Hot Cars

SsangYong Rexton Gets Two New Limited Editions In The UK

SsangYong UK Ltd announced the addition of two Limited Edition models to the well established Rexton range: Rexton S Sport and Rexton SE Sport.

Rexton S Sport

Based upon the Rexton 2.7 S Manual 5 Seat, the Rexton S Sport features the following equipment upgrades:

- Satellite navigation system
- Texas alloy wheels
- Chicago side bars with steps
- Only 90 Rexton S Sport models will be offered for sale.

The retail value of these special equipment items is £1,700, but the Rexton S Sport is available at a retail price of £19,995, only £1,000 above the standard model.

Rexton SE Sport

Based upon the Rexton 2.7 SE Manual 5 Seat, the Rexton SE Sport features the following equipment upgrades:

- Kenwood satellite navigation system
- Montana 18″ alloy wheels
- Denver side steps
- Rear parking assist

Only 65 Rexton SE Sport models will be offered for sale.

The retail value of these special equipment items is £4,750, but the Rexton SE Sport is available at a retail price of £23,995, only £3,000 above the standard model.

2007 Aston Martin Nurburgring V8 Vantage

Aston Martin announced at the 2006 British International Motor Show that the V8 Vantage that recently competed at the 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring would be made available to customers in limited numbers.

The factory prepared Aston Martin V8 Vantage took its place in the company’s history books after finishing 24th overall at the race, among a field of largely motorsport-homologated cars last month.

Customers are able to order examples of the same car, which will be built to order at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters from August.

The V8 Vantage is almost entirely production standard, including the engine and transmission. The only modifications made – for safety and pit-lane efficiency – include a full mandatory safety cage, special fuel tank and fire system, racing seat, and built-in air jacks.

As the Vantage remains production standard, it can still be made road legal, allowing customers to drive from home and race at the track – as did the Vantage which completed the 24-hour endurance race in Germany in June.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: “By finishing in the top 25 with a standard production Vantage at the Nürburgring, we showed the true capabilities of the car.

“The race marked a real achievement for both the car and the team – and to celebrate this we wanted to make the car available to customers who are motorsport enthusiasts wanting to participate in amateur racing.

“With our dedicated production and engine facilities we have greater flexibility than ever before, allowing us to consider small, special production runs – such as this project.

“One of the virtues of our company is the ability to react to what customers want and, as we demonstrate here, offer the ultimate in personalisation.”

The estimated price of the vehicle starts at £82,800 ($113,200).

BMW Announces Pricing Of All-New 2007 3 Series Coupes

Arriving in US showrooms this September, the newest BMW Coupe once again sets the standard for design, luxury, and performance in its class. The 2007 3 Series Coupe will have a starting MSRP of $35,995 including destination and handling.

enhancements to the standard features as well as the value of the new 328i and 335i have been made, compared to their predecessors. In addition, BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive will be available for the first time in a Coupe in the 328xi. While base prices have increased versus the outgoing versions, the new 3 Series Coupe models now include a substantial number of additional features including:

- More powerful engines (230 and 300 hp vs. 184 and 225)
- More differentiated styling from the sedan
- Xenon adaptive headlights with cornering lights standard
- Rear side head protection system (airbag curtain)
- Enhanced DSC benefits (including brake drying, brake stand-by, brake fade compensation, and start-off assistant)
- Enhanced interior ambiance lighting
- Run-flat tires with Tire Pressure Monitor

The 328i also receives the following additional standard equipment:
- 17″ wheels and tires
- 6-speed manual transmission
In fact, compared to the top-of-the-line 2006 330Ci Coupe, the entry-level 2007 328i Coupe not only offers greater style inside and out, as well as a number of safety enhancements, it also offers even better performance - all for $2,500 less.

The list of options for all models now includes a six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. Option packages for both models represent even greater value with added content as well.

Ownership value has been enhanced with the announcement of BMW Ultimate ServiceTM , a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance) , Roadside Assistance, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty and BMW AssistTM with Teleservice. The new 3 Series Coupes will have BMW AssistTM available as a stand-alone option or as part of the optional Premium Package. As before, included with BMW AssistTM is Bluetooth hands-free phone connectively which includes hands-free access to your phonebook. Starting with model year 2007, BMW AssistTM will be provided for four years. Most other similar services cover only the first year of service.

The 2007 BMW 328i Coupe will be priced at $35,995 while the 335i Coupe, with its 300 horsepower twin-turbo inline six cylinder engine, will have an MSRP of $41,295. The new 328xi Coupe, with BMW’s advanced xDrive all-wheel drive system, will retail for $37,795. All prices include a $695 destination and handling charge.

New 2007 Volkswagen Eos To Roll On Goodyear Tires

While many people will stare at the distinctive folding metal roof of the 2007 Volkswagen Eos as it neatly stows into the trunk, performance driving purists will be looking lower - at the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tires.

VW selected the Goodyear tires in size 235/45R17 for the all-new model that goes on sale in the U.S. late this year.

The Eos will be available in the U.S. with a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four and a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter V6. The car comes with a full complement of standard equipment: stability control, sport seats, and 17-inch alloy wheels on the V6 models.

The Eos model is referred to as “CSC” - coupe/sunroof/convertible - allowing owners to convert the three-panel roof to match the characteristics of a hardtop coupe, an integrated sunroof or a convertible.

The Eagle LS-2 tire features an all-season design with an optimized tread pattern for quiet performance and wide circumferential tread grooves to channel water away.

Goodyear tires are original equipment on many vehicles from Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Toyota. Traditionally, more new vehicles in North America are equipped with Goodyear tires than any other brand.

2007 Seat Leon Cupra

The new León Cupra is hitting the roads – a vehicle in which SEAT has implemented all of the knowledge gained during the current successful World Touring Car Championship season; the Spanish make is, in fact, one of the favourites for the WTCC constructors and drivers championship. For SEAT, whose goal is to create sporty cars with cutting-edge design and the latest technology, the arrival of the new León Cupra is not just a source of satisfaction and pride; it is also essential.

The new Cupra is also a record-breaking car: it is the most powerful SEAT passenger car to date. With 240 hp, the new model sits at the top of SEAT’s sporty range. The León Cupra’s advanced engineering, allied to its agile chassis, looks set to create a stir in the increasingly competitive hot hatch market.

One outstanding feature of the Cupra series has been its powerful and aggressive styling compared with the rest of the range. This is also the case for the new León Cupra.

From the outside, the León Cupra demands attention. Its exclusive front bumper has larger air intakes than usual in order to enable sufficient airflow to cool the 240 hp engine, which purrs away under the chiselled bonnet.

An outstanding feature at the rear of the car is the lower section’s black finish, which emulates the León WTCC’s diffusers. Another unique Cupra feature is the polished steel oval exhaust pipe. The word “CUPRA”, which appears below the rear logo, marks out the new model from other versions. In profile, the Cupra’s most striking feature is its stunning, exclusively designed 7.5J x 18” wheels, as well as the ‘ébano’ black door mirrors.

But to really appreciate the feeling of being in a true sports car, you actually need to step into the new Cupra. The ultra-sporty seats are the first feature which catches the eye. In fact, the Cupra’s seats are so focussed that they could genuinely be racing car seats. They surround the body and include an integrated head restraint.

The second feature that sets the Cupra apart from other versions of the León is its black interior. The car’s pillars and roof are black instead of the usual cream-grey combination. The Cupra’s interior colour scheme perfectly sets off its key features: the striking leather perforated steering wheel against a red background, the gear stick, the white instrument panel and the sporty metal pedals. Each and every one of these parts bears the unmistakable Cupra logo.

Now let’s turn to the León Cupra’s key feature, the reason why customers will go for this model over any other: its spectacular 2.0 TFSI 240 hp engine. This is the most powerful engine ever installed in a SEAT production car.

With this engine, the León Cupra achieves performance worthy of a WTCC track car with a top speed of 247 km/h, or 153 mph. The Cupra accelerates from 0 to 100 in only 6.4 seconds. Furthermore, it covers the first 1000 metres in only 26.4 seconds. In terms of in-gear acceleration, the León Cupra goes from 80 km/h to 120 km/h in fifth gear in 6.4 seconds. In sixth gear, this takes 8.2 seconds.

Even though the car’s performance is highly sporty, it is also capable of returning impressive fuel consumption, with an average of only 8.6 litres per 100 km (around 32.8 mpg). (Performances and consumption provisional).

In order to successfully transfer all of the engine’s power to the road, the suspension elements of the León’s proven and effective agile chassis have been adapted, while its weight has been reduced. The power steering system has also been modified in order to give the Cupra an even sharper feel compared with other Leóns. These changes provide the highest levels of driving precision, as expected from the most focussed and sporty model in the SEAT range.

Roush Adding 500RC To Ford F-150 Arsenal

Looking for a tow vehicle for your new Ford GT or Shelby Mustang GT500? Roush might just have your number: 500RC. The Ford specialists have just introduced this latest high-power take on the venerable F-150. As seen here, the 500RC generates 445 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, thanks the company’s own ROUSHcharger.

In addition to a surplus of ponies, the company has given the F-Series an exterior once-over, including 20-inch chrome six-spoke wheels, high-performance twin-exit exhaust, and 500RC fender and tailgate badges. And for that added bit of visual kinship with other high-performance Fords, top and side striping is also part of the deal.

Optional extras include a hood scoop (shown), front chin spoiler, and rear wing on the outside; and sport leather seating, billet pedals, and new gauges on the inside.

For those looking to keep a tighter reign on the RC500’s stray ponies, a reworked ‘sport’ suspension system will also be offered.