery technology.” Regarding the heat generated by lithium ion batteries, Zetsche adds, “Daimler has solved the problem. Thanks to the integration of the vehicle’s cooling system, the batteries can now operate continually at optimal system temperatures. This maximizes their power output; extends their service life, and make it possible to use this high-performance technology in automotive applications. We’ve protected this innovation with 25 patents.”
Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer large, powerful and luxurious vehicles in each of the market segments in which it competes. What’s more, Dr. Z adds, the company “aims to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption.” We’re reminded of the F700 concept that the company recently introduced. We would add that DiesOtto, or HCCI engines, could make a dent in Mercedes’ overall fuel consumption statistics.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Gadgets, Tech, Scion, Toyota
Scion has selected iBiquity Digital to provide HD Radio technology in some of its audio systems. Scion hasn't said how it plans to integrate iBiquity into Scions, or which cars will get the systems first, but the partnership marks another incursion of HD Radio into the mass market -- BMW, Ford and Jaguar already offer it, with Volvo opening the HD spigot next year. HD Radio offers stations the ability to transmit multiple programs over a single FM frequency with crystal clear reception -- and there are more than 1,600 stations across the nation, available to 83-percent of the country. In the future, HD plans to introduce features that will match or better those offered by satellite radio. But unlike satellite radio, HD is free.[Source: Toyota]
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Apr 18
Apr 18
Filed under: Biodiesel, Emerging Technologies, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen, Germany
Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has inaugurated the “first refinery of second generation” biofuels in Freiberg. The plant, owned by Choren, which partners with car companies VW and Daimler and the Shell oil company, produces BTL (biomass-to-liquid) fuel from any kind of biomass, such as wood chips, straw, weeds or leftover milk rejected by the agrofood industry.
The plans is to have the plant produce 18 million liters of Choren’s Carbo-V (a type of biodiesel). Choren’s Carbo-V is obtained through a sophisticated 3-step process (gasification, gas treatment and hydrocracking) which transforms any kind of biomass into a biodiesel-like fuel ready to be used in diesel vehicles without further modification. If successful, Choren will spend 1 billion euros in a bigger plant to produce 200,000 million liters of BTL fuel per year.
[Source: Econoticias]
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Apr 18
A group of energetic and dedicated high school and college students are behind the on-going road safety campaign of Ford Group Philippines which, this year, is focused on drunk driving.
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Apr 18
A group of energetic and dedicated high school and college students are behind the on-going road safety campaign of Ford Group Philippines which, this year, is focused on drunk driving.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Tech, Scion
Click above to view video after jump
While the Scion tC Release Series 4.0 is little more than a body-kit and a paint job for a sporty two-door in need of a redesign, we imagine that a few more of them could move off the lots with cool advertising like you see in the video pasted after the break. This type of interactive advertising is pretty cool, in a Minority Report sort-of-way. If we are going to be continually bombarded with billboards, they may as well be cool to look at and interactive. From the looks of things, the game-like display that Scion and InWindow teamed up to create is rather attention grabbing. Click after the jump to view for yourself.
[Source: Youtube via Engadget]
Continue reading VIDEO: Scion's interacitve advertisement causes passers-by to flail
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Apr 18
Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners
Project Kahn has had its hands into all kinds of high-dollar, high-horsepower machinery over the last few years. Afzal Kahn has made unobtainable exotics even more incredible with kits for the McMerc SLR and the Aston Martin DB9S, along with providing parts for more subdued offerings, like the LR2 and Audi A8, not to mention the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Now, Kahn is teaming up with Cosworth to blend its extreme aero mods with the legendary engine tuner to create the ultimate in road-going rockets. Fortunately or unfortunately, their first joint endeavor will be a tuned version of the Land Rover Range Rover, dubbed the Cosworth 300. They've only provided a teaser image (right), but expect all the details to be released later this year.[Source: Project Kahn via WCF]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Biodiesel, Manufacturing/Plants
Nova Biosource Fuels has two refineries that make ASTM standard biodiesel that are either up and mostly running or on the mend. The two plants, when both are working at full capacity, can make 80 million gallons of biodiesel a year. The capacity isn’ quitet there yet, and Nova’s eventual goal is an annual capacity of 180-200 mgpy.
In Seneca, Illinois, Nova’s refinery is operating at 75 percent capacity turning animal fats and vegetable oils into biodiesel. Nova has commissioned the first train on the way to a 60 million gallons per year production. Over in Greenville, Mississippi, a 20mgpy biodiesel plant was damaged after a mechanical pump failure. Nova representatives are on the site (it’s a Scott Petroleum Corp. plant) and will be working to repair the facility.
Earlier this year, Nova sponsored the Sundance screening of Josh Tickell’s Fields of Fuel documentary.
[Source: Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc.]
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Apr 18
A new name, a new car, a new ambition. With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel. Get more information at TheAutoChannel.com.
Author: TheAutoChannel
Keywords: Opel GM General Motors cars automobiles vehicles
Added: April 18, 2008
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Apr 18
Filed under: Government/Legal
Since the plot details were released, we know that the upcoming Fast and Furious film won't have Dom and Brian visiting Malaysia to race cars on public roadways, and it's a good thing since authorities there are getting ready to enact a new law against street racing, the penalty for which is three strokes of the cane! Malaysia's new law is actually targeted against motorcyclists racing through the countryside around Kuala Lumpur, but we suspect they wouldn't appreciate a heavily tuned Supra doing it either. The new laws would exact a $1,597 USD fine, five-year jail sentence and three-year license suspension... for a first time offender. Get caught again, if you're that stupid, and the fine rises to $3,178, a minimum 10 years jail time, five-year license suspension and you get the whip. Oh, and they'll destroy your vehicle, too. We suspect street racing won't be a problem in Kuala Lumpur for too much longer. Thanks for the tip, GZ Expat!
[Source: Channel News Asia]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, UAW/Unions
General Motors has been dealing with a lot of strikes lately. The United Auto Worker union's strike against one of its main suppliers, American Axle, has been reducing the General's inventory of trucks and SUVs for about a month now, and also threatened production of the Chevy Malibu before the automaker found more parts to keep production going. Just yesterday the UAW walked out of GM's Lansing Delta Township plant where the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn are built. The latter strike is over what the UAW has only referred to as "local contract issues". Whatever those are, they are important enough to come back today and threaten GM with a walk out at its Fairfax plant, one of the two facilities that builds the hot-selling Chevy Malibu. The union has set a five-day ultimatum, and says it will walk out on Malibu production next Tuesday, April 22 if an agreement isn't reached. The other plant building Malibus is in the Detroit suburb of Orion, but it only builds 2,100 Malibus per week compared to the 3,100 units per week built at the Fairfax plant. Clearly the UAW knows exactly where GM is most vulnerable, and its aiming a strike right at it.
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Etc., On Two Wheels, Green Daily
Click on the image above to watch the video
While you may be familiar with the tiger underhood of the classic Pontiac GTO, have you ever wondered what animal may be powering your vintage Lambretta scooter? Wonder no more! As the video pasted after the break clearly shows, there’s none other than a nice little bear turning the crankshaft for you. While this is a pretty cool German commercial, it really pales in comparison to the Lambrettwist commercial from the sixties, which we’ve also kindly pasted after the break. Enjoy!
Video: What’s powering your Lambretta?
Video: The Lambrattwist!
[Source: Youtube via 2 Stroke Buzz]
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Apr 18
He's won all of his 44 professional fights; he?s the longest reigning title holder in boxing history, and is the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.
As the 'Pride of Wales' Joe Calzaghe gears up for the biggest fight of his professional career, Vijay Pattni rounds up the knockout cars behind the middleweight star.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivans/MPVs, GM, Opel
Brenda Priddy & Co have brought us the first glimpse of GM's upcoming 7-seat MPV. Based on the Delta global platform, it is said to be about the same size as the Mazda5. The person hauler is apparently the work of GM Daewoo (GMDAT), with R&D work carried out in Bupyeong, South Korea.The vehicle will be offered for numerous GM brands around the world, though no one knows yet exactly which ones will get it. Chevy is certain, with Daewoo and Opel posed as logical outlets. Priddy guesses that this could even be the replacement for the Opel Zafira. It will most likely be built in the Hamtramck, Michigan plant. True, it's only a taped-up mule and there are parts missing - like the front end - but we hope GM doesn't go to far down the bland route in order to appeal to the widest number of global villagers.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Apr 18
El último Kit de Hamman para Lamborghini ya está aquí.
Victory, así se llama, y es un conjunto de modificaciones tanto en el apartado aerodinámico como en el de motorización, realizadas con una única finalidad; mejorar su rendimiento.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Diesel, Transportation Alternatives, European Union
Carsharing is quite a good thing. I’m actually using one in my own city (although, sadly, not regularly). One barrier to use is the monthly or yearly fee. A company in Paris has decided that this was unfair and has launched a set of carsharing tariffs that excludes montly fees or membership dues. The plan is called Mobizen and it’s free to join; costs are €9 for to drive one of their available (located around the city) Mercedes A-Class for less than 200km.
Other options for carsharing in Paris are Caisse Commune, which has prices ranging €12 to €25 for the monthly fee, then €2-3 per hour and €0.21-0.44 per km. Then there’s also Okigo, charging €9.90 a month, €4 per hour and €0.35 per km. Finally you can also rent a car for less than a day at Hertz, which offers 4, 8 or 12-hour rentals for €35. There’s a demo video after the jump.
[Source: Le Monde (h/t to Dominique for the tip)]
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Apr 18
Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Scirocco.
Volkswagen will use the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring in Germany to showcase the new Scirocco's sporting credentials when the event gets underway the weekend of May 24 and 25. The race-prepped version of the low-slung, Golf-based coupe will be spitting out 300 hp from its tuned 2.0-liter TFSI engine. Volkswagen didn't reveal a lot of details about the Scirocco racer in its press release (after the jump), but you can be assured that serious suspension and brake tweaks will be accompanied by all the prerequisite safety equipment to make the Scirocco competitive in the 2.0-liter turbo class. And VW isn't skimping on drivers, either. The Scirocco will be piloted by two-time WRC champ Carlos Sainz and two-time Le Mans winner and 'Ring legend, Hans-Joachim Stuck.
[Source: VW via WCF]
Continue reading VW to campaign Scirocco in 24-hour 'Ring race
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Apr 18
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford
Ford just announced that there was a small fire today at its Cleveland Engine #2 plant where the 3.0L Duratec V6 for the Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner are built. The fire was of the chemical variety and apparently caused by a bad reaction in a lab to which the baby blaze was contained, though the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the incident as an "explosion". No one was hurt and the fire was small enough to be snuffed out by a fire extinguisher, but some 150 employees got the rest of the day off in case the fumes floating around were toxic. Hmm... this is one of the first days of the year it's been above 70 degrees here in Cleveland and it's a Friday. Me thinks somebody wanted a three-day weekend.[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Chemical fire flares at Ford's Cleveland Engine #2 plant
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Apr 18
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels, USA
Yeah, we know you’re cool (you’re reading AutoblogGreen after all). But are you cool enough to hang with the likes of a certain Ed Begley Jr.? If you can get yourself to Chatsworth, California, Ed, hold the Mister, will available to sign copies of his new book, Living Like Ed, as well as answer any questions you might have about living green and the environment or about being a television superstar.
You might be asking yourself, “Why is someone of Ed’s stature going to expose himself to the dangers of contact with mere mortals?” We’re glad you asked. To help you prepare for California’s “Bike to Work Week” (May 12-14), Currie Technologies is having a huge factory outlet sale the entire weekend of May 2-4 and the actor will be there on the Friday to help them kick things off. Ed says, “Next to walking, cycling has always been my preferred transportation choice….I began working with Currie Technologies and iZip[TM] because I really think their hybrid technology gets it right.” If you go, you’ll be able to pick up one of their cool iZip[TM] hybrid bikes for your commute or an electric scooter at prices up to 70 percent off. That’s a deal worth showing up for even without the celebrity.
[Source: Ecorazzi]
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Apr 18
Opel Insignia Official:Premiere at 2008 London
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A new name, a new car, a new ambition.
With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel.
The styling of the new 4.83 meter five-seater clearly expresses Opel's strategy to make advanced technology and attractive design affordable.
The Insignia boasts a flowing, powerful silhouette with a coupé-like roofline. The body's sculpted shape is accented by a distinctive radiator grille with a newly-designed Opel emblem.
Unmistakable design elements include a sweeping front and rear light "wing" signature and a "blade" side contour that begins directly behind the front wheel and glides through the entire side of the body. Both details give the Insignia's a muscular but graceful allure.
"With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe.
"Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates."
Echoing the exterior, the interior shapes and surfaces, which articulate this promise for exciting mobility, are crafted with high quality materials.
The dashboard wraps around from the instrument panel to the door in a very sophisticated way, embracing the occupants. This wing theme will be echoed across all Opels.
Red ambient lighting, which also will be featured in future Opel models, vibrate a warm, luxurious aura. A lot of emphasis too has been put into the seating, which set the highest standards in ergonomics, comfort and safety.
Opel's pioneering role and unique expertise in lighting technology continues in the Insignia with the latest generation AFL Adaptive Forward Lighting system:
Nine different light beam settings automatically adjust themselves to cater to various driving conditions, simultaneously enhancing safety and driving excitement.
Another new element on the AFL system is the LED daytime running lights, which consume considerably less energy than a conventional system featuring halogen lamps, thereby lowering CO2 emissions from 6 g/km to nearly zero.
"As each feature demonstrates, the Insignia is the result of our quest to develop a car that combines striking design, excellent driving dynamics and innovative technology" says Hans H. Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel GmbH.
The Insignia is offered from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The "Adaptive 4X4" system's proactive, instantaneous torque distribution not only ensures optimal traction but also enhances driving stability and dynamic handling performance.
In the all-wheel drive Insignia, the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.
The Insignia will launch with an exceptionally broad range of seven engines. All meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions.
The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp.
Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.
"The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation -- this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime" says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.
The Insignia notch- and hatchback will debut July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show and hit showrooms starting in November.
The Insignia was developed at GM Europe's International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which also is home to its production.
The Rüsselsheim facility is one of the most advanced car plants in the industry.
With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel.
The styling of the new 4.83 meter five-seater clearly expresses Opel's strategy to make advanced technology and attractive design affordable.
The Insignia boasts a flowing, powerful silhouette with a coupé-like roofline. The body's sculpted shape is accented by a distinctive radiator grille with a newly-designed Opel emblem.
Unmistakable design elements include a sweeping front and rear light "wing" signature and a "blade" side contour that begins directly behind the front wheel and glides through the entire side of the body. Both details give the Insignia's a muscular but graceful allure.
"With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe.
"Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates."
Echoing the exterior, the interior shapes and surfaces, which articulate this promise for exciting mobility, are crafted with high quality materials.
The dashboard wraps around from the instrument panel to the door in a very sophisticated way, embracing the occupants. This wing theme will be echoed across all Opels.
Red ambient lighting, which also will be featured in future Opel models, vibrate a warm, luxurious aura. A lot of emphasis too has been put into the seating, which set the highest standards in ergonomics, comfort and safety.
Opel's pioneering role and unique expertise in lighting technology continues in the Insignia with the latest generation AFL Adaptive Forward Lighting system:
Nine different light beam settings automatically adjust themselves to cater to various driving conditions, simultaneously enhancing safety and driving excitement.
Another new element on the AFL system is the LED daytime running lights, which consume considerably less energy than a conventional system featuring halogen lamps, thereby lowering CO2 emissions from 6 g/km to nearly zero.
"As each feature demonstrates, the Insignia is the result of our quest to develop a car that combines striking design, excellent driving dynamics and innovative technology" says Hans H. Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel GmbH.
The Insignia is offered from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The "Adaptive 4X4" system's proactive, instantaneous torque distribution not only ensures optimal traction but also enhances driving stability and dynamic handling performance.
In the all-wheel drive Insignia, the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.
The Insignia will launch with an exceptionally broad range of seven engines. All meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions.
The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp.
Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.
"The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation -- this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime" says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.
The Insignia notch- and hatchback will debut July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show and hit showrooms starting in November.
The Insignia was developed at GM Europe's International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which also is home to its production.
The Rüsselsheim facility is one of the most advanced car plants in the industry.
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Apr 18
Filed under: Time Warp, Auction Action, Supercars, Jaguar
Click above for gallery of 1994 Jaguar XJ220 on eBay Motors
It's hard to imagine Jaguar ever producing a supercar considering its current sad state of sales, but it did just that back in the early '90s when our walls were plastered with posters of the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo and this, the Jaguar XJ220. In our humble estimation, the XJ220 is one of the most gorgeous supercars ever designed, and rather than relying on eight or twelve cylinders like its Italian competition, the XJ220 reached 200+ mph using a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 producing 550 horsepower and 473 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, no one ever got one up to 220 mph to validate the car's nomenclature. The XJ220 went on the market in 1992 with a base price of $650,000 and only 281 were ever made. One of those examples from 1994 is up for auction on eBay Motors with a starting bid of $300,000. Bathed in a rich-looking LeMans blue paint job, this example has only 3,092 miles on its odometer, though it appears to have a few items that need attention. One of the wheel center caps is missing, the passenger side headlight cover is off, and is that an aftermarket stereo in there? The rest of the car looks as fresh as the day it was built. We doubt Jaguar will be returning to the supercar ring with a contender anytime soon, but this eBay Motors auction reminds us of a time when Jaguar stood toe-to-toe with the giants. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
[Source: eBay Motors]
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Apr 18
Welcome to the Weird World of Wheels, our weekly round-up of the strangest motoring-related news from around the planet.
This week, the most eye-opening special edition cars ever created.
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Apr 18
by Vijay Pattni
German tuners have unleashed a Teutonic monster - the 205mph HGP Golf R36 BiTurbo.
HGP Tuning has slotted in a 3.6-litre V6 engine lifted from the Volkswagen
Passat and has fitted two turbochargers.
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