Opel may have just released initial details on its sixth-generation Astra only a couple of days ago, but General Motors' European division is trying to keep the momentum going by publishing a new set of desktop wallpapers of its Ford Focus challenging hatchback. We'll be hearing more about the Astra shortly as according to Carscoop sources, Opel is planning to introduce the car to the members of the press in mid-June., ahead of the scheduled world debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show.
As many anticipated, MINI's celebrations for the brand's 50 anniversary at Silverstone in the UK on 22 – 24 May 2009 will include the unveiling of a special edition model. For the event, MINI has created a modern interpretation of George Harisson's 1966 Cooper S painted with psychedelic images such as yantras and Sanskrit mantras. The one-off model will be handed over to Olivia Harrison who will accept the MINI on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation that was set up by The Beatle's lead guitarist in 1973. The car will be auctioned later in the year."George was a huge MINI fan and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that MINI's anniversary celebrations will also benefit our Foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration," said Olivia Harrison.
Ferrari is showing its support to the residents of the Italian region of Abruzzi that was struck by a devastating quake on the 6th of April by auctioning a one-off F430 with all proceeds going towards the Abruzzo Earthquake Fund. The special edition model that will be the very last F430 to roll off the production line towards the end of the year, will feature special two-tone livery recalling the traditional colors of Aquila, the city most hit, and will come with a certificate signed by Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo and a personalized dedication plate to commemorate the donation.The one-off F430 will be auctioned by 'RM Auction' due to be held this coming Sunday, March 17, 2009. According to Ferrari, the winning bidder will be invited to Maranello to choose the final specifications while the Italian firm has also offered to equip the car with a number of options from its extensive Carrozzeria Scaglietti catalogue.
After the release of the full blown photos and preliminary specifications on its brand new 2010 Astra, Opel has now published the first official video of its Focus challenger. The five-door hatchback will make its inaugural appearance in front of the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with European sales following shortly after. For more detailed info and photos of the new Astra, click here.
With the UK Government's scrappage scheme well underway, Peugeot thought it would be a good time to get more buyers interested in its Mitsubishi Outlander-based 4007 by introducing a new special edition version of the compact SUV. Based on the entry-level 4007 SE with the 156 horsepower-strong 2.2-liter diesel engine, the Sport XS comes with a special black leather upholstery, a full exterior Sport styling kit and 18-inch alloy wheels.The Sports styling kit includes chrome side bars, wing mirror covers, door handles and a twin tail pipe extension. Body colored front lower and rear roof spoilers complete the exterior goodies.
The on-the-road price for the 4007 Sport XS is £24,695, or £1,450 up from the base SE and £1,150 below the range-topping GT model.
Volkswagen Group owned Skoda has published a new video of its first-ever dedicated proposal in the compact crossover segment, the Yeti, filmed during the final-preproduction tests that took place in the area around Oslo, Norway. The vehicles tested in Oslo were a 1.8 TSI petrol and a 2.0 TDI diesel, both 4x4 models.The very first series-production Yeti, a four-wheel drive model fitted with a 1.8 TSI engine, rolled off Skoda's assembly line at the Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic on Tuesday 12 May 2009. Sales of Skoda's RAV4 rivaling crossover are set to start across Europe this summer.
Ah yes, the MG TF roadster, still fun to drive but let's face it, no makeup can cover its mid-1990s roots. Still, the British firm's Chinese owner is trying to make the best of it by announcing the launch of two new variants of the mid-engined roadster. First up is the new entry-level TF 135 that will go on sale in the UK this spring with an OTR of £13,511 (approx $20k or €15k) or about £2,500 lower than the TF LE500. Later in the summer, the TF 135 will be joined by a special edition model produced to mark the 85th Anniversary of the brand, the MG TF 85th Anniversary. MG has yet to disclose photos of the anniversary model, but the firm said that it will be available in three special colors overlaid with "striking graphics" (whatever that means), new alloy wheels, specific trim options in the interior and a revised suspension setup with Bilstein shocks, Eibach anti roll system, lower ride height, an all new anti torsion pack and a modified wheel set up.
Prices for the MG TF 85th Anniversary will start at £15,664 on the road or £13,664 with the UK Government's scrappage scheme deduction.
Updating our previous post on the all-new 2010 Opel Astra, we now have a photo album of the UK market iteration of the subcompact hatch adorned or rather photoshoped, with Vauxhall's coat of arms (yes, same images but in higher resolution) along with official statements from GM Europe's execs. The new Astra will debut in Frankfurt this September and appear in showrooms across Europe by the end of the year. It will be offered with four petrol engines, a naturally aspirated 1.4 with 100HP, a 1.4 turbo in 120 and 140HP guises and a 1.6 Turbo with 180HP plus four diesel units ranging from 95 to 160HP.
"The only part of the Astra which isn't new is its name," said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "And that name currently accounts for around 30 per cent of all Vauxhall's car sales, with the five-door hatch taking 60 per cent of those sales alone – so it's important to lead with this body style."
"Not only is the Astra a crucial new model for Vauxhall, but we're confident that its blend of dynamic design, new-to-class technology and immense driver appeal will attract an even broader spectrum of buyers in this sector," Gilson added.
As one would expect, Mark Adams, Vice President of GM Europe Design concentrated his comments on the new Astra's styling. "We're continuing with the same premium design cues as the Insignia, inside and out of the car," said Adams. "However, the main design themes, like the wing-shaped light signatures and the blade, needed an individual execution to avoid 'cloning' the model ranges. This is why, for instance, you see twin wings in the rear lights and a reversed blade on its flanks."
For more details on the new Astra, click here to read our initial post.
When it comes to exotic supercars like the Aston Martin One-77, there's no such thing as a sufficient number of photos. The more the better. Hit the jump to browse through our updated gallery that consists of high-resolution photos (1600px) shot during the 700HP+ British supercar's unveiling at the Concorso d'Eleganza in Italy. To read the full story on the One-77 click here. 
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
