Hot News: Jaguar XF Estate

A fastback, sporting estate version of the XF is in Jaguar’s future product plan, with a production date slated for around 2012.

That will coincide with the facelift of the XF, when changes are expected to include a bolder grille inspired by the new XJ.

Estate versions of the XF’s main rivals, the Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class, all sell well and in the UK make the difference between the XF being the third best-seller in its class rather than market leader.

For several years after the launch of the load-lugging X-type, the words ‘estate’ and ‘Jaguar’ appeared to be banned from appearing in the same sentence, but now that the X-type has been killed off, the idea of a Jaguar estate is acceptable again inside the company.

But this won’t be some sort of Volvo-style load lugger. Expect elegant styling incorporating a shade more practicality to be the defining features.

The new four-cylinder diesel engine currently under development will be key. Small-capacity four-cylinder diesels account for 50 per cent of sales among rival executive models in the UK, and the proportion is even higher for the more practical estate body shape.

Details of the engine are scarce, but it is thought to be a variant of the 2.2-litre Ford/PSA unit used by Land Rover, but thoroughly re-engineered to reach the refinement levels that owners expect. Peak power is likely to be close to 200bhp in its most powerful version, possibly with twin turbochargers.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Concept Car: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo

Mitsubishi also present at the Tokyo show will be a new cargo van-version of Mitsubishi's tiny i-MiEV electric city car. Eschewing the rear doors and seats for a 62 cubic-foot flat-floored cargo area, the i-MiEV Cargo is designed with small businesses in mind. It offers 100-mile range, though it will no doubt be affected by the cargo load, as will the performance of the 63-hp 133 lb-ft electric motor.

While the i-MiEV Cargo is slated for production in Japan, the future of the PX-MiEV isn't known yet. Even if the concept doesn't make it into production, look for the design and technology to make their way into other Mitsubishi products in the future.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Concept Car: Mitsubishi PX-MiEV

With the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show less than a month away, the few remaining participating automakers are throwing down their cars. Following Subaru and Honda to the table is Mitsubishi with a new plug-in hybrid crossover called the PX-MiEV and a cargo van version of the i-MiEV electric car.

Looking something like an updated Endeavour with a touch of Land Rover styling, the PX-MiEV is Mitsubishi's centerpiece. Though it may look something like the Endeavour, the PX-MiEV -- which stands for Plug-in hybrid Crossover - Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle -- is actually closer in size to the Outlander but slightly larger. While the hard, boxy yet simple styling is a big step forward for Mitsubishi crossovers, the real story is what lies beneath.

The PX-MiEV is powered by Mitsubishi's first hybrid drivetrain and rather than follow the Toyota and Honda route, Mitsubishi has skipped ahead to a plug-in series hybrid right out of the gate. Under the hood is a 114-hp 1.6L DOHC MIVEC four-cylinder engine with 92 lb-ft of torque that can either power the wheels directly or act as a generator to power the electric motors. The two 60-hp electric motors generating 148 lb-ft of torque each are mounted on the axles and can propel the car by themselves or work in concert with the gasoline engine. Mitsubishi says the combination is good for an impressive 118 mpg.

At low to medium speeds, the front electric motor does most of the work by powering the front wheels. At higher speeds or when more power is needed, the gasoline engine kicks on to either make more electricity to power the electric motors or to help power the wheels directly, depending on which the onboard computer thinks will be more efficient. The rear electric motor only comes on when the front wheels are slipping, under hard acceleration or under sudden maneuvers to help stabilize the vehicle. The electric motors also act as generators during braking to recharge the battery.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2011 Volkswagen Golf

One of our daring spy photographers just sent us over these photos of two Volkswagen development mules undergoing testing. The lack of camouflage shouldn't be a surprise, as all the important changes are beneath the metal.

The white mule with the wide, black fenders wears a serial number with the letters MQB. This is the acronym for the next Golf platform, meaning modular querbaukasten (that's modular transverse component system in English). The first iteration of the new platform will underpin the next Audi A3. With the current PQ35-platform Golf VI reportedly ending production in December 2011, it would make sense for the next-gen Golf to appear around the same time. Say, the Frankfurt show in September 2011?

The black mule, conversely, wears PQ35 platform designation. Yet this mule is wider, the fuel cap is in a different place, and our spy reckons it's a bit shorter than the current Golf. Curious, indeed.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Top 10 Fastest Cars in the World

As a lover of fast cool cars, we have created the top 10 fastest cars in the world. Many believe the Bugatti Veyron to be the worlds fastest production car which is incorrect. It actually comes in 4th position so starting at 10th position and working our way down, here are the 10 fastest cars in the world...

10th Fastest Car in the World = Jaguar XJ220 - 227mph

9th Fastest Car in the World = Ultima GT-R640 - 231mph

8th Fastest Car in the World = TVR Cebera Speed 12 - 240mph

7th Fastest Car in the World = Mclaren F1 - 240mph

6th Fastest Car in the World = Koenigsegg CCX - 241mph

5th Fastest Car in the World = Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - 248mph

4th Fastest Car in the World = Bugatti Veyron - 253mph

3rd Fastest Car in the World = Koenigsegg CCXR- 254mph

2nd Fastest Car in the World = Porsche GT9 - 254mph

The Fastest Car In The World Is....

So we've gone through the top 10, and here is the fastest car in the world, the Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero. The 1287 hp V8 powers this carbon fibre clad "Hyper-car" all the way to 257mph! It gets to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds, and will power it's way down a 1/4 mile strip in 9.9 seconds. This is one FAST car!

Number 1 Fastest Car in the World = Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero - 257mph

Video of the SSC Ultimate Aero

Interesting to know that SSC are working on (and will be producing) the Ultimate Aero EV. This will be the first 200mph+ electric car powered by a single 500bhp electric motor. It's worth mentioning that SSC are playing around with bolting 2 of their 500bhp motors together for a 100hp electric Hyper-car. Who says you can't have an economical Hypercar?

Check out the rest of this cool cars blog for more cool cars or check out the fast cool cars blog.

Gold Ferrari

Check out these pictures of this cool gold Ferrari for the ultimate car paint...for the ultimate show off.

 

 

Cool Car Sofas

A collection of cool car sofas using car parts to create living room comfort!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercedes to shift C-Class production to U.S?

Several car firms have shifted production to the United States in the past few years to avoid rising labour costs and exchange rates and Mercedes could be expanding that initiative. According to the latest reports out of Germany, Mercedes-Benz in mulling shifting some C-Class production to the U.S.

Mercedes is considering moving some production of its popular C-Class to the United States. If the plan is approved, production of the C-Class would shift from Sindelfingen, Germany to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, presumably at the company’s current M-Class facility. Mercedes’ is considering the shift due to lower wages rates at the Alabama plant. The move would also help safeguard Mercedes’ profits against unfavorable Dollar to Euro exchange rates.

Mercedes has yet to confirm the report – only saying that “there is neither a decision nor a recommendation on C-Class location politics” – but rumors suggest the 4 door, 2 door and wagon variants of the C-Class could be built at the Alabama plant, with the latter likely for export.

No word on when the shift might occur, but the Mercedes SL-Class would likely fill the C-Class' spot at the Sindelfingen plant.

News in brief

GM cancels plans to build unibody pick up trucks - Via Insideline

Russian built Nissans due in 2012 - Via Autocar
2010 Lexus ES sedan pricing announced - Via Edmunds.com

Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom under consideration - Via WorldCarFans

Opel workers in Spain take to the streets to protest - Via Autocar

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) launched an inquiry into second hand cars (UK) - Via MSN UK

Turkey investigates pricing fix - Via Autocar

Audi RS6 V10 set to be replaced by twin-turbo V8 - Via WorldCarFans

Protesters dump manure on Clarksons lawn (UK) - Via Autotrader UK

Land Rover Defender replacement due in 2012 - Via Autocar

Ploue "Peugeots have lost their beauty" - Via Autocar

Uninsured? Say good-bye to your car (UK) - Via WhatCar?

Vauxhall Astra pricing announced (UK) - Via Autocar

Mexcian buyers get more incentives (MX) - Via Edmunds.com

Subaru WRX STI Carbon

Company Subaru has presented the new version of model WRX STI which it prepares to show on a motor show in Tokyo. Even having considered the car in all its aspects, to understand sense of its release difficult enough.

In general, STI already long time accuse that it a little greasy, however when you build a sport car, taking for a basis a plebeian body, you should be ready to it. Plus, STI in itself, being serious enough car, nevertheless did not hold out to level Mitsubishi EVO. Perhaps, in the company just also wished to eliminate all these problems, having exhausted the new version? Well-well.

Meet WRX STI Carbon. A roof at it – from carbon fiber. And a five-speed transmission – from Legacy. And it not the mechanical. Ah yes, seaters… upholstered with suede. That's all. No, actually the roof from carbon very much is pleasant to me, she allows to lower weight and the centre of gravity, but an automatic gear box for enthusiasts? In general, this time i dont understand Subaru.

Nissan 370Z Wallpaper

Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z Wallpaper

Nissan 370Z Photo

Nissan 370Z Picture

Nissan 370Z Images

BMW Z4 Wallpaper

BMW Z4

BMW Z4 Wallpaper

BMW Z4 Photo

BMW Z4 Picture

Tesla Roadster Wallpaper

Tesla Roadster

Tesla Roadster Wallpaper

Tesla Roadster Photo

Tesla Roadster Picture

Hot News Up Date: Jaguar XE

Jaguar’s next generation of sports cars is on the verge of ditching its E-type-inspired oval grille because the design isn’t sufficiently adaptable.

The company’s designers are struggling to stretch the shape to fit the nose of the two new models: the XK and new XE.

“The problem is that the proportions are all wrong when the shape is stretched. They’re not sure if it has got much more life left,” said an insider.

The solution also hasn’t been decided yet, although it could be argued that a shape like that of the new XJ/XF grille makes sense for a small car company like Jaguar, which could boost its brand clarity by focusing on a single, memorable grille design.

Getting the BMW Z4-sized front-engined, rear-drive XE to market is taking longer than some insiders had hoped. Although the two-seater is being planned in aluminium as a platform derivative of the next-generation XK coupé and convertible, the exact direction of each model is the subject of a fierce debate internally.

One faction reckons the next XK needs to get bigger and more luxurious to make room for the smaller car. That envisages the XK growing up to a size close to Maserati’s GranTurismo and featuring a pair of proper rear seats.

But another wants the XK to keep to its current theme and dimensions, which historically has been the foundation of its sales. The challenge is engineering the two cars on the same platform so they share costly elements like the front bulkhead and engine bay, but are also positioned sufficiently apart from each other to appeal to different customers at different price points.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Jaguar Hatchback to Launch in 2014

Jaguar is working on a dramatically styled five-door sports hatch featuring lightweight alloy bodywork and new, direct-injection V6 petrol engines.

Priced from £40k, the compact five-door is pencilled in for production around 2014, when it will line up alongside a new front-engined sports car and an estate version of the XF as extensions to Jaguar’s model line-up.

Intended as a luxurious but practical five-seater combining excellent fuel economy with good performance and handling, the sports hatch still awaits the production go-ahead, but is being championed at the highest levels of the company.

Thanks to: Autocar