Archive for September, 2007



September 30, 2007

This Week at eGMCarTech

Filed under: Industry News

Missed something from this week? Here are a couple of important highlights from the week of 9-24-2007 to 9-29-2007. As always, check out the Archives Page for full coverage.




This Week in Photos: 9-24-2007 - 9-29-2007

Filed under: Week in Photos
This Week in Photos: 9-24-2007 - 9-29-2007

Miss any photo galleries from this week? Don’t worry, we always compile a list of photo galleries we’ve posted throughout the week. Check out the pictures of the new 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, 2009 Honda Fit and spy shots of the Ferrari Dino, Mercedes SL AMG Black Series and Audi A1.

Click through for a full week’s worth of galleries. Check out the Week in Photos Category for more.

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September 29, 2007

Officially Official: 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible (with video)

Filed under: 2008 Releases, BMW, Videos
Officially Official: 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible (with video)

We’re sure you’ve been seeing photo leaks of the BMW 1-Series all over the internet this afternoon, but we always like to keep it official. So here it is; BMW has officially announced that the BMW 1-Series Convertible will join the 1-Series coupe going on sale in the spring of 2008.

The BMW 1-Series convertible will come in the same variants as the coupe. The 128 will be powered by a 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 230 horsepower. The 135i will be powered by BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower. BMW says that it will do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, which is still at debate.

BMW says that the electro-hydraulically-operated softtop can be raised within 22 seconds. Pricing will be announced closer to sale date with the BMW 1-Series Coupe.

Click through for the video and image gallery.

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Mazdaspeed2 in the works? Redesigned RX-8 coming to Tokyo

Filed under: Mazda
Mazda: Mazdaspeed2 in the works? Redesigned RX-8 coming to Tokyo

According the folks over at WhatCar, Mazda engineers are saying that Mazda is studying the possibility of a Mazdaspeed variant for the mini Mazda 2.

According to the engineers, Mazda would use a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that produces about 230 horsepower and 231 lb-ft of torque. It hasn’t even been officially confirmed whether the U.S. will be getting the Mazda2 and Mazda seems to be giving the other markets a faster version of it. Life isn’t fair.

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Suzuki at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: PIXY + SSC, X-HEAD and Kizashi 2

Filed under: Suzuki
Suzuki at 2007 Tokoyo Motor Show: PIXY + SSC, X-HEAD and Kizashi 2

Since we didn’t give you enough stuff to drool over this Thursday, we decided why not provide you with some auto news on Saturday. So here it goes. Suzuki will be unveiling 3 concepts at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show including the Suzuki PIXY + SSC, X-HEAD and the Kizashi 2.

Suzuki X-HEAD: According to Suzuki’s Japanese press release, this HUMMER rival looking concept will appeal to a variety of lifestyles. Suzuki says the X-HEAD is for the off-roader, the camper, the life saver and the fashion freaks, although we think you would looked pretty stupid rolling around in this thing thinking you’re cool.

PIXY + SSC: This two part concept consists of the PIXY, which is a low-speed single-person ride and a part of Suzuki’s ‘SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY.’ The SSC is a low-speed “portable tool” for the PIXY. Yes, the two little PIXY’s fit inside this big SSC which works as a docking station.

Suzuki Kizashi 2: A sequel to the Suzuki Kizashi shown at Frankfurt earlier this month, the Suzuki Kizashi 2 embodies a more off-roading style with a smaller grille. Power comes from a 3.6 liter V6 unit and according to the press release, a hybrid version will also be available.

Okay we did our best to translate this Japanese press release. Click through for some images.

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September 28, 2007

Funny Friday: Volkswagen Golf TDI ‘Toy’ commercial

Filed under: Volkswagen
Funny Friday: Volkswagen Golf TDI 'Toy' commercial

In a continuous effort to differentiate ourselves from other auto blogs, we keep thinking of new ways to keep you locked in and keep you coming back for more. So today we’re introducing a new category called ‘Friday Funny’. Friday Funny will consist of funny things that happen throughout the auto world. For instance, funny commercials or another story on Hyundai hoping to take on Lexus, Mercedes or BMW.

So today we bring you our first ever Friday Funny. Here is a commercial by Volkswagen that depicts the power of a Golf TDI.

Click through to watch the video. Oh and let us know what you think of this new category in the comments section below.

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Spy Shots: Mystery Supercar - is it a Lotus Esprit, McLaren or Noble?

Filed under: 2007 Releases
Spy Shots: Mystery Supercar

Our friends over at CarMagazine have spotted a mystery supercar at a UK facility. While Car’s first inclination was a Lotus Esprit, all inquiries so far say it isn’t.

What we know so far is that the prototype in the pictures is mid-engined and is powered by a 7.0 liter V8 engine producing up to 512 horsepower with 470 lb-ft of torque.

Other speculations say that this is McLarens upcoming baby supercar since it has similar proportions. Some say that this may also be the new Noble since an upgraded M15 is long overdue.

What’s your take? Have your say in the comment section below.

Spy Shots: Mystery Supercar Gallery:

Spy Shots: Mystery Supercar  Spy Shots: Mystery Supercar  

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BMW to build X1 in Europe, will outsource Mini SUV

Filed under: BMW, MINI

BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, yesterday confirmed the production of a compact X1 SUV and a Mini SUV. Instead of building the X1 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where the X5 is made and where the X6 will be made, BMW will be moving production to its European plant.

Reithofer also said that it will be outsourcing production of its Mini SUV to a third party. Previously reported, Magna International was in talks with BMW for developing the Mini SUV.

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Video: AutoCar awards Audi R8 Best Handling Car of 2007

Filed under: Audi, Videos
Video: AutoCar awards Audi R8 Best Handling Car of 2007

The folks over at AutoCar have awarded the Audi R8 the Best Handling Car of 2007. Watch as Chris takes the car around Bedford Autodrome and explains why. He even says that the R8 was causing the Porsche GT3 RS all sorts of probelms on the track.

The Audi R8 is powered by a 4.2 liter FSI V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower. Both can do 0-62 mph in just over 4.5 seconds.

Click through for the video.

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Rolls-Royce releases official details on the Phantom Coupe

Filed under: Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce 101 EX Concept

Yesterday, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer outlined BMW’s plan for the future up until 2020. Besides exciting new plans for the BMW brand, Reithofer confirmed plans for a Phantom coupe.

Following Reithofer’s announcement yesterday, Rolls-Royce today announced that the Phantom coupe will be launched in 2008 with production scheduled to begin next summer. The car, which will be hand-built at the company’s Goodwood, England plant, will complete the Phantom lineup and will be cheaper and smaller than the Phantom.

The two-door, four seat coupe will be powered by a 6.75 liter V12 engine that produces 453 horsepower and 720 Nm of torque. We expect the car to show up at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2008.

Rolls-Royce 101 EX Concept Gallery:

Rolls-Royce 101 EX Concept  Rolls-Royce 101 EX Concept  

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Lexus IS-F hybrid and a plug-in model on the way?

According to Lexus General Manager Jim Farley, Lexus is in the process of studying to high-performance hybrids hoping to appeal to a market that wants something fast while being green.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Farley said that Lexus “may build such gasoline-electric models to reach enthusiast groups outside its core market.”

Farley said Lexus is just waiting to see how consumers react to GM’s plug-in Volt and the Tesla hybrid sports car that promises an all-electric range of 245 miles.

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Video: New Audi S5 Promotional Video

Filed under: Audi, Videos
Video: Audi S5 Promotional Video

Check out this new Audi S5 Promotional Video. The Audi S5 is powered by a V8 FSI engine that produces 354 horsepower giving it the ability to go from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds.

Click through for the video.

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2nd Dodge Challenger rolled off assembly line and on to eBay

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge
2nd Dodge Challenger rolled off assembly line and on to eBay

Remember last week we told you about Dodge auctioning the first few 2008 Dodge Challengers that roll off the Brampton, Ontario assembly line? Well the second 2008 Dodge Challenger has now showed up on eBay in auction where all proceeds will go to United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

The vehicles chosen to be auctioned is an SRT models with HEMI(R) Orange exterior, hood stripes, a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission with Autostick.

The opening bid was $25k but as we right this the highest bid is $85,100 with a total of 46 bids. The auction ends October 3rd, 2007.

2008 Dodge Challenger Concept Gallery:

2008 Dodge Challenger Concept  2008 Dodge Challenger Concept  2008 Dodge Challenger Concept  

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