A N D O N I S 04 Jul, 2011
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Source: http://andoniscars.blogspot.com/2011/07/hello-holden-cruze.html
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"And as our centrepiece for the Melbourne Show, it also demonstrates the capability of the Holden Design Studio, which is an industry leader in stunning global show vehicles."
The Japanese people from Mazda decided to create a special edition of the current MX-5 Roadster Coupe. The new limited edition is called Karai and is specially designed for the German customers. According to the first details, Mazda plans to market 165 units of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe Karai for Germany at a starting price of €30,000.
The new Karai edition, which is the Japanese for “sharp”, is designed by Mazda’s European Design department and features the exclusive Metal Green Metallic body paint. Other aesthetic features include a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels with low profile tires, side mirrors and fog lamps housing in glossy black finish but also some interior styling improvements.
Inside, Mazda fitted the MX-5 Roadster Coupe Karai edition with aluminum pedals, a new leather steering wheel with white stitching, glossy black interior trim and new Recaro sport seats with white stitching but also black leather and Alcantara. Opting for an optional sport package you will get iPod and USB connectivity but also a new set of floor mats in addition to the standard offering. Of course, being based on the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, the Japanese model comes with a retractable hardtop which also suffers some styling modifications.
Under the bonnet, power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine able to produce 160 horsepower while a new exhaust and a revised suspension system are available at an extra cost. The new Mazda MX-5 Karai that is limited at 165 units will be available for order starting next month, as mentioned, only in Germany. According to the Japanese manufacturer, buying the new MX-5 Karai special edition will bring you a Sinn watch matching the car’s colors for no extra cost.
Rikk 04 Jul, 2011Toyota Racing Development (TRD) decided to reveal the new PLUS Performance Package for the current Prius, the best-selling hybrid in America as Toyota claims. The new accessory package dedicated to the American hybrid model has been previewed at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.
To begin with, the Japanese manufacturer prepared a styling package with new exterior colors, Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Winter Gray Metallic to be more precise, but also a new set of five-spoke 17-inch forged alloy wheels fitted with 215/45R17 low rolling resistance tires able to improve the figures.
The PLUS Performance Package also brings a body kit made of seven pieces, including a new set of side skirts, a rear diffuser but also new front and rear bumpers. The new line of accessories is dedicated to the U.S. market in a limited edition while the orders start in July. At the interior, you will get special carpet floor mats alongside custom badging.
Moreover, the Japanese manufacturer claims that there are some performance upgrades too, Toyota Racing Development bringing a revised suspension system able to lower the ground clearance by around 1 inch. A tuned rear sway bar made of carbon spring steel is added to help reduce body lean for flatter cornering and maneuverability.
“Developed to meet the evolving demands of the growing hybrid segment, PLUS enhances the driving experience for Toyota hybrid enthusiasts by offering cool and fun accessories that add sporty looks with performance handling. It features several Toyota accessories that complement the Prius’ core values of Eco and Advanced Technology. PLUS is an evolution of hybrid design, where fuel-efficiency co-exists with aggressive styling and performance handling,” claims Toyota.
If you want to get your hands on one of these units fitted with the PLUS Performance Package, you should hurry up as the orders already begun and there are only few to go.
Rikk 04 Jul, 2011The Fiat 500′s popularity is not about to die out soon which means that people are going to be very interested, to say the least, in creating customized versions.
A very recent model in such a lineup is called the Fiat 500 Marcia Corta and there’s quite a lot of credentials that go into this small Italian hatchback to make it stand out.
First and foremost, the Fiat 500 Marcia Corta is the brainchild of a couple of true petrolheads, both of which had previously found work at Pininfarina.
Secondly, they didn’t do this in their shed or kitchen. The new Fiat 500 Marcia Corta is what spurred the two to come together and create a new company just for this purpose.
This new company is called the Camal and their special edition of the Fiat 500 still has one last plus point to show off.
With a designer and an engineer working on a very popular car with their heart and soul, the Fiat 500 Marcia Corta is a rally inspired road car.
The two participants in the Camal project are called Alessio Minchella, he did the updated design and Alessandro Camorali who took duty in doing the surface and product development.
Interestingly enough, for a new ambitious company, Camal doesn’t plan to charge you millions for a small little hatchback with a couple of extra headlights and a race like interior.
Quite the contrary, as everything Camal does to the Fiat 500 in order to make it worthy for the Marcia Corta branding is pretty small and tweak-ish.
While you do get upgraded brakes, racing wheels and semi slick tires, the suspension setup doesn’t get an significant changes and nor does the engine.
As a result, Camal claim that the Fiat 500 Marcia Corta will be a decently priced creation, making the rally inspired car, hopefully as popular as other limited editions of the car.
While all of the small and niggly bits are being worked out, we can enjoy the available renderings of the Marcia Corta which unveil most of the pleasant bit.
Just grab a second look at the four integrated headlamps, the slightly more bulbous aerodynamics effects and the special liveries that come with it.
By the time all of the boring details get sorted out and Camal actually gets round to making a prototype for the Fiat 500 Marcia Corta they’ll have to overcome one last big hurdle.
The company needs to find somebody to take care of production and distribution of their creation.
Source: Camal
Lupica G. 03 Jul, 2011The Australian arm of Ford didn’t slouch around while in preparation for the latest Melbourne event because they came up with this new concept.
Called the FPV Falcon GT Concept, it employs a very special engine, has a “murdered out” exterior and it’s Ford’s pride moment at the Australian International Motor Show.
Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett stated that the way to look at this hot sedan concept is as a package of improved design and performance elements coming beautifully together.
I have to say, I agree with him, and you’ll soon find out why. For starters, not only does this FPV Concept look better than the standard Falcon, I think it actually is more interesting than the Chevrolet based Colorado pickup Holden plans to reveal.
The exterior changes are relatively minimal, with the 19 inch one-piece forged alloy wheels, the enlarged brake ducts and modified front bumper that incorporates them being pretty much all that was done.
At the end of the day, all of these bits are covered in the so-called Silhouette black paintwork and a matte finish stripe package.
Presence and appearance were cleared out so we might as well consider the performance side of the story.
Under the bonnet of the FPV Falcon GT Concept there’s a supercharged 5.0 liter Boss V8 which develops 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.
That said, the enlarged brake ducts aren’t there for show, they’ve been added to accommodate the new brake package with performance written all over it. It features larger six-piston brake calipers up front and four-piston brake calipers at the rear.
High speed details which aren’t visible on first sight include a completely new suspension system, one designed with track specifications in mind.
At the limit of performance versus appearance details we find the full stainless steel high-flow twin exhaust system with quad black exhaust tips at the back.
All of the visible details be them performance or otherwise were painted by Ford of Australia in the same Silhouete black paint with some of those matte finishes.
Inside, FPV made sure everything is as black as it is on the exterior. This includes the typical black leather, the black finish of the dashboard and even some black tinted windows.
The best part about this Falcon concept, is that Ford Performance Vehicle will be asking attendants at the Melbourne Motor Show about how interested they’d be in buying something like that.
Lupica G. 03 Jul, 2011