Hot Cars

Scion Announces Pricing For 2008 tC

Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced pricing for the 2008 tC sports coupe and tC Spec Package models. The 2008 tC and tC Spec Package will be available at dealerships next month.

The core model tC receives freshened styling, new standard equipment and safety features for 2008. Exterior changes include a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille, projector-type low beam headlights with black trim, and rear tail lights similar in style to the tC’s headlights with round combination lamps. The tC also receives a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric and a Pioneer subwoofer located under the cargo area.

Like all 2008 Scion models, the tC comes standard with seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and two complimentary factory- recommended maintenance services, at 5,000 and 10,000 miles, at any Scion or Toyota dealer. The factory recommended maintenance includes an oil change, a tire rotation, a visual brake inspection, and the topping off of washer fluid.

Apple iPod connectivity becomes standard on all 2008 Scion models. Scion’s standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit’s screen. Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car’s stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit, steering wheel audio controls or iPod. A standard mini-jack port also allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC’s Pioneer speakers.

Scion also offers a Pioneer Premium audio system that adds the ability to download “skins” to play on the organic electroluminescent (OEL) faceplate. Customers can download images, four-second video clips and eight-second movies from Pioneer’s website. Pioneer software also allows customers to burn their own images and movies onto a CD and upload them onto the available head unit. The premium audio system also has head unit outputs on the rear for the addition of external amps.

New to the accessory line up for the 2008 model year is the Scion navigation system. The system features a 160-watt maximum power audio/video/navigation unit with seven-inch LCD touch screen.

The tC Spec Package model, a blank canvas for the tuner community to express its creativity, also receives the grille, deep orange combination meter and silver-colored interior accents in addition to the new airbags and iPod connectivity across the Scion line-up.

The tC Spec Package will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $15,300 for a manual transmission and $16,100 for an automatic transmission, an increase of $300, or 2.0 percent and 1.9 percent respectively.

With the additional standard equipment, the base MSRP for the core model tC is $17,000 for the manual transmission and $17,800 for the automatic transmission, an increase of $600, or 3.7 percent and 3.5 percent respectively. MSRP does not include delivery, processing and handling fees, which vary depending on location.

Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 Concept

The Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 concept is set to make its UK debut at the GTI International show, an independently organised event which will be held over the weekend of 16/17 June at Bruntingthorpe proving ground in Leicestershire. Marking the 30 th anniversary of the GTI’s arrival in the UK, the GTI W12 – the most powerful Golf every produced by Volkswagen – will be seen for the first time since its unveiling at a GTI enthusiast event in Austria last month.

The GTI W12-650 is powered by a bi-turbo W12 engine developing 650 PS – a full 450 PS increase over the standard Golf GTI. Unlike the standard car the W12-powered GTI channels its drive through its rear wheels via a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

Not only is the GTI W12 lower (by 70 mm) and wider (by 160 mm) than the car on which it’s based but it is also faster. From a standstill the GTI W12 can hit 62 mph in only 3.7 seconds and won’t relent until it’s reached an estimated 201 mph.

Keeping the GTI W12 stable at high speeds are sophisticated under body aerodynamics linked to a carbon fibre roof incorporating a scoop on its trailing edge to feed air into the mid-mounted engine. The GTI W12 features a floating C-pillar to allow the rear windows to sweep inwards and channel airflow into the radiators.

The GTI International gathering is celebrating its 20 th anniversary with an estimated 20,000 fans set to attend in a diverse range of GTI models from across the five generations. Journalists will have the opportunity to join the fans and set a time up the quarter mile sprint in the latest 230 PS Golf GTI Edition 30 or the range-topping Golf R32. Joining the Golf GTI W12 on display will be examples of historic Volkswagens, race cars and the GTI-rivalling Sportline Transporter vans. Unique approved Volkswagen accessories will also make their debut at the event.

Sinister Six The Evil BMW

Modified by Alpine work from a BMW 645 convertible, Sinister Six has got to be one of the most evil looking modified car. It is equipped with a 26 inch wheel where it has at least 7 monitor installed in its interior.

New BMW X5 4.8i M Sport

BMW’s ever-popular M Sport derivative is to be introduced to the new BMW X5 range for the first time. On sale now, the new flagship offers customers a substantial level of sports-orientated standard equipment when compared to SE specification to offer a distinctive and dynamic range-topping model.

The new BMW X5 4.8i M Sport comes equipped with 19-inch V-spoke M light alloy wheels, Sports suspension, M Aerodynamic body styling, Sports seats, matt aluminium surround to the side window frames, high-gloss Shadowline roof rails, Anthracite headlining and M leather steering wheel. Customers wishing to further differentiate their cars can also choose to upgrade to 20-inch M V-spoke light alloy wheels.

The introduction of M Sport to the BMW X5 range has been eagerly awaited by buyers as 90 per cent of the previous models sold were specified as a Sport.

The new BMW X5 4.8i M Sport will be available in six colours: Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Carbon Black, Monaco Blue, Space Grey, Titanium Silver. Inside and Nevada leather upholstery is standard and is available in Black, Grey, Beige and Saddle Brown hues. Dark Walnut interior trim is standard on the X5 4.8i M Sport but customers can specify Brushed Aluminium, Dark Bamboo or Light Poplar at no additional cost.

Power for the car comes from a 4,799cc engine fitted with Bi-VANOS and VALVETRONIC variable valve technologies to produce 355hp. The advanced engine is capable of propelling the car from zero to 62mph in 6.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 150mph. The 4.8-litre powerplant still records 22.6mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 299g/km – both figures that better rival products from Porsche and Audi.

The introduction of a new variant to the X5 range comes as the sales figures reveal that the model is exceeding original expectations. Customer demand for the BMW X5 means the model is forward sold until the end of 2007. The 3.0-litre diesel engined variant is still the most popular X5 accounting for more than 90 per cent of orders.

The BMW X5 4.8i M Sport costs £53,440 OTR. M Sport will be offered on 3.0d and 3.0si models later in 2007 and further details will be announced nearer the time.

Phantom Silver Marks 100th Anniversary Of Silver Ghost

Rolls-Royce has produced a limited edition, named Phantom Silver, to mark the 100 th anniversary of the Silver Ghost. The special model, of which only 25 will be made, pays homage to one of the most famous automotive names of all time.

First built in 1906, specifically to publicise the then new Rolls-Royce 40/50 h.p. six-cylinder model, the Silver Ghost established the Rolls-Royce reputation for reliability and engineering excellence. The name was coined in 1907 by Rolls-Royce Managing Director, Claude Johnson, by virtue of its silver coachwork and its ‘extraordinary stealthiness’.

The original Silver Ghost, registered AX-201, competed in the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial, for which it won the gold medal in its class for hill climbing speed and reliability. The Silver Ghost went on in that year to break the world record for a non-stop motor run, covering a London to Glasgow route 27 times, with mileage totaling 14,371 miles.

More than 6,000 “Silver Ghosts” were built between 1907 and 1925, and sold in every corner of the world. The majority are still in good running order.

In tribute to the specifications of the original, the Phantom Silver is finished in a new Bespoke paint, Metallic Ghost Silver. The 21-inch wheels have chrome centres and on top of the grille sits a hallmarked solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy. Inside, Rose Leaf or Crème Light leather is accompanied by seat piping and headrests embroidered with the Rolls-Royce interlinked RR badge. Straight grained Santos Palissander wood veneer is used throughout. The same veneer is also used on a specially designed presentation box that houses the key, two solid silver key fobs and a specially commissioned solid silver Conway Stewart fountain pen.

Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, “The Silver Ghost is such a significant model in the history of Rolls-Royce that we felt marking its 100 th anniversary was entirely fitting. Its extraordinary reliability, refinement, comfort and virtually silent running were as important to Rolls-Royce in 1907 as they are today.”

Phantom Silver specification

- Bespoke Ghost Silver paintwork
- 21-inch alloy wheels chrome centre caps
- Roseleaf or Crème Light leather interior trim
- Santos Palissander veneered wood
- Coolbox
- Solid silver and enamel Conway Stewart pen
- Solid silver key fob
- Solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy
- Bespoke drinks holder
- Bespoke champagne flutes and tumblers detailed with silver
- White instrument dials
- Bespoke clock matched to instrument dials
- Phantom Silver tread plates

Mazda Releases Revamped AZ-Wagon

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of freshened models in the Mazda AZ-Wagon micro-mini range, which has already won high praise for its “space utility wagon” concept. The upgraded models go on sale today and are available at Mazda Autozam, Mazda, and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

Improvements have been made to the AZ Wagon’s interior and exterior quality levels. Depending on the model, new seat upholstery and door trim, Mazda’s advanced keyless entry & start system, and door mirror covers with embedded indicator lights are now available. Additionally, the AZ-Wagon Custom Style range has been expanded, adding the new T grade that features a turbocharged engine.

The target sales volume of the entire Mazda AZ-Wagon range is 2,200 units a month.

Main features of the revamped Mazda AZ-Wagon

Exterior

- Front fog lamps have been added (FT-S Special)
- New alloy wheels with a more stylish design (FX-S Special and FT-S Special)
- Highly visible turn indicator lights affixed to the door mirror covers (FT-S Special)
- New body colors, Jewel Purple Pearl Metallic (FX-S Special and FT-S Special) and the pink-tinged Antique Rose Metallic (FX, FX-S Special and FT-S Special) have been added to the existing color range

Interior

- Freshened seat upholstery and door trim design (all grades except those in the Custom Style range)
- Advanced keyless entry & start system that makes locking/unlocking the doors and starting the engine easier. (FX-S Special and FT-S Special)

Main features of the new T grade in the Mazda AZ-Wagon Custom Style range

- M Turbo engine which develops high torque from low- to mid-rpm
- Highly visible turn indicator lights affixed to the door mirror covers
- Advanced keyless entry & start system