Ahead of the 2008 Geneva Motor Show (March 6-16, 2008), MINI presents its John Cooper Works and John Cooper Works Clubman, the first two models to be launched by the manufacturer under the brand MINI John Cooper Works. The 1.6 litre 4-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection delivers 155 kW (211hp) and the MINI John Cooper Works accelerates in 6.5 seconds from 0–100 km/h. Both models are also fitted with extensive motor racing technology as standard such as light alloy, a new exhaust system and the modified 6-speed manual transmission. Produced at the British MINI plant in Oxford, the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will both be available from August 2008.
New Mini John Cooper Works and Mini John Cooper Works Clubman
February 26th, 2008Volvo Reveals First Photos of the new XC60
February 21st, 2008
Volvo XC60 Crossover
Feb. 20, 2008, Irvine, CA - Volvo has released the first photos of one of this year’s most anticipated new car launches - the all-new 2009 Volvo XC60. “This is not only the safest Volvo ever - it’s also the most stunning,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp. The new XC60 makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4. The first cars will reach dealers in Europe in fall 2008 with the U.S. launch following shortly thereafter; the first quarter of 2009.
Volvos’ new XC60 crossover steps boldly into what is the motoring world’s toughest and fastest-growing segment - the “Small Premium Utility.” It blends a dynamic mix of two styles. Down below, the unmistakeable, immensely capable XC pumps its muscles. Up top, the daring lines create the elegant, sporty charisma of a coupe.
Volvo ReCharge Concept
February 20th, 2008The ReCharge is a new hybrid gas-electric concept from Volvo. Aptly named for its ability to recharge itself while running. All the concepts seem sound in theory and Volvo hopes we will see these cars on the streets soon.
Three Concept Cars from Mazda
February 20th, 2008Here are three concept vehicles meant to be design studies from Mazda:
- Ryuga
- Taiki
- Hakaze
2008 Chicago Auto Show Concept Cars
February 20th, 2008A quick run through of the concept vehicles at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, featuring the Hummer HX Concept. Enjoy!
Rinspeed’s Zero-Emission World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show - a Green “Fish” with Q-Factor
February 15th, 2008
The Rinspeed sQuba Concept
Thirty years after the movie thriller ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ hit the silver screen “sQuba” is the first car that can actually ‘fly’ under water.
Zumikon - “Dive it again, James!” If the situation gets too hot for the secret agent he’ll go underground - or under water. So demonstrated impressively by Roger Moore in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me” in 1977 when he dove below the waves in a sleek vehicle that moments before seemed to be an ordinary car. The only problem: The scene never really took place; it was an animation.
With the “sQuba,” the world’s first real submersible car, the movie fake now becomes reality for visitors of the Geneva Motor Show (March 6th - 16th, 2008). Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht (52) is known for his extraordinary automotive creations. The acknowledged James Bond enthusiast and Swiss automobile visionary kept revisiting this scene in his mind over and over: “For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true.”
Preowned Car of the Month: Chevy Cobalt
February 6th, 2008
2008 Chevy Cobalt
The market for mid-size sedans is crowded and is currently dominated by imports like Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. For good reason: they are built to last and give good value for money, plus they are a pleasure to drive.
For a long while it has seemed like the domestic manufacturers have almost given up on the niche. The Chevy Cavalier was clumsy half-hearted attempt at producing a car. Cavaliers were plagued with build quality issues. In particular, later models suffered from subpar materials quality, not to mention the outdated design.
The Chevy Cobalt is Chevy’s replacement for the aging Cavalier line. With Chevy’s failings on the Cavalier it’s easy to have low expectations with the Cobalt. We recently test drove Chevy Cobalt LT for about a month and there are some rather pleasant things that stood out.
Mazda Achieves Best January In 14 Years
February 3rd, 2008
2007 Mazda5
IRVINE, Calif. – Coming off a year in which its sales grew more than 10 percent, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported its best January since 1994 with sales of 21,212 vehicles for January 2008, accounting for a 10.2 percent increase versus last year.
MAZDA6 celebrated its best-ever January with sales of 6,333 units, up 27.0 percent over last year. Not to be outdone, the MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle, which has been freshened for 2008 and only on the market for a short time, also celebrated its best-ever January with sales of 1,699 units, accounting for a 28.4 percent increase.
Mazda CX-9, which was recently named North American Truck of the Year, reported sales of 1,850 units while its sibling, CX-7, recorded 2,555 units sold. January sales were led in volume by MAZDA3, which reported sales of 6,579 units.
