Archive for November, 2009
2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
Posted by: | Comments2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab A perfectly adequate truck. Our test vehicle’s sticker wasn’t a shock; a four-wheel-drive Double Cab V-8 pickup, reasonably equipped, seems like it should cost about $30K. Our tester had the new-for-2010 entry-level V-8 engine, a 4.6-liter unit that replaces the previous 4.7-liter but offers 34 additional horsepower and 14 additional lb-ft of torque. It also teams up with the six-speed automatic transmission that previously was offered only with the optional 5.7-liter V-8.inline_mediumwraptextright27246544/reviews/editors_notebook/0911_2010_toyota_tundra_double_cab0911_13_z+2010_toyota_tundra_double_cab+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab – Toyota Fullsize Pickup Truck Review – Automobile Magazine Read More | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us
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2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
BMW motorsport cuts
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BMW continues motorsport cuts
BMW is expected to announce further cuts to its motorsport programme on 5 December.
The German firm pulled out of Formula One earlier this year and is now expected to announce cuts to its World Touring Car Championship programme later this week.
BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen would only say that “a decision on next year’s programme will be taken on December 5″.
The firm supplied five works cars in this year’s championship but this is likely to be cut down to two in 2010. Alex Zanardi announced his retirement from the sport this week and the ROAL Motorsport works BMW team, which ran Zanardi and his team mate Sergio Hernandez, is expect to quit the sport in the wake of the Italian’s decision.
Schnitzer Motorsport, which ran two of the works cars, is expected to remain a BMW works team but its attentions will shift to running BMW M3 GT2s in the Nurburgring endurance series races. This will leave UK-based RBM to run two works 320si cars in 2010 instead of one, with Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus the likely driver line up.
In a further blow to the WTCC, Seat is expected to reduce its works effort from five cars to two. Chevrolet will run at least three works cars, with Lada supplying three Prioras once again.
source autocar.co.uk
Mercedes SLK or Baby SLS AMG spy ?
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New Mercedes SLK… or is it the baby SLS AMG?
Two prototypes have recently been spotted in the German town of Sindelfinegen near to Stuttgart. One, previously seen wearing the very same camouflage, was believed to be the upcoming 2012 SLK. And that it still may be. But since the approval of a smaller, ‘baby’ SLS AMG, all may not be as it seemed.
A source speaking to Autocar confirmed that as the SLS AMG is positioned above the SL63 AMG, the new model will be placed a similar distance above the SLK55 AMG.
Speculatively speaking, what once was SLK material may in fact be that of the forthcoming ‘baby’ SLS. Sources suggest gullwing doors will be ditched on cost-saving grounds, so no clues there. The closest shots yet taken do however allow for the first interior snapshots and a better glimpse of the single bar grille on the front fascia.
We could of course be way off the mark and the SLK is simply manouvering closer towards a more classical design, ditching the famed F1 nose of the current generation model. We’ll keep you posted.
source wcf
Audi A7 on Moscow motor show
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Audi A7 set for Moscow launch
Audi’s new Mercedes CLS-rivalling A7 is likely to be launched at the Moscow motor show in August 2010 and go on sale later next year.
Sources have revealed, however, that it will only have a small price premium over the next A6 saloon on which it’s based.
Spec for spec you’ll pay around £2000 more, which means prices could start at around £28,000.
At first all models are likely to have range-topping engines and four-wheel drive, but the company still hasn’t decided whether four or five seats will be standard.
source autocar.co.uk
BAIC admits Saab interest
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BAIC admits Saab interest
BAIC’s general manager has admitted the company is still interested in buying Saab.
Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp had been a minority partner in the failed takeover planned by Koenigsegg.
Now, asked whether BAIC would consider approaching GM to buy Saab outright or as part of a consortium, its general manager Wang Dazong said: “I would just say, ’stay tuned a little bit.’”
However, GM is understood to be concerned at the prospect of handing its intellectual property rights over to a rival car maker – a problem which undermined BAIC’s interest in Opel/Vauxhall earlier this year.
Regardless, Wang underlined BAIC’s determination to become a global car maker.
“For us, I don’t see a need to buy a plant. I don’t see a need to buy a building. I don’t see a need to buy a robot. So what’s left? You figure it out,” he said.
“I cannot control GM’s timetable. I would just say we are very dynamic and impatient people. We want to do things fast.”
Asked what he liked about Saab, Wang said: “Saab, as I said before, has a pretty good brand. It has global recognition and a good history. From my dealing with them, it has pretty good people and a pretty good technology depth as well.”
GM’s board is due to meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to decide whether to seek a new buyer or put Saab into liquidation.
source autocar.co.uk
Bmw 5 series more pictures
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BMW 5-series – more pictures
This is the new BMW 5-series four-door saloon, the sixth generation of its second biggest seller, which first appeared in 1972.
Despite its familiar format, the new BMW 5-series, which goes on sale after the Geneva motor show next March, breaks new ground by importing much of the equipment and technology of the recently launched 7-series, reinstating a driver-oriented fascia design which BMW dropped for one generation, and adopting a sophisticated new double-wishbone front suspension set-up.
New BMW 5-series picture gallery – more pictures
New BMW 5-series picture gallery – original picture selection
VIDEO – New BMW 5-series on video
BMW 5-series’s design explained
There are seven engine options at launch, and BMW is stressing the importance of the UK market (and that fact that it has noticed the good reception of Mercedes’ new E-class) by issuing UK prices more than four months early.
Design and dimensions
The biggest change to the proportions of the new 5-series is its adoption of an 80mm longer wheelbase, at 2970mm.
This improves rear cabin room allows a long bonnet, a low roofline and 50/50 weight distribution, and gives the car balanced proportions with relatively short overhangs front and rear. The kidneys of the grille are vertical rather than raked, designers say, to portray the car’s sporting character.
The styling relationship with the outgoing 5-series is obvious, but the car is less controversial than its predecessor, with a sleeker appearance apparently designed to enhance the visual differences between the 5-series and the 3-series, which has adopted a more grown-up look.
The saloon’s wheelbase is still 100mm shorter than the 3070mm shared by the 7-series and the 5 GT.
Chassis
BMW promises “a more composed ride” with no reduction in dynamic capability now that the 5-series has adopted a longer wheelbase, and the 7-series’ sophisticated double-wishbone, coil-sprung front suspension system to replace the traditional MacPherson struts. The rear suspension is an independent multi-link system.
All new 5s get electric power steering, with Servotronic (speed-dependent) assistance, which saves weight and drag on the engine. It’s a big step for BMW, which has continued to prefer the ‘feel’ of electro-hydraulic systems as rivals have adopted electric set-ups.
More sophisticated 5s will have the latest electronic chassis traction control and stability equipment as before, but for the first time they will have a driver-operated chassis configurator. Called DDC (Driver Dynamic Control), it has settings for normal, comfort, sport and sport+, and it groups functions in one control. BMW’s development chief Klaus Draeger, said, “We have built a car as agile and as lightfooted as a 3-series”.
Selection of any setting will automatically change and match parameters for steering assistance, throttle sensitivity, auto gearchange characteristics, the degree of intervention of the stability control, and, if the car has adjustable dampers, its ride character.
Among other optional gadgets will be park assistance sensors, lane departure warning, surround-view cameras, head-up display, night vision and speed limit monitoring systems.
Engines and transmissions
The new 5-series powertrains maintain BMW’s trick of delivering class-leading pace with impressive fuel economy and low CO2 output, grouped under Efficient Dynamics.
The biggest-selling UK model is likely to be the 1995cc, 181bhp 520d, whose 280lb ft delivers a 0-62 mph time of 8.1sec and a 141mph top speed. It offers combined fuel consumption of 56.5mpg, while emitting just 132g/km of CO2.
Above that are two models powered by the same 2993cc straight-six diesel: the 201bhp 525d and the 242bhp 530d. The more powerful of these sprints from 0-62mph in just 6.3sec, while emitting 166g/km of CO2 and returning 44.8.mpg.
The four petrol engines comprise two naturally aspirated straight sixes (201bhp 523i and 254bhp 528i), a single-turbocharged straight six (302bhp 535i) and the 401bhp, twin-turbo V8 550i.
Even the slowest of these takes just 7.9sec for a 0-62mph sprint and gets within a whisker of 150mph flat out. The 550i SE, with peak torque of 448lb ft, can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.0sec. It returns 27.2mpg and emits 243g/km of CO2.
BMW’s eight-speed auto gearbox will be available as on option on all models (it offers lower CO2 emissions than the manual on the 525d) and as standard on the 550i; a six-speed manual is standard on all other cars, as is stop-start.
Prices
BMW UK has revealed prices more than four months ahead of launch, probably to interrupt the success of the new E-class and to highlight improved standard equipment levels.
The 520d SE will cost £28,165 on the road, £625 more than the outgoing model. But this includes extra kit (leather seats are now standard on all 5s, along with an improved stereo) which would previously have cost over £2000.
List price of the lowly petrol 523i SE is £30,560 and the 550i SE costs £49,440.
UK bosses expect right-hand-drive cars to be available “within weeks” of the 5-series’ launch date on 20 March.
Steve Cropley by autocar.co.uk
