Bugatti Stratos: Retrotastic Concept Study by Bruno Delussu

Designed by Bruno Delussu from France, the Bugatti Stratos is retro-futuristic concept study that draws inspiration chiefly from the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic which is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Bruno states that he also used some design cues from the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Mille Miglia for the styling of the front end. To be completely frank, the first car that leaped into our mind upon seeing the Strato's fascia was the BMW-powered Weismann MF4 Roadster.

The French graphic designer said that his goal with the Bugatti Stratos was to create a pure fantasy vehicle clearly focusing on the design aspect of the concept without taking into account the technical restrictions and the resulting styling limitations of a model intended for production.

[Source: Delussu , Via: Diseno]

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Grand Bentley: New Teaser Video of Arnage Replacement

Looking for a way to waste 40 seconds of your time? Well then be our guest - just don't say we didn't warn you. In another pointless teaser video on the forthcoming Arnage replacement - currently called the 'Grand Bentley', the British automaker tells us that they are "the opposite of mass production". You don't say... I suppose the next video will inform us that Bentleys roll on four wheels and that they cost more than you or I can ever afford. Seriously now, someone has to tell automakers that this is getting ridiculous.

[Via: Autoblog.it]

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2011 Suzuki Kizashi: Reader Spies Mazda6 Sedan Rival in Virginia

Peter Mcabe is the latest addition to our list of eagle-eyed Carscoop readers that have managed to bag a set of spy shots of a future model. The quick-witted reader spotted a camouflaged prototype of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi sedan parked behind the Olive Garden restaurant off of Midlothian Turnpike, in Richmond, Virginia. The Kizashi, which was wrongly reported dead by Japanese media earlier this year, is based on the Kizashi 3 concept car shown at the New York auto show in 2008.

Sadly, as we suspected upon seeing the official sketches of the Kizashi that were registered by Suzuki at the European trademark office in 2008, the mid-size sedan's appearance looks to be severely toned down compared to the head-turning concept.

The Kizashi 3 prototype had an all-new, 300HP 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 engine with power delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The road-going model will most likely be offered with a detuned version of the V6 as well as an inline four-cylinder engine producing somewhere north of 150 horsepower, the latter driving the front-wheels.

In North America, the Kizashi will compete against the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Mazda6 sedans. In accordance to the latest reports, the Kizashi will hit U.S. showrooms by the end of year, meaning that we'll probably see it making its global premiere at a major international motorshow this fall, perhaps at the Tokyo Salon in October.

Suzuki has yet to confirm when (and if) the Kizashi will reach European shores, but if it does, the Japanese automaker will have to enhance the sedan's lineup with smaller sized gasoline and diesel engines if it wants to rival family sedans like the Opel Insignia, Toyota Avensis and Citroen C5.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Obama signs Cash-for-Clunkers bill into law, countdown to start begins

President Obama has taken pen to paper and signed off on Cash-for-Clunkers, a law that could help the auto industry shake its year-long funk. The Transportation Department now has 30 days to determine the rules and regulations for Cash-for-Clunkers, placing the start of the program at the end of July.

The law as it was signed will give the power to decide which vehicles will be eligible for the program to the dealers. The dealers will also be in charge of scrapping the older vehicles, which must be less than 25 years old to be eligible for federal funds. Clunker-eligible cars must be also owned for at least one year to qualify for the program. Those eligible for Cash-for-Clunkers will receive up to $4,500 towards the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient vehicle. To get the full $4,500, those new cars must be at least 10 mpg more fuel efficient than the older model they replace, and trucks must be 5 mpg more efficient. Among the details of the law still being worked out is a plan to ensure that dealers are, in fact, scrapping the vehicles and not reselling them.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty]

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New GMC Terrain SUV to Hit the Road Priced from $24,995

The Chevy Equinox's spinoff, the "squary" looking 2010 GMC Terrain SUV will arrive at GM's showrooms in September priced from $24,995 for the front-wheel drive model and $26,745 for the all-wheel drive variant. Both prices include a $745 destination and freight charge. The base SLE1 model is powered by a 182HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a 6-speed automatic delivering an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon.

Standard features on the SLE1 include an integrated rear-view camera system and six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with USB connectivity and XM satellite radio service, along six airbags, StabiliTrak vehicle stability control, and OnStar.

The better equipped SLT2 trim level that features leather seating, a premium Pioneer sound system, a power liftgate, sunroof and a special chrome appearance package, starts at $29,995 (including DFC).

Aside from the 2.4L engine, the Terrain is also offered with a 3.0-liter direct injection V6 engine producing 265HP that returns an estimated 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city. The V6 model comes with additional standard equipment such as integrated navigation system and a rear-seat DVD infotainment system. Detailed pricing will be revealed closer to the launch date.

[Via: Carscoop]

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2010 BMW 7-Series: New 306HP Diesel for 740d, M-Sports Package and AWD Versions

It's '2010MY' time for BMW that has announced plenty of upgrades for its range-topping sedan model, following yesterday's reveal of the new 316d and 2010 1-Series Coupe and hatchback lineup. For the 7-Series, the new model year brings a new straight-six diesel engine with 306 horsepower on the 740d, a BluePerformance technology pack for the 730d, an M Sport package that's available for the entire range and the introduction of all-wheel drive variants for the first time on the 7er.

Beginning with the new 740d that will arrive at the firm's European showrooms this autumn, this model is equipped with a revised version of BMW's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine making 306 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and a peak torque of 600 Nm or 442 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. The previous version of the same engine that is found on the 335d and other models produces 286HP at 4,400 rpm and 580Nm or 428 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm.

The 740d accelerates from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.3 seconds and has a electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph. It consumes on average 6.9 lt/100 km in the EU test cycle (equal to 40.9mpg UK or 34mpg US).

For the 730d with its 245HP 3.0-liter straight-six diesel BMW is introducing the optional BluePerformance package that ads an NOx storage catalyst that reduces nitric oxides to the standard not coming into force until the introduction of EU6 in the year 2014. Furthermore, modifications on the engine and the drivetrain reduce the average fuel consumption of the 730d determined in the EU test cycle to 6.8lt/100km or 34.5mpg US.

Starting with the 2010MY, BMW's electronically controlled all-wheel drive xDrive system will be available for the first time on the 7-Series, initially on the 750i and 750iL that are both powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol developing 408 horsepower. BMW claims that the front-to-rear power split is 40:60 with up to 80 per cent of the drive power going to the rear axle in a bend.

Last but not least, the 2010MY 7-Series premieres the introduction of a new M Sport package available for all engine variants with both normal and extended wheelbase. On the outside, the 7-Series gains an aerodynamics package as well as additional chrome trim on the specially designed front and rear aprons, dark window surrounds and 19-inch or optionally 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design featuring different-sized tires front and rear. The electronically controlled BMW Dynamic Drive also comes standard in the M Sports Package for the 7 Series.

Inside, the M Sport pack adds sports seats with leather upholstery, an M leather steering wheel with multi-function buttons and an M footrest while buyers can opt for roof lining in anthracite and trim in fine-grain aluminum.

[Via: Carscoop]

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VW Reports Over 24,000 Pre-Orders for New Polo, Sales Start in Germany

Volkswagen's mini-me Golf, the all-new 2010 Polo supermini will officially go on sale in Germany on Friday, June 26, but the German firm is reporting that it has already received more than 24,000 pre-orders for its Fiesta-challenging hatchback. "The new Polo is the right car at the right time and provides an example for the automotive industry at a difficult time", said Christian Klingler, Sales and Marketing Manager at VW brand cars.

The 2010 Polo was revealed to the public for the first time at the Geneva Show in March. In Europe it is offered with a comprehensive engine lineup that includes a new 1.2-liter turbocharged TSI petrol making 105HP and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing up to 90HP. Prices in Germany start from €12,150 which is about $16,900 US at today's exchange rates.

[Source: Carscoop]

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2011 Honda CR-ZX: Production Version of the CR-X's Hybrid Replacement Rendered

The bad news for Honda fans is that the NSX's V10 successor has been canned while a replacement for the S2000 roadster that will end production this year is nowhere in sight (aside from magazine centerfolds, that is). The good news is that the CR-X will return, though in a somewhat different form tailored to meet the needs of today's 'eco-frenzy' world. In other words, the CR-X's successor will be a dedicated hybrid model - something in the likes of the Insight.

In its most recent issue, Japan's Best Car magazine features an artist's impression of the production version of the CR-Z concept car, which is mentioned as the CR-ZX. Not surpassingly, the cosmetic changes suggested are limited compared to the prototype model.

The report supports that the so-called CR-ZX will be powered by a tweaked version of the Insight's mild-hybrid drivetrain combining either a 1.3-liter or a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a more powerful electric motor. We remind you that the Insight is equipped with 1.3-liter gasoline four-pot and a 13HP electric motor generating a combined output of 98HP.

We must note that reports from this side of the Atlantic are suggesting that the CR-ZX will mate a more lively 1.8-liter engine to the electric motor. Could be that both sides are right as Honda may develop different versions for Japan and the US / Europe.

The magazine mentions that the CR-ZX will be making its production debut at this October's Tokyo motorshow with the first examples of the compact coupe arriving at domestic dealerships early next year. In a recent statement, Honda said that the CR-ZX will be available in most markets by the end of 2010.

[Via: Best Car]

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BMW 7-Series M Sport Model: First Official Photos

Unless someone had plenty of time to fool around with photoshop, these are the first official photos of the BMW 7-Series M Sport Edition. The Bavarian manufacturer has not released anything on the car yet, but we're willing to bet that what you see pictured here is not an M7 but rather a 7-Series with the M Sport package consisting of cosmetic exterior and interior tweaks, and quite possibly, a tuned suspension and uprated brakes plus a beefier set of tires.

Oddly enough, BMW's designers opted to decorate the M-Style bumpers with two large chunks of chrome on either side - what's with that? The 7-Series M Sport model also gets a dark chrome trim for the window surrounds and newly designed alloy wheels.

As with the M Sport packs offered on other BMWs, the 7-series' interior gains a set of sport seats up front along with a three-spoke M Sport steering wheel and polished aluminum decorative trim on the dashboard and the center console.

We'll get back on the 7-Series M Sport Edition as soon as BMW issues an official release.

[Via: 7post]

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New BMW 316d with 116HP and 62.8mpg UK Released for Europe

BMW is extending its 3-Series' lineup in Europe with a new entry-level diesel model that will go on sale in September alongside the 2010MY 1-Series Coupe and hatchback models. Dubbed by the Bavarian automaker as the most fuel efficient and cleanest 3 Series ever, the 316d is powered by a de-tuned version of BMW's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel producing a maximum output of 116 horsepower and peak torque of 260Nm or 192-lb/ft from 1,750rpm.

Power is transmitted to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox with BMW claiming that the 316d delivers a zero to 62mph (100km/h) time of 10.9 seconds while returning 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5lt/100km) on the combined cycle with a CO2 emission rating of 118g/km. According to the Bavarian firm, the 316d has an impressive theoretical range in excess of 800 miles or 1290 kilometers.

In the UK, the new 316d Saloon will arrive at dealerships in September priced at £23,330 OTR.

[Via: Carscoop]

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