2010 Mazda CX-7 Overview

The 2010 Mazda CX-7. The changes add up to a great value equation -- the Mazda CX-7 is a great family SUV with cool styling and a sporty driving experience.

For 2010, the Mazda CX-7 boasts new styling and a new base engine. Mazda has addressed this concern with the new model -- the 2010 Mazda CX-7 starts at $2,350 less than the 2009 model. Though the Mazda CX-7 is improved, it still isn't perfect. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 also offer plenty of cargo space, and the RAV4 even boasts an optional third row.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 comes in three trim levels -- the new SV base model, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- with a new 2.5-liter base engine and an optional turbocharged four-cylinder

The turbocharged 244-hp 2.3-liter engine is still available, and this year Mazda raised the turbo engine's fuel economy a bit by making a few engineering tweaks.
Alas, none of these changes address one of the CX-7's more notable drawbacks -- cargo capacity and rear passenger room.
The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a midsize five-passenger crossover SUV available in four trim levels i SV, i Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring.

The well-equipped base i SV trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel and a four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The i Sport adds privacy-tint rear glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob and Bluetooth connectivity.

The s Touring model adds a turbocharged engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats and a rear cargo cover. The top-of-the-line s Grand Touring features 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, a sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, a navigation system, keyless ignition/entry, a rearview camera, electroluminescent gauges, distinct leather upholstery, driver seat memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a four-way power passenger seat and an upgraded Bose audio system with satellite radio and a six-CD changer.

It's paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. The i SV and i Sport are front-wheel-drive only, while the s Touring and s Grand Touring can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. In normal driving situations, the AWD system routes 100 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels. Fuel economy estimates from the EPA for the new 2.5-liter engine are 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for a FWD model.

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags come standard on all trim levels. In crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 did great, garnering a top five-star rating in both front and side collisions. In our own braking testing, the CX-7 s performed excellently for a compact crossover, with fade-free stops from 60 mph in just 113 feet.

Ample hip- and headroom keep CX-7 passengers comfortable, even with all five seats occupied. For more Interior Features information, see our Specifications page.
When it comes to handling and braking performance, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 lives up to Mazda's sporty reputation.

2011 Lamborghini Super Sport Cars Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

The LP570-4 Blancpain Edition was presented today by Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, and Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, at the final race weekend of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo in the “Piero Taruffi” circuit, Vallelunga. The road-legal Blancpain Edition celebrates the two-year relationship between the Italian supercar brand and the watchmaker. Lamborghini’s partnership with Blancpain, the watch maker, is no longer limited to the Super Trofeo racing series as they unveiled together the first road-going Blancpain edition Lamborghini Gallardo.

The new features of the 2011 Lamborghini Super Sport Cars Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition are easily noticeable. It comes with a huge front bumper, massive rear spoiler and diffuser, and new side skirts. These bits are all inspired by the actual racing car, but they look a bit too aggressive for a road car. One other feature derived from the racing model is the new engine cover, which is optimized for better ventilation, and looks superb!

2011 Lamborghini Super Sport Cars Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

“Lamborghini super sports cars is extremely happy about its cooperation with Blancpain. In just its second year, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo has established itself in the premier league of gentlemen’s racing,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “Each race is a battle of dedication and passion for every single hundredth of a second – something that characterizes both of our brands. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition demonstrates the close bond between our road-going super sports cars and the race car.”

The engine that powers the Gallardo Blancpain is the same V10 unit from the series Superleggera production car which churns out 570 hp. Given the 1340 kilograms (2954 lb) weight of the car which results in power-to-weight ratio of 2.35 kilograms (5.18 lb) per hp, this car is capable of going from zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and flies past the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark only 6.8 seconds later, ultimately exceeding 320 km/h (199 mph).

Blancpain is the title sponsor of the successful Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series. The cooperation between these two brands brings together the highest levels of engineering excellence from the automotive and chronometry industries. Blancpain has been producing innovative masterpieces of watch-making art in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux since 1735. Each timepiece is assembled by one single watchmaker, reflecting the quality and individual attention with which Lamborghini builds its super sports cars for the road, and its 570 hp Super Trofeo race cars.

2011 Lamborghini Super Sport Cars Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

Abaut Lamborghini Gallardo : The Lamborghini Gallardo (Italian pronunciation: [ga'?arðo][citation needed]) is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production. Each car costs about $180,000 to $210,000. The car is named after a famous breed of fighting bull. The Spanish word gallardo  translates into "gallant".

The Gallardo offers two choices of transmissions, a conventional (H-Box) six-speed manual transmission, and an advanced six-speed electro-hydraulically controlled semi-automatic robotized manual, which Lamborghini abbreviates to "E-gear". The "E-gear" allows the driver to make shifts much faster than a manual transmission would. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind the steering wheel, but also has an automatic mode.

The car will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show.

MINI Countryman review

Mini is preparing to launch its latest offering, the Countryman, in the UK later this month.

Jochen Goller, director of Mini UK, said that the Countryman "takes the Mini story to a new level".

Back in July, Mini announced that it was to make a comeback on the international rally circuit.

The MINI 4x4 has finally hit UK roads. With a raised ride height, four doors and a usable boot, the new Countryman is no ordinary MINI. We got behind the wheel of the range-topping, four-wheel-drive Cooper S ALL4 to find out. The good news is all the things that make the MINI so popular are present in the Countryman, from the quirky interior to the sporty driving experience and bold styling.

Watch our video review of the MINI Countryman at launch in Germany.

MINI Countryman
The MINI 4x4 has finally hit UK roads. With a raised ride height, four doors and a usable boot, the new Countryman is no ordinary MINI. We got behind the wheel of the range-topping, four-wheel-drive Cooper S ALL4 to find out.
Watch our video review of the MINI Countryman at launch in Germany.

Inside, there’s MINI’s trademark chrome toggle switches and huge central speedometer, plus the new Centre Rail which holds cups, sunglasses and phones.
With the seats all the way back, luggage capacity measures 350 litres, but fold the Countryman’s seats flat, and it has a generous 1,170-litre bay.
Even in standard trim, the Cooper S is £22,030, which is expensive when compared
to rivals – the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-wheel-drive Juke starts from £19,595.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque At 2010 Paris Motor Show

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Front View

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Official Images

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Center Console

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Side View

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Clauster Gauge and Steering Wheel View

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque First Look

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Car Interior

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque At 2010 Paris Motor Show

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Rear View

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Seats Photo

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pictures

New Porsche Cayenne

Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn said a new Porsche small SUV will be brought to market soon as part of plans to expand the sports car brand's lineup to boost sales.
The Porsche Cayenne shares a platform with the VW Touareg and Audi Q7.
Besides a small SUV based on the Audi Q5, Porsche could build a new small sports car.
Commenting that the new model would be used to increase Porsche’s sales numbers, Winterkorn used the name Cajun to describe the baby Cayenne.
VW’s goal for the Porsche brand is to almost double overall sales, pushing total annual output to roughly 150,000 units using volume sales models.
According to Volkswagen Group CEO, Martin Winterkorn, Porsche is working on a baby Porsche Cayenne to extend Porsche’s off-road lineup. Porsche, who owns 50.74 percent share of Volkswagen is yet to confirm or provide definite details.

Reports from German publication, Der Spiegel, quoted Volkswagen boss, Winterkorn, as saying about the project, “A new SUV, a smaller brother to the Cayenne which might be named Cajun.”

2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale

The Italian automaker announced the 2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale, that it will debut the lightest and most powerful variation of the GranTurismo, at this year's 2010 Paris Motor Show. Maserati said the car will boast "razor-sharp handling and will break the 300km/h [187mph] barrier", adding that the reworked body also produces more aerodynamic down force without producing more aerodynamic drag.

2012 Maserati Sport Cars Gran Turismo MC Stradale looks sporty, the bumper and grille has been redesigned. The car also has a large diffuser to improve performance. Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, the two-seater 2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale that will debut at the Paris Auto Show. GranTurismo MC Stradale high-performance model and will be on sale next spring, with £ 105,000 prize.

2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale

2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale is in the GranTurismo S. The basis is seen in power, it features a 4.7L V8 engine, maximum power of 336kw. Corresponds to a 6-speed manual transmission with mechanical top speed to 300 km / h, the 0-100km / h acceleration of about 4.5 seconds.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale responds to demands for a GranTurismo which can balance on-road driving needs with race-driving desires, incorporating the handling and aerodynamic lessons from Maserati's three racing programs.

2012 Maserati Sport Cars GranTurismo MC Stradale

No other details were given on the car but the official photos show a raft of styling upgrades including the new front end with a lower spoiler and additional air ducts, chunkier side skirts, possibly larger front fenders with new air vents, a boot lid spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and twin central exhaust pipes plus unique alloy wheels.

Range Rover Evoque five-door version

Land Rover has held a special dealer presentation for the five-door version of the Range Rover Evoque model. Just like the three-door incarnation of the vehicle, the five-door one comes with an engine range consisting of three diesel units (three versions of a 2.2 liter engine) and a petrol powerplant. The oil-burners offer 150 (two of the versions) and 190 hp. Range Rover offers both a four wheel drive and a front-wheel drive system.

It's the five-door version of the Rover Evoque which (according to reports elsewhere on 'tinternet), the company plans to reveal to an awestruck public at the Los Angeles motor show in November.
(The five door was apparently snapped 'illegitimately' during a private preview session for dealers.)
The model pictured here was shown to dealers ahead of the Paris show.
It will have shortened front doors and narrow-aperture rear doors and sales are likely to start in 2012.
Like the three-door model, two specs of 2.2-litre turbodiesel powerplants, with 148bhp and 187bhp, will form the bulk of sales. The front-drive 148bhp diesel will return 58mpg and less than 130g/km of CO2 when paired with a manual gearbox (adding two driven wheels will cost you 8mpg and more than 15g/km).
Other options include park assist, dual-zone climate control with a timer facility, a powered tailgate, adaptive headlights and a heated windscreen.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars derived from a project to create a hybrid eco-friendly vehicle. The Peugeot Epine Concept design study was developed to have a sportscar-like performance while creating a new way to get in touch with nature. Inspired by Formula One cars and motorcycles, Epine features a whale skeleton, as a tribute to Mother Nature.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

The concept car was created by Daniel Schumpert. Peugeot Epine was basically a project that was supposed to turn into an environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle, but eventually it turned into a “consumer’s racing car”.

This Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles ride relies on the Epine system, with an innovative seating arrangement and the drive-by-wire technology, as far as steering is concerned. The energy source of the vehicle is placed at the back, while the storage area is at the front of the car. The major technical feature of this car is the Epine system that allows a complete seating arrangement by adopting the drive-by-wire technology to run the steering system.

The rear-engined sportscar is minimalistic with an exposed frame, Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Hybrid Concept Cars uses the Michelin Tweel concept airless wheels, with a positive impact on the suspension system.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

Turns out that the wheel spokes are able to compress and decompress, thanks to the materials they’re made out of, allowing a wide variety of car motions. This futuristic Peugeot measures 4,260 mm (length), 1,882mm (width) and 1153mm (height).

2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Special Edition

2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Special Edition

2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Side View

2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Overhead Photo

Volvo Releases initials details for new plug-in hybrid due in 2012

　
Volvo is teaming up with Swedish energy utility Vattenfall to create a new plug-in hybrid. The automaker claims a new diesel/electric vehicle will emerge from the partnership and hit the market in 2012.

The two companies began working together over two years ago to explore the technology that makes plug-in vehicles a reality. In conducting research, the two companies agree that these autos are not only better for the environment, but have the potential to create many new jobs with the introduction of a supporting infrastructure.












Source:Volvo via World Car Fans


Press Release

Unique co-operation on environmental cars

Volvo Cars and Vattenfall to develop new plug-in hybrid

A Volvo that can be fuelled with electricity from a standard wall socket will be a reality in 2012. Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market. The ground-breaking technology will considerably lower the environmental impact from traffic. In addition, owning a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be convenient since you can fuel up at home and fuel costs are significantly lower.

In January 2007, the Volvo Car Corporation and Vattenfall launched a joint project with the aim of testing and developing plug-in technology. Now their cooperation is being taken to the next level.

"We are investing in an industrial joint venture to series-produce plug-in hybrid cars in Sweden in 2012, cars that can be powered by both electricity and diesel. This is an important business development for us and our partnership with Vattenfall allows us to take a giant step toward offering our customers cars with an even smaller environmental footprint," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.

Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation believe that series production of plug-in hybrid cars and the development of infrastructure can generate new jobs and help Sweden maintain its position at the cutting edge of advanced pro-environmental technology.

The car can be charged at home

One of the major benefits of plug-in hybrids is that they can be charged from a regular household wall socket.

"We want to reinforce electricity's importance in society and its key role in solving climate issues. Through this cooperation we hope to be able to speed up the introduction of electric cars. Together we are developing the next-generation technology based on plug-in cars and various charging alternatives," says Lars G Josefsson, President and CEO of Vattenfall.

The development of the cars is being carried out and financed jointly by the two companies. The Volvo Car Corporation will manufacture the cars and Vattenfall will develop charging systems and supply the cars with electricity.

Innovative environmental technology

Electricity is very well-suited as a power source for cars. An electric motor has a high efficiency rating and consumes roughly one-fifth the energy needed to power an engine that runs on fossil fuels. The purchase price of the plug-in hybrids will be higher than that of cars with conventional technology. Batteries are still expensive but with the car running on electricity, its fuel costs will be cut to roughly one-third compared with diesel power.

Vattenfall will offer customers the opportunity to sign an agreement for renewable electricity sourced specifically from windpower or hydropower, as an alternative to the regular mix of electricity sources. Lars G Josefsson sees many benefits from chargeable plug-in hybrids, even in cases where the electricity does not come from renewable energy sources.

"Through electric power, we avoid the emissions from each individual car. Instead of petrol or diesel, the energy is derived from a few large power sources and Vattenfall is working hard to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from all electricity production. In Sweden, virtually all Vattenfall's electricity production is emission-free," explains Lars G Josefsson.

The plug-in hybrid cars will be driven by a powerful electric motor fuelled by a lithium-ion battery. The battery takes about five hours to charge from a standard wall socket, and the battery is also charged every time the car's brakes are applied.

"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfils this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," says Stephen Odell.

Demonstration cars on show this summer

In the summer of 2009, three Volvo V70 demonstration cars will be presented. The demonstration cars will be used to gather information about the wishes and demands that drivers may have on the new technology, to determine their driving habits and to establish how they want to charge their cars. Vattenfall will, among other things, test various concepts for high-speed home charging and also for charging stations in public places, where owners pay to fuel with electricity instead of petrol or diesel. The cars that are planned to go into series production in 2012 will feature somewhat different technology, but the launch of the demonstration vehicles is a step towards series-producing plug-in hybrid cars specifically tailored to market needs.

Toyota's hybrid Supra successor on track for 2011

With all the rumors and anticipation surrounding Toyota's joint venture with Subaru to produce a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe, the automaker's Supra successor has been put on the news cycle's back-burner.


However, according to a report by Best Car, development has continued in earnest since the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car Concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 and a prototype will supposedly begin making the rounds later this year.


While details are still limited, several sources are suggesting the rear-wheel drive sports car will be offered with a 3.5-liter V6 and the Lexus GS450h's 2GR-VSE 3.5-liter V6 which will be paired with the Toyota's Crown hybrid system. While the current 3.5-liter V6 only produces 268 hp and 248 lb-ft or torque, the Crown's hybrid system could enable the Lexus' V6 to produce more than 400 hp.


If Best Car's report is to be believed, we could see the next iteration of the FT-HS concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this November, with the production model debuting sometime in 2010 before its on-sale date the following year.