Hot Cars

Chevy Trax Concept

The Chevrolet Trax is one of three Chevrolet minicar global concepts that General Motors will unveil at the New York International Auto Show on April 4. Designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, these concepts will prove that art needn’t take a back seat just because the canvas is small. The highly creative concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

After the April 4 unveiling, democracy lovers will get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and cast their vote for the concept they prefer. The results will help Chevy determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design resonates best with potential buyers.

All three concepts were designed at GM’ s Design Studio in Incheon, South Korea, one of GM’s 11 Global Design Studios. Built on GM’s global mini architecture, they demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM’s Asia Pacific region.

“These concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design.

The four-door Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine. The upper part of the exterior is bathed in Blaze Orange, while lower corner panels sport a Burnt Orange matte finish. The paint combination provides a look that reinforces the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size.

Amazing LEGO Ferraris

LEGO Enzo Ferrari

LEGO Ferrari F430 Spider

LEGO Ferrari F430 Challenge

LEGO Ferrari F1 Racer

LEGO Ferrari 248 F1

LEGO Scuderia Ferrari truck

LEGO Ferrari Finish Line

LEGO Ferrari Fuel Stop

Photos courtesy of The Lego Group

Volvo S80 Named 2007 AutoMundo Magazine Car of the Year

AutoMundo, the nation’s premier Spanish-language automotive enthusiast publication, today named the all-new Volvo S80 as its 2007 Car of the Year. The prestigious accolade which appears in the magazine’s April issue, follows the S80’s recent debut in the U.S. marketplace and echoes what others are saying about Volvo’s first V8-powered luxury sedan.

The S80 was selected for its revolutionary design, dynamic and youthful driving attributes and Volvo’s legendary safety systems. “The new 2007 Volvo S80 was really the obvious choice,” commented Jorge Koechlin, President and Editor-in-Chief of AutoMundo. “As the company’s first V8-powered car, it really breaks the mold of what AutoMundo has come to expect of Volvo’s cars.”

“The S80 is a true competitor to other European and Japanese luxury sedans,” said Anne Belec, President and CEO of Volvo Cars North America. “This recognition by the editors of AutoMundo is significant, and reflects our belief that Volvo is worthy of consideration in this very competitive segment.”

The all-new Volvo S80 went on sale in December with a starting price of $38,705 for the 235-horsepower inline-6 cylinder engine and $47,350 for the all-wheel-drive-equipped V8 with 311 horsepower. The S80 features a number of standard safety systems including SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution. It also features many driver-assistance systems such as Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Ready Alert Brakes with Electronic Brake Support.

AutoMundo magazine is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Its mission is to publish a premium Spanish-language automotive magazine for the U.S. market with the most comprehensive editorial regarding all aspects of the automotive industry. AutoMundo strives to bring relevant, high-quality content to its Hispanic readers and car enthusiasts.

VCNA, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for nearly 80 years.

The 2007 Volvo Cars model line-up includes: the award-winning S40 and its wagon counterpart the V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan - including the award-winning performance sedan - S60 R and the performance wagon version - V70 R; the all-new flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and, the new C70 convertible.

2007 BMW M5

Currency Motor Carsfrom the US introduced an unprecedented super car. This flagship model is an ingeniously modified BMW M5 that can reach a top speed of 240 mph and features a 810-horsepower engine.

This makes it the fastest, most powerful luxury 4-door luxury sedan on the planet. It’s high compression V10 engine has been brilliantly altered, by company founder Ron Cash, to accommodate twin-turbos and a custom, hand crafted inter-cooled system to kick out an astounding 810 horses.

No one in the world has been able to achieve this until now. This is the only car of it’s kind.

The mind-boggling power of this vehicle is complimented by the exquisite $100,000 alteration of it’s interior. The leather in the steering wheel is the same as the leather in the seats: fully aniline dyed Florida Crocodile in black.

Only the finest suede and leathers have been used, much like the old Delahay and Bugatti roadsters adopted in the 1930’s.

The custom interior is all hand stitched, designed and installed by CMC co-founder Judy Amic-Angelo, one of the most respected product designers in the country.

Jaguar XJ Diesel Named As Britain’s Greenest Luxury Car

Jaguar’s XJ 2.7 Diesel has been named the greenest luxury car on Britain’s roads in the Environmental Transport Association’s 2007 Car Buyers Guide. The award, presented by television presenter Janet Ellis at the RIBS in London recognises Jaguar’s commitment to delivering CO2 and fuel consumption advantages to customers with the development of its industry-leading diesel engines and application of advanced lightweight aluminium vehicle architectures.

The ETA guide lists 2,500 new cars and provides a star-based ranking system that gives consumers an overview of any vehicle’s performance against the following categories; power, carbon dioxide emissions, fuel consumption, noise and safety. The XJ beat off strong competition from the Mercedes-Benz S320 and BMW 7 Series to claim this award – following in the footsteps of its stable mate, the X-TYPE, which won the category in 2006.

Managing Director of Jaguar in the UK, Geoff Cousins said: “We fully recognise our responsibility to the environment and are committed to playing our role in developing technology solutions in cars, fuels and infrastructure to address climate change – this award shows we are heading in the right direction.”

This is the latest in a long line of awards for Jaguar’s flagship model, which last year further demonstrated its fuel economy credentials by covering 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel – the average fuel consumption hitting 53.5mpg* which equates to 139g/km of CO2.

The all-aluminium XJ, face-lifted for 2008, boasts an all-new distinctive design and features a host of state-of the art-technologies including the sound-deadening ‘Vibramount’. Supplied by Avon this technology was nominated for an innovation award at the Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contributions to Excellence) Awards in New York. ‘Vibramount’ has helped the XJ Diesel gain its reputation for world-class smoothness and quietness by countering engine movements to eliminate vibration and noise. Refinement has been improved whilst allowing ride and handling to be optimised.

In the UK, the Jaguar XJ boasts just over 20% share of the large luxury segment and sales in 2006 were up 25% over the previous year. This serves to demonstrate that the XJ is a car that continues to exceed expectations and attract customers who simply love to drive. It was recently voted Luxury Car of the Year in the Business Car Awards.

New Toyota Yaris SR revealed

The Toyota Yaris SR 1.8 is a new flagship model for the Yaris range, bringing sports performance, style and refinement to a car that’s already a leader in terms of safety, equipment and comfort. It is powered by a new 1.8-litre petrol engine with Dual VVT-i technology and benefits from sports-tuned steering and suspension, a striking body kit, 17-inch alloy wheels and a premium equipment specification that offers more in terms of comfort and convenience features than any of its segment rivals.

Add to that Yaris’s class-leading safety performance, with a five-star Euro NCAP adult passenger safety rating and a unique-in-class standard-fit driver’s knee airbag and you have a formidable all-round package.

Beyond the SR 1.8, Toyota is also introducing new SR versions of the Yaris, powered by the 1.3-litre VVT-i petrol and 1.4 D-4D 90 diesel engines. These combine sports styling and high equipment specification with highly competitive prices and ownership costs.

New 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i engine

The SR 1.8 is the first Toyota to be powered by the new 1.8 Dual VVT-i petrol engine, equipped with intelligent timing for both intake and exhaust valves to deliver smoother performance and greater efficiency. Maximum output of 131bhp (133 DIN hp) is achieved at 6,000rpm, with 173Nm of torque delivered at 4,400rpm. This gives nought to 62mph acceleration in 9.3 seconds, with combined cycle fuel economy of 39.2mpg. Carbon dioxide emissions are 170g/km, placing the SR 1.8 in Band E for Vehicle Excise Duty.

Sports chassis, suspension and steering

The SR 1.8’s chassis and suspension are tuned for good handling and ride comfort. The suspension has also been lowered for a more rewarding driving experience and the Electric Power Steering has been adjusted for quicker and more precise response to driver input. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) are provided as standard, in addition to ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Design and equipment

The Yaris SR 1.8 is available in both three and five-door body styles. To complement its sportier performance, it features a rear roof spoiler, side skirts, chrome sports exhaust, LED tail lights and deeper front and rear bumpers, the front fitted with integrated fog lights. The interior is equipped with sports seats and an upholstery fabric that’s exclusive to the model. There’s also a leather trimmed steering wheel, chrome trim detailing and an amber-lit Optitron instrument display with analogue read-outs.

Building on the high specification of the existing Yaris T Spirit model, the SR 1.8 gains exclusive-design 17-inch alloy wheels, plus VSC with TRC and sports pedals. It also features climate control air conditioning with pollen filter, Smart Entry and Start system, six-speaker audio system with CD player and MP3/WMA file playing function (from disc), a reach and rake-adjustable steering column, electrically adjustable door mirrors and front fog lamps.

High equipment, high value SR grade models
The arrival of the SR 1.8 gives the Yaris a new sporty dimension and its impact is spreading further into the model range with the introduction of other new SR versions powered by Toyota’s 1.3-litre VVT-i petrol and 1.4-litre D-4D 90 diesel engines. Launched at the same time as the SR 1.8, these feature models enable customers to enjoy sports styling and high equipment specification with competitive on-the-road prices and ownership costs.

The SR 1.3 and 1.4 D-4D match the current T Spirit specification with the addition of turbine-style 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust finisher, front scuff plates and brushed alloy gear knob. Other high quality features include the Smart Entry and Start system, climate control air conditioning and front fog lamps. In spite of all these extra features, the SR models are £615 cheaper than their T Spirit equivalents.