27.4.11

Rare 1980 BMW M1 Offered For Sale


Rare 1980 BMW M1 Offered For Sale | The BMW badge is already one of the most desirable on the road, but add a little “M” and a bit of collector’s value and you have the recipe for something very special. This is the M1, BMW’s first (and only, until the i8 arrives) mid-engined sportscar.

Hand-built between 1978 and 1981, the BMW M1 was designed by Giugiaro based on the 1972 BMW Turbo show car. It has a 3.5-liter straight-six engine capable of 277 horsepower, speeds in excess of 160 mph, and acceleration from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds. The redline came at 7,000 rpm. There were only 456 production units ever built. This, making the 1980 BMW M1 one of BMW’s rarest models.

Therefore, it comes to no surprise when we learned that a 1980 BMW M1 was listed for sale at a premium price of $250,000. This particular model is up for sale in Scotts Valley, California and even after 30 years, it only has 26,999 miles on the odometer.

The fuel-injected 277 horsepower six-cylinder engine was capable of carrying this mid-engine, exotic sports car to a top speed of approximately 160 mph. The car had excellent power-to-weight ratio, and just 456 examples would be built between 1978 and 1981, including 56 purpose-built racecars.

This example is finished in orange with a black interior. The odometer reads just 18,000 kilometers from new and remains unrestored. It features all the required modifications for EPA legality. The current owner has cared for the car for the past 18 years.

Exterior dimension & weight
L/w/h (inches) 171,6 / 71,8 / 44,8 Wheelbase (inches) 100,8 Track f/r (inches) 61 / 62 Ground Clearance (inches) Cd / Scd estim. 0,36 / 0,625 Weight (lbs)
Distribution 3125

Capacity & Volume
Cargo (cu.ft.) 5,2 --> 5,2 Fuel Capacity (US gal)
(imp gal) 30,6
25,5 Payload (lbs) 727 Tow Capacity (lbs)
Brakes, steering & suspension
Steering Diam. (feet) 42,7 Tires : front
rear 205/55-16
225/50-16 Brakes : front (inches)
rear (inches) DV (300)
D (11,7) Suspension front coil springs - independent - Suspension rear coil springs - independent - Steering racka nd pinion
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25.4.11

2012 Chrysler 300S review


2012 Chrysler 300S review is further expanding their 300 line-up with the addition of the new 300S models, offered in both V6 and V8 versions. The new models will arrive at Chrysler dealerships in the fall of 2011.

The Auburn Hills-based automaker has already previewed its upcoming 2012 Chrysler 300 and now for the first time we have spy shots of an undisguised version of the new car, taken while it was on a photo shoot.

The 2012 Chrysler 300C is claimed to be up to 19 percent more fuel-efficient than the current model and to set it apart from the competition it will also feature new levels of connectivity and entertainment. Its mechanicals will be shared with the redesigned 2011 Dodge Charger, which is due for release towards the end of this year.

More interestingly, the 300S V6 is the first Chrysler product to be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, if you opt for all-wheel drive or the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, you're stuck with the five-speed automatic.
For the 300C Executive Series, designers added a mesh grille and platinum chrome exterior accents. Despite the minor styling changes, the cabin has been significantly improved thanks to a Frau "Foligno" leather-wrapped dashboard, Nappa leather seats, and hand-sanded wood trim.

Engine
From all indications, the new 2012 Chrysler 300 will come in three flavors-powered V6 Touring and Limited, and hemi V8-powered 300C and 300C All-Wheel Drive. A 300C SRT8 near jet-engine supercar powered or SRT10 also floating around the rumor mill. Standard Mercedes-available (or inspired, perhaps), rear-wheel drive transmission that is likely to be married with six-speed electronic transmission. AWD version will be optional on the Hemi.

Performance
Basic engine of 2012 Chrysler 300 that looks to be Pentastar 3.6L V6 good for around 290 horsepower and 294 lb.-ft. torque. The new engine, Chrysler said, will boast until 22% better efficiency in the entry-level V6 and V8 Hemi. The 300C and 300C AWD will feature the legendary Chrysler 5.7L hemi-worth of around 363 horsepower, and optionally, a 6.4L that will deliver amazing + 500 horsepower.

New for 2012 is the available SRT performance sound system from Harman Kardon®. Producing the ultimate in sound quality, the 900-watt, 19-speaker system includes:
• Seven 3.5-inch Ăšnity coaxial mid-range speakers with seven integrated tweeters located in the instrument panel, rear doors and rear deck

• Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers located in the front doors

• Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers in the rear deck

• One 10-inch subwoofer in the rear deck

• 12-channel, high-speed amplifier
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Maserati range on action


Maserati range on action has revealed a pretty impressive video that shows their entire line-up in action. The GranTurismo MC Stradale, the GranCabrio, the GranTurismo and the Quattroporte they are all presented in there you just have to take a look at the video and decide whom of them is the best one. We couldn’t made that decision, but let us know which one would you choose for a perfect summer drive.

Maserati promises the MC Stradale will be the first GT to break the 300 km/h (186 mph) barrier thanks to improved aerodynamics and the power boost. It’s also more agile due to some knowledge sharing between Maserati’s racing program and the designers of the Stradale. It is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine that delivers 450 HP – an improvement over the standard 405 HP – while still offering the same fuel consumption as a standard Gran Turismo.

With this car Maserati has relaunched the tradition of the Italian luxury executive saloon, where style and elegance are seamlessly married with performance and driving pleasure, features which have always been part of the Trident heritage. The Quattroporte has also become the car of choice for the Italian President and Government representatives in keeping with the tradition of the previous models.
These new batches of Maseratis in Malaysia are actually better as they are equipped with the new option of a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission. Previous buyers of Maseratis had to settle for an automated manual clutch rear-mounted transaxle transmission derived from a Ferrari transmission which is by nature sportier and harsher because it is a manual gearbox with a computer-controlled clutch and not as comfortable as a real automatic. The new automatic is now mounted directly behind the engine at the front.

The sexy Gran Turismo will start at RM 1,080,000 while the 4-door Quattroporte powered by a 4.2 liter V8 with 400 horsepower will be an alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S 500 starting from RM 1.3 million, depending on how much a customer wants to customise his car. Maserati has allocated 20 units and already 6 have been sold. For the “S” models of both cars, naturally the price will go up from there.
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22.4.11

Cabrio Fiat 500 Review


Cabrio Fiat 500 Review |The range of Fiat 500 models offered by the Italian manufacturer in the US and Canada got expanded this week, with the addition of the cabrio version of the model to the range. The North American spec of the car was revealed during the New York International Auto Show, and will be offered complete with an entire range Fiat 500c accessories by Mopar

Perfectly timed with the warm weather and excitement of spring, the new 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio expands our product lineup while paying homage to the brand's rich heritage of open-air cabrios that deliver style, value and driving enjoyment, said Laura Soave, Head of FIAT Brand North America.

The Fiat 500c features a cloth top that can be lowered at speeds up to 60 mph. Unlike most convertibles, the 500c still retains the side profile from the 500. Meaning that it keeps the window frames and conventional side pillars. If you don't want the top all the way down, the top can be opened partially to act as a large sunroof.

Cleverly designed with a multi-position power-retractable cloth top, fully stamped body-side silhouette and 70 percent less header shake then key competitors - the new Fiat 500c delivers leading interior sound quality (quietest at 45 mph, 70 mph and lowest powertrain noise). In addition, its longer windshield and minimized header design maximize rear-seated passengers' outward visibility, while minimizing cabin turbulence. And for easy access to the cabrio's trunk, premium "parallelogram" liftgate hinges conveniently position the liftgate out of the way, while the power-operated cloth top simultaneously retracts.

Another connectivity feature is BLUE&ME handsfree communication, a voice-activated communication system that allows the driver to operate a Bluetooth-compatible phone while keeping his or her hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
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19.4.11

The Volkswagen configurator Feature


The Volkswagen configurator Feature cult-car was optically 'sharpened' in the style of the New VW Beetle Ragster study. New lights, refined lines, a fresh color palette as well as new fabric seat covers are just a few of the details that were changed.

In addition to the news on the configurator, we’ve also found a fresh batch of photos of the latest generation of the Beetle, which you can ogle on in the gallery after the break.

Though the body is less nostalgic and retro in design, due to the flatter roof and the more vertical back, there are plenty of retro-looking wheels to choose from, including the 17-inch ‘Circle’ design and 18-inch ‘Disc’. 1.4 with 55 kW / 75 PS: A modern four-valve engine with 55 kW / 75 PS is the base motor for the VW New Beetle which is also offered in the Golf. In 14.6 seconds, it accelerates to 100 km/h; its maximum speed is 161 km/h. The overall consumption is exceptionally low with only 7.0 liters for every 100 kilometers.

Volkswagen Beetle insurance groups start at group 5 and rise to group 12. Base models are fairly cheap to insure, whilst the higher specification cars are above average to insure.

Volkswagen Beetle emissions (CO2) range from 143 g/km to 222 g/km. Base models have average CO2 emissions, higher spec. models have relatively high CO2 emissions. An emissions figure of sub 100 g/km would be considered very good and above 200 g/km is very high. The lower the CO2 output, the lower car tax band and environmental impact.
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7.4.11

2014 Mercedes C-Class


CLK-Class Mercedes has decided to introduce a C-Class Coupe and C-Class Convertible. The next C-Class will still be based on E-Class architecture, and is aimed at the BMW 3-Series and Audi A5/S5 lineups. Although official images of the convertible C-Class have not been revealed yet, our artist has created one possible answer to that question.

Following the usual trend lines, the C-Class Convertible will also get an AMG version, but while the entry level models will get a four-cylinder engine, the AMG version will use the same 5.5 biturbo V8 engine used in the CLS63 AMG. The only difference provided for the engine will be that power will be reduced to about 420 HP compared to the current 525 HP.

With eyes on the BMW 1 Series and 3 Series coupes and convertibles, the new two-door C-Class is expected to arrive in about a year or two. Look for power coming in V6 form, with or without turbochargers, with the potential addition of a V8-powered AMG performance model and a possible hybrid variant as well.

The current C-Class is a highly accomplished vehicle, so it will be challenging for Mercedes-Benz to improve the design and fascinating to see what they actually deliver in 2014. However, based on what we see today the forthcoming C-Class should be a magnificent machine. Now, come on MB – get to work and build the thing.
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