Buick To Upgrade Powertrain For 2011 LaCrosse

July 26, 2010
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General Motors announces a few changes for the 2011Buick LaCrosse. The changes are limited the LaCrosse’s engine, with the 2011 models to offer one less engine option.

The 2010 LaCrosse will be available with three engines—a base 2.4L four-cylinder, a mid-level 3.0L V6 and a range-topping 3.6L V6. However, for the 2011 model year the mid-level 3.0L V6 will be phased out, leaving just the base four and the high-feature 3.6L.

According to Buick’s product marketing director Craig Bierley, “As Buick continues its transformation, new products like the 2.4L-powered LaCrosse CX are helping us reach all-new customers.” He further iterated that, “It gives them a fuel-efficient option that’s simply not available with…

BMW New Engine Family; Includes Company’s First Three-Cylinder

July 26, 2010
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After confirming that a new front-wheel drive model is under development for the BMW brand, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer now validates that the company is also readying its first-even three-cylinder engine.

According to a recent interview, Reithofer revealed BMW is working on a new family of engines, with three-, four- and six-cylinder variants planned. The planned engine family, which will include gas and diesel units, is mainly being designed for BMW’s upcoming front-wheel drive offerings. However, some may be seen in rear-wheel drive BMW models.

Under the plan, BMW will have the capacity to produce 1.5 million units of its new engine family annually. That’s quite a figure for BMW; especially considering…

Cadillac Revamps “Art and Science” Slogan

July 26, 2010
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Cadillac is returning to their early 2000s tag line, “art and science”, for their latest advertising campaign.

The “art and science” theme has been introduced by the luxury brand in the early 2000s with vehicles like the CTS and original SRX. And with the marketing campaign that actually paid off quite well with luxury buyers, Cadillac is prompted to dust off the old slogan.

GM marketing head Susan Docherty said that the new campaign “will highlight what we talked about over a decade ago with the Cadillac renaissance and really push the envelope of art and science.”

The new campaign will be the first under Cadillac’s new advertising agency, New York-based Bartle Bogle…

B&B Takes VW Scirocco R up to 362 PS / 357 bhp

July 26, 2010
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Tuning company B&B decided to give the standard Volkswagen Scirocco R three levels of tuning up. The current Scirocco R runs has 195 kW (261 bhp / 265 PS) and it already pulls in 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). And with the skillful hands of the engineers over at B&B, those figures get a bump

At Level 1, the ECU and the electronic injection get optimized. With this, power and torque increased to 228 kW (306 bhp / 310 PS) and 410 Nm at 1,900 rpm respectively. A Vmax of 275 km/h (171 mph) is recorded.

Level 2 ups this little further by revising the exhaust downpipe, maximizing air induction, air flows, ignition…

2010 Porsche Cayman and Boxster Gets New Design Packages

July 26, 2010
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Porsche will be offering four new packages for the Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman. The packages—namely Comfort, Design, Infotainment, and Sport Design—are available on the base and S trim levels of both models.

The Comfort kit includes leather seats, bi-xenon cornering headlights, climate control, cruise control, dimming mirrors, rain sensors. The Infotainment set add those with Porsche Communication Management system with MP3 player input, and an upgraded sound system with Bluetooth.

For the Design package, 19-inch blacked-out wheels taken from the Boxster Spyder with matching black tailpipes, and a black interior and exterior trim are included. Rollbars in the Boxster are also painted black. Lastly, the Design Sport features an aerokit that…

Bugatti 16C Galibier Saloon Lined Up For 2013 Production

July 26, 2010
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Reports say that Bugatti will start the production of the 16C Galibier concept hyper sedan in 2013. But with the auto industry not yet fully on its feet, the most exclusive brand in the VW Group, has not yet taken priority at high-level discussions.

Despite that fact, the 16C Galibier has received a lot of positive reaction at select motor shows and customer events. And with that, it could just be a matter of time before authorization papers for its manufacture are signed and full production goes underway.

The four-door über-luxury 16C Galibier will have a limited production run of only 300 units, and each is expected to be around $1.3 million…

Ferrari California With Manual Transmission

July 11, 2010
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Recent reports said that the Ferrari California will be offered with two different transmissions. Now, an alleged leaked document states that the company will offer a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the standard seven-speed dual wet clutch semi-automatic.

With the manual transmission, performance may indeed be reduced, but it may satisfy a 10% demand by customers for a stick shift. And with the six-speed manual, the car accelerates from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour in 4.2 seconds, at least 0.3 seconds slower than the DCT provides. Additionally, fuel consumption is increased with the manual gear box. The DCT provides a 17.9 mpg-US (13.1 liters/100km) rating, 11% better than…

Mazda Commemorates 90th Year With Special Edition Axela

July 11, 2010
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Some may know that Mazda has only been producing cars for fifty years now. But the company’s storied history of producing everything from machines to weapons to three-wheeled runabouts goes back an additional 40 years. And to celebrate the historic occasion of Mazda’s 90th anniversary, the company will offer a special edition Axela hatchback in Japan—also known as the Mazda3 in most of the automaker’s markets.

The 90th Anniversary Special Edition Axela is based on the Japanese market Axela Sport 1.5 S Style. It adds a bodykit with side spoilers, LED rear tail lamps and tinted rear windows. With the optional 16-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps, an LCD multi-information display in…

BMW To Debut Alpina B7 xDrive

July 11, 2010
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In an attempt to revive the Alpina name in the North American market, BMW has announced that it will debut an all-wheel-drive version of the luxury-oriented tuning firm’s B7 at next week’s New York International Auto Show.

Alpina operates separately from BMW, but the German automaker views the tuner as a natural, more exclusive, luxury performance-oriented complement to its internal M Division. Alpina debuted the rear-wheel-drive B7 last year and now it says that the B7 xDrive will be coming to dealers.

The Alpina B7 xDrive will be available in both regular and long-wheelbase configurations, just like its rear-wheel-driving sibling. All Alpina B7s are powered by a modified version of BMW’s twin-turbo…

VW Rumored To Launch Next-Gen Beetle In 2011

July 11, 2010
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The next-generation Volkswagen Beetle is reportedly to make an appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Shoe in November. Although these reports have not yet been confirmed, many are anxious to see if the car will truly get a refreshed look and offer more inspired engine options. And if a hybrid version of the vehicle will be developed as well.

Speaking of engine options, a 2.0-liter engine producing 210 bhp (213 PS, 157 kW) could be seen on the car, more powerful than any engine currently sold on the vehicle. Also expected are 1.4-liter 160 bhp (162 PS, 119 kW) and 1.2-liter 105 bhp (106 PS, 78 kW) petrol engines. Diesel engines,…

Chrysler Green-Lights Pentastar V6 Production

July 11, 2010
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Chrysler now officially announces its newest V6 engine, the Pentastar. This new engine is set to replace seven existing V6 engines of the automaker. The launch is celebrated at the Trenton, Michigan South Engine Plant, one of the locations where the engine will be produced.

The all-new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 is the company’s most advanced engine in its history with its flex-fuel capable, utilizes direct-injection and Fiat-sourced Multiair technology. The Pentastar will also be used in combination with turbocharging for added output, allowing for the replacement of larger displacement engines that are less fuel-efficient.

Besides having a newer, more powerful and more efficient V6 offering, Chrysler will also be having significant savings…

2010 BMW Z4 GT3 Official Details Out

July 9, 2010
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New information about BMW’s Z4 GT3 has been officially released.

The new GT3, which is designed for private racing teams, features aggressive styling and advanced engineering. It also has a 1,200 kilogram (2,645 pound) curb weight due in part to the components constructed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the front and rear wings, bonnet, roof and fenders.

The Z4 GT3 is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 that comes with more than 480 PS (353 kW / 473 bhp). The ECU408 engine management system backs up the engine which is mated to a six-speed sequential transmission with a “Quick Shift” function.

The vehicle also features a racing anti-lock braking system, a new…

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