Apr 21, 2010

Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 will receive a serious rival from Maserati. It will cost just 55,000 euros and will be launched until 2013. The future plans of Fiat Group were presented today by Sergio Marchionne at a press conference held in Italy. These included some interesting references to the Maserati brand. According to the information disclosed today by the Italian boss, the trident brand will introduce next year a model that will cost a little over 50,000 euros. This new Maserati will become the cheapest model in the range of the Italian brand and should take over the market against Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. Although Marchionne didn’t reveal too much information about the new model, the Italian boss said it will offer a package with specific content to exploit the DNA of the Maserati and the target of this model is to ” steal “10 % of European car sales in this segment. Some other plans discussed today include the launch...

Apr 21, 2010

The Chinese manufacturer BAW, a part of BAIC, will launch during the Beijing Exhibition the SUV named B90, a copy of the Range Rover and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The upcoming Beijing Motor Show 2010 will host a series of important world premieres and several releases but not very honorable for the Chinese auto industry. Known for the “passion” to copy the European models, Asians seem to be preparing for this year even better! This time they come with an SUV inspired from Land Rover and Jeep and built by the less popular Beijing Auto Works (BAW). As we’ve said, these guys are a subsidiary of the BAIC, a manufacturer that tryed to take over Saab but in the end got satisfied only to take production for the old 9-5 and now 9-3 models. The product of the BAW is called B90 and it is by definition.. an SUV not very original, which borrows or…steals the design patterns established by the Range Rover and Jeep Grand Cherokee. But that’s not all dear addicts, BAW will...

Apr 18, 2010

Jenson Button won the Chinese Grand Prix, and Lewis Hamilton completed the double for McLaren at the end of the most spectacular race of the season. Jenson Button took advantage of a new strategy regarding the excellent pit stops for his second win of  this season, the Briton remained on the circuit race when nearly all its rivals have opted for rain tires. Hamilton eventually won 2nd place at the end of a demonstration by rain which passed in a spectacular manner, among others, Michael Schumacher, while the podium was completed by Nico Rosberg, who adopted a strategy similar to Button’s. Fernando Alonso won a 4th place in extremis, despite a penalty incurred at home due to the fact that the early start and went off before the red lights. Robert Kubica finished in 5th place, its performance is completed by Vitaly Petrov mate, before the author of a spectacular overtaking Michael Schumacher in the last laps of the race. Away from pole position, Sebastian Vettel finished in 6th...

The German tuner JE Design has turned its attention to the Seat Leon Cupra R, the latest model from the Iberian House. The car has been modified both aesthetically and technique to make the sport even more high-performance version of Leon. JE Design has increased engine power 2.0 TSI from 265 to 330 hp, while peak torque has been increased from 350 to 420 Nm. Concerning performance, accelerating from 0 to 100 decreased from 6.2 to 5,8 seconds, while top speed has increased from 250 to 268 km/h. The increase in power and performance was achieved by optimizing the electronic control unit, the adoption of the sport air filter, the new catalyst and the exhaust pipe to 4 outputs. The technical package for the German tuner Leon Cupra R costs 6,200 Euros. Moreover, JE Design...

Apr 18, 2010

The Delahaye you see in the photo is an original ’30s or bears the signature of Figoni & Falaschi on the body. No, the copy which will be exhibited at the 2010 Pebble Beach Retro Auto (as distinct from the most famous Concours d’Elegance, ed), is a model built in New Jersey, Delahaye USA. It reminds us of the golden age of remakes based on vintage Buick or Lincoln, between the ’70s and ’80s. In those years, some of the most famous models made in the ’30s by houses such as Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, or precisely Delahaye, who at the time were built in a number of units equal to the fingers of one hand, they saw blossoming a new passion for them. Passion, however, in most cases not worthy heirs bore the prestige of the original. The case of this newly Delahaye Bella Figura Bugnotti Coupé is instead quite different. So that the reconstruction was judged worthy of one of the most “in” for the classic California. The car, despite its...

Apr 18, 2010

The initial version of the new crossover from Mitsubishi – ASX with 1.6-liter petrol engine and front-wheel drive will have prices starting from 17,990 euros. The engine delivers 86 kW / 117 hp, has the MIVEC variable-valve timing and is equipped with CO2 as all the ASX ClearTec-reducing technology. These include inter alia a start-stop system, electric power steering, a regenerative braking system and reduced rolling resistance tires. Standard equipment includes seven airbags including driver’s knee airbag, stability and traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, Hill Start Assist, automatic start-stop system, electric windows, Radio/CD/MP3-Player with RCA input and central locking with remote control. It will be launched in mid-June, alternatively, the 1.8-liter common-rail type with front-or all-wheel drive is an active choice. The 110 kW/150 hp diesel exhaust emission standard Euro 5 makes ASX the world’s first diesel passenger car with...