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Forbes did some digging through the Consumer Reports, Department of Transportation, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), and created their list of the top 20 safest cars of 2007. So if you’re going to end up in accident some how, just hope you’re driving one of these cars.
While the new 2008 Cadillac CTS is set to hit dealerships later this summer, its evil twin, the 2009 CTS-V, is undergoing some hardcore testing. Sources say that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will get an LSA engine which is a new V8 supercharged block that produces 500 horsepower.
Known by its code name “GMX322 V S/C,” the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will begun production in late 2008 with prices expected to be around the $55,000 range. The 500 horsepower should allow the Cadillac CTS-V to compete strongly with rival BMW M5 which currently gets 500 horsepower as well.
Back in March, SSC’s Ultimate Aero failed to top Bugatti’s top speed record of 253 mph for the fastest road-legal production car. SSC closed down a 12 mile stretch on Nevada’s Highway 93 to run the tests. With only two attempts made due to weather conditions, the Ultimate Aero was able to reach a top speed of 230 mph.
Now, Junus Khan, SCC’s marketing director, is claiming that the Ultimate Aero has successfully completed additional testing sessions reaching a top speed of 241.4 mph on May 22. SCC is still trying to get the results documented with data acquisition firm Deweton.
The last time we talked about the Iosis X Concept based 4×4 it was caught doing off-road testing. Well, now the car has finally broken cover and will be available in the UK early next year. The car takes styling cues from the Iosis X Concept and the S-MAX MPV.
The range topping Ford X-MAX will have a 2.5 liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 222 horsepower. There will also be a 1.8 liter and 2.0 liter TDCi diesel variants as well.
Supposedly disappointed by the sales of the McLaren SLR, Mercedes is looking to develop a supercar without the help of McLaren. The Stuttgart based company will now team up with HWA AG, its official DTM race car developer, to produce a new supercar and a line of other high-end performance models.
Even though the new Mercedes supercar will be made by HWA AG, it will be badged under the AMG label to make it street legal and more appealing. The car is expected to be powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engine co-developed with the AMG division.
In a recent road rage survey conducted by AutoVantage Miami, Florida won the Least Courteous City title for the second year in a row. Congratulations to all of the Miami drivers who flip out over someone cutting them off and taking 2 seconds away from their time.
Click through for the list of the Top 5 Least Courteous Cities and the Top 5 Most Courteous.
The BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS and Infiniti G35 war has been one interesting battle. Well now the BMW 3-Series should watch out as Lexus goes diesel with the Lexus IS 220d. The Lexus IS 220d is powered by 2.2 liter direct-injection diesel engine that allows a combined fuel economy of 44.8 mpg. The Lexus IS 220d produces 177 horsepower with a 0-60 mph time of 8.9 seconds and top speed of 135 mpg.
Click through for the Fifth Gear review of the Lexus IS 220d.
According to a Japanese newspaper, Toyota is going to delay the use of lithium-ion batteries in the next generation of the Toyota Prius due to safety concerns.
While lithium-ion batteries will offer many positive advantages, Toyota is not confident about replacing them with the nickel-metal battery pack used in current Toyota Prius. The company has been pretty cautious due to recent recall rates and questionable quality issues.
According to AutoCar, the 2008 BMW M3 will get a seven-speed double clutch gearbox, providing fast and hardly noticable shifts. Called the M DCT, the new gearbox will be available starting March 2008 in the UK.
The double clutch transmission is expected to improve the 2008 BMW M3’s 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds by a few tenths of a second. It will be controlled by shift knob that will be similar to the joystick style you find in the BMW M5 and M6, as well as steering wheel paddle shifting.
Following media reports today, Ford spokesman denied that it is in talks with BMW or any other company about selling Volvo. Earlier today a report surfaced for the second time this month that BMW is seriously looking into buying Volvo.
“Ford Motor Company is not in discussions with BMW or any other company regarding an interest in the Volvo Car Corporation,” the statement released on Tuesday said.
Seems like one tiny paragraph in an article by Automotive News made big news in the auto blogsphere today. Worried about Bertone’s future, Carrozzeria Betrone, chairman and CEO, appointed her youngest daughter, Barbara, as managing director.
However, no one really cares who is taking executive positions at Bertone. The only paragraph we all drooled over was that “the coachbuilder has told workers it hopes to save 300 jobs by producing about 300 to 400 units of a camper van based on an Iveco light commercial vehicle and a BMW-powered sports car for the US.”
If you’re looking to test drive the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or the Saturn Aura, you’ll be able to do it all under one roof. GM is asking its Saturn dealerships to carry at least one Honda Accord or Toyota Camry for customers to test drive in order to compare the cars to the Saturn Aura.
GM is so confident that the Saturn Aura is better than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, that they’ll let you drive all three in order to make your decision. Of course the Saturn dealerships won’t be selling the Accord and Camry, but we have to give it up to GM for having the guts to offer the convenience.
Model Eva Padberg will become the new face for Mercedes-Benz and will represent the premium car brand at future international fashion and lifestyle events. Eva will make her debut as the ambassador for Mercedes-Benz during Fashion Week Berlin which will begin in July.
“The Mercedes-Benz brand has always been known for its innovative approach, its timeless and emotional design and its unique allure. Which is why Eva Padberg is the ideal fashion ambassador for our brand,” said Dr Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars.
Click through for images and the press release.
Copyright 2008 eGMCarTech. All rights reserved.
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