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The Lamborghini Cabrera spotted for the first time ever Earlier, about a week ago, I told you that the Lamborghini Cabrera was likely to make its appearance at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, things are getting closer to reality. The supposedly long-awaited Gallardo replacement has finally been spotted for the first time ever and it has been attracting plenty of hype on the World Wide Web. The previously rumoured Lamborghini Cabrera Unlike what most people believed before, it seems that Italian automaker Lamborghini has changed its mind and that the Cabrera will no longer borrow styling cues from the Lamborghini Aventador. Judging from its front fascia from what I can see in the picture, the model is looks pretty similar to the current generation Lamborghini Gallardo. Yet, the bonnet feels rather long somehow, keeping in mind that the raging bull is supposed to carry a mid-mounted engine. It's also likely that the Cabrera will count on a 600bhp V10 engine mated to an AWD drivetrain and an automatic transmission. Oh, a RWD drivetrain may also show up later as a special edition, I believe. Sadly there isn't much else I can tell you for now since the super car isn't likely to be offered for sale for another two years anyway, so we still have plenty of time to find out more, don't we?
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Big stars from world of motorsports to attend Goodwood Festival of Speed
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Festival of Speed remains unique in its ability to attract the majority of the current season's Formula 1 teams and drivers, with seven current F1 teams confirmed for Goodwood including Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes, Marussia and Caterham. Current F1 drivers and leading characters in action at the Festival will include previous World Champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, on top of Nico Rosberg, Roman Grosjean, Max Chilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Adrian Newey among others. Past Grand Prix masters present at this summer's Festival of Speed will include Alain Prost (above), Nelson Piquet, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Nick Heidfeld among others. In total, 17 Grand Prix winners will be in action, with a total of 232 GP wins between them! One of the great Festival of Speed's moments will be relived at this year's event when Nick Heidfeld is reunited with the very McLaren MP4/13 that he so famously launched up the Goodwood Hill in a record time of 41.6 seconds back in 1999. From the world of rallying, IRC Champion, Andreas Mikkelsen(above) will be spitting gravel in the 2013 VW Polo WRC, as will Spanish double World Champion Carlos Sainz, whilst Mikko Hirvonen's Citroen DS3 WRC will also be in full flight on the Goodwood Forest Rally Stage. A host of other star drivers and riders, plus cars and motorcycles from each of the world's major motor sport disciplines, past and present, will also be featured at Goodwood, including champions from Formula 1, Indycar, the World Rally Championship, Superbikes, NASCAR, World Sports Cars and Touring Cars, plus Land Speed Record holders. Goodwood is recapturing many of the outstanding Festival of Speed moments from the 1993-2012 era, including over 350 great machines from all of the world, as far flung as New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Japan and the USA, all making a very rare return to the U.K. The 20th anniversary of the Festival will see many famous man and machine pairings reunited, including three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet returning to the cockpit of his celebrated Brabham BT52, in which he secured the 1983 crown. -
There's no doubt that Swedish automaker Koenigsegg knows how to make some of the world's fastest production cars that ever exists. The company even makes sure that the twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine of its production cars will run on E85 fuel. However, unfortunately, some places in this world just aren't quite ready for such fuel yet, just like in Singapore. So, keeping that in mind, it seems that despite the total power output of 927bhp offered by the Agera or 1,124bhp offered by the Agera R, neither of the models is really quite of our interest here in Singapore. That's not to mention the highly demanding price tag of the super car. However, realising that, Koenigsegg has finally produced the Agera S. Unlike its elder brothers, the Koenigsegg Agera S doesn't need ethanol to be mixed into its fuel. It'll run just fine with the fuel we already have here. In addition to that, this fine super car is quite powerful as well, offering the power of up to 1,040 horses. With all the advantages that it has, the Koenigsegg Agera S comes with a demanding price tag of around USD$4.2 million (approximately S$5.3 million). Yet, despite the price tag, the fourth example in the world has already met its new owner, who is a Singaporean. Yes, Koenigsegg recently introduced the Agera S here, at a special reception which was attended even by the founder of Koenigsegg Automotive AB himself, Mr. Christian von Koenigsegg. The reception took place at the Hotel Ritz Carlton Millenia on 14th June 2013. As it was private, the reception was only open to 200 VIPs and guests. The lucky person to have the fastest production car on our shores happened to be Ms. Angela Tan, wife of Mr. Denis Chua, an investor. According to Mr. Chua, he and his wife bought the car after having test-driven it personally in Sweden. Hand-crafted by Swedish skilled artisans with enhanced aerodynamics in mind, the Swedish luxury super car can go from 0-100km/h within a mere 2.9 seconds. In addition to that, the car will stop climbing speed only after it has reached a speed of at least 400km/h. How does that sound? The Koenigsegg Agera S super car was introduced to us here by the Motorway Group of Companies. This is a rental car company that also serves as a pre-owned luxury car specialist. If you are wondering, the car is available in both right and left-hand drive. Photo credits: Nicholas TJR
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Lexus will return to Salon Prive later in September this year to showcase its industry-leading range of full hybrid models. It will have a special focus on the F Sport versions of its cars, which combine sportier styling and performance with the peerless luxury, craftsmanship and advanced technologies that are associated to the Lexus brand. Among the line up will be the IS 300h F Sport, representing Lexus's all new sports saloon. Adopting Lexus Hybrid Drive technology for the first time, the new IS presents the latest interpretation of Lexus's L-finesse design philosophy. The effect is even more pronounced in the F Sport, with a stronger rendering of the spindle grille design and styling cues inside and out that take reference from the Lexus LFA supercar. As it delivers increased driving pleasure, the IS 300h achieves CO2 emissions from 99g/km and an official combined cycle fuel economy of 27.9km/L at the same time . It will be joined by the new GS 450h F Sport, representing the fourth generation of Lexus's luxury sports saloon. The GS's hybrid system combines a 288bhp V6 petrol engine with a compact but powerful electric motor. The GS 450h F Sport can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in less than six seconds and progress to a 249km/h top speed despite emitting a modest 141g/km of CO2. The Lexus RX - the original luxury SUV - has been consistently refined and developed over the years to the current RX 450h. It will be present at Salon Prive in F Sport trim too, demonstrating how Lexus has successfully interpreted its sporting theme across its full model range. Common with all current Lexus hybrids, the RX allows the driver to select different drive modes to prioritise fuel and emissions efficiency or performance, according to personal preference or driving conditions, including an EV mode for all-electric running with zero tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. The LS 600h Premier is the flagship of the Lexus range, a limousine rich in advanced technologies and luxury features. The innovations include the world-first Lexus Climate Concierge, which maintains an ideal cabin environment by monitoring the individual facial temperature of each occupant to determine appropriate co-ordination of the ventilation, heating, heated seats and heated steering wheel. With handcrafted finishes, a supremely smooth V8 hybrid powertrain and a cabin designed for optimum comfort, the LS 600h fulfills Lexus' mission to deliver a world-class limousine.
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The Nissan Micra (known as the March in Singapore) has undergone a nip and tuck procedure for 2013. The most prominent update is done on the front fascia, which receives a revised headlamp, bumper, plus a grille inspired by the Juke SUV. It certainly looks more rugged now than before. The taillight combination is revised as well. The top-of-the range model gets 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, park assist and a 5.8-inch infotainment screen among other goodies. USB and MP3 player connectivity is standard across all variants. Under the hood, the 2013 Micra uses the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with 79bhp. However, a more power 1.2-litre DIG-S with 97bhp is available too. This is the same engine found in the Note. The more powerful motor actually produces less CO2 than its lesser brethren (95g/km vs 115g/km). Transmission options include a standard five-speed manual or CVT automatic. Class competitors for the new Nissan Micra include the Mitsubishi Mirage, Ford Fiesta and Honda Jazz.
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Bespoke automaker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the opening of its new showroom in the famous city of St. Petersburg in Russia. The new showroom will help serve increasing demand for Phantom and Ghost models and will provide the most discerning clientele in the region, with direct access to the pinnacle super luxury brand. The dealership is located at the Astoria Hotel in one of the European cultural capitals, and will be under the fine care of Tatiana Fitzgerald - who is also the Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Moscow. The unique Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalisation service will also be available from the new showroom, underlining the further growing popularity of this service among owners in Russia. Nearly all Phantom family models and three out of every four Ghosts contain some element of individuality. Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, was presented at the grand opening in St. Petersburg, for the first time by the shores of the Baltic Sea. The ultimate Gran Turismo combines super luxury and refinement with power, style and drama. The bold, charismatic lines of Wraith are a brave step forward for Rolls-Royce and the car has received overwhelming feedback since its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2013. Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, "St. Petersburg, with its timeless beauty and elegance, forms the ideal backdrop to stage Rolls-Royce motor cars in this outstanding showroom. Our presence here marks an important milestone in the sustained development of Rolls-Royce in Russia." He added, "I am particularly pleased to see that a team with a proven track record in the world of super luxury will take care of the customers in and around St. Petersburg. Tatiana and her team have a wealth of experience and will add great momentum to the sphere of luxury in the Leningrad region." Tatiana Fitzgerald commented, "Rolls-Royce has a very rich history in St. Petersburg and is where the first Rolls-Royce touched Russian ground more than 100 years ago. We are really excited to write the next chapter of the Rolls-Royce story in Russia." Last year, Rolls-Royce celebrated a third consecutive record year as 3,575 cars were delivered to customers across the world, marking the highest annual sales in the 109-year history of the brand - with Russia continuing to be the best selling market in Continental Europe. 19 of the 107 dealerships in the world are located in Europe, including the new St. Petersburg showroom.
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In 2011, Audi presented the Quattro Concept, the final production version of which has yet to come. But now, it seems that the German automaker is finally ready to take the wraps off the final production version when the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro celebrates its 30th anniversary. Rumour has it that the final version will look sportier as well as sharper than the Quattro Concept. It's also said that the final version of the car will carry a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine. Capable of producing a total power output of 650bhp, the car will seemingly take only 3.4 seconds to go from 0-100km/h. The Quattro Concept, however, had to count on a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine with a total power output of 408bhp. In addition to a powerful V8 engine, the successor to the Audi Sport Quattro will also feature a sports tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, a sports Quattro rear differential, and carbon-ceramic brakes. To keep things light, Audi will be using such components as aluminium, magnesium, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). In total, the car won't weigh over 1,300kg. If you are keen on seeing the car with your very own eyes, you may want to anticipate the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show as the German automaker is likely to show it there. And, if all the rumoured specifications turn out to be true in the end, expect to see a price tag of around
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2013 Opel Insignia facelift revealed ahead of world premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Opel has removed the wraps off the 2013 Insignia facelift. The revised German mid-sized sedan will be making its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Exterior updates include revised headlamps, front and rear bumpers, taillight combination and front grille. On the inside, the center console is now less cluttered with buttons, which Opel claims improved intuitive operation of common functions such as air conditioning and infotainment. The instrument cluster also has a new set of dials. A new flat-bottomed steering wheel completes the interior update. For the petrol power trains, the 2013 Insignia gets a choice of 1.6-litre SIDI engine with 170bhp or a 2.0-litre version with 250bhp. The 2.0 SIDI engine produces 30bhp more than the existing 2.0-litre turbocharged unit. Diesel options include a 2.0-litre CDTI with either 120bhp/320Nm or 140bhp/370Nm. A 2.0-litre BiTurbo CDTI with 195bhp and 400Nm of torque is also available. Depending on the engine choice, the Insignia is offered with a choice of six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. -
Production version of Peugeot RCZ R to debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Brawn and brains will finally meet at the Goodwood Festival of Speed when Peugeot reveals the production version of the RCZ R coupe. The event will be held in England from 11th to 14th July. The RCZ R is previewed by the RCZ R concept (above) which debuted at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Powered by a 260bhp 1.6-litre THP engine, the RCZ R takes the honour of being the most powerful production model in the French brand's history. This puts the car among the most powerful production cars based on a power-per-litre basis, surpassing even the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Despite of its raw power, the engine produces CO2 at a rate of 155g/km which is lower than a 1.6-litre Corolla Altis. The RCZ R will benefit from a sport-tuned suspension, lightweight alloy wheels and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Before we get to see the production version of the RCZ R, here's the concept version for your viewing pleasure. -
Although it was actually first rumoured back in March 2012, there has yet to be any more information regarding the supposedly successor to the Lamborghini Gallardo. To make matters worse, the Italian automaker only unveiled a Gallardo facelift last year when most car enthusiasts were actually expecting the next generation Gallardo. So, it was kind of like a prank from the raging bull. However, it seems that the long wait is about to be over. Pictures have emerged on the internet showing what is believed to be the Lamborghini Cabrera. Judging from the images, I believe they reveal the real deal. Looking at the images of the car, it reminds me of one of the latest models Lamborghini recently introduced to the public. Yes, the Cabrera borrows a lot of styling cues from the Aventador, from its front to the rear fascias. Rumour has it that the Lamborghini Cabrera will count on a V10 engine and that its four wheels will receive a total power output of 600bhp from the car's automatic transmission in addition to a dual clutch system. The latter is a new addition as the raging bull used to employ the single clutch E-Gear system. So, it seems like the long wait for the next generation Lamborghini Gallardo supercar is about to come to an end. What do you think?
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Ford reveals power output of 1.5-litre Ecoboost in the new Fusion
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Ford launched the 2014 Mondeo (Fusion) at the Shanghai Motor Show in April with a brand new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine. The 1.5-litre engine benefits from the signature EcoBoost turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. Now, Ford has officially announced the output of the new power plant. It produces 178bhp with an accompanying 240Nm of torque available between 1500rpm to 4500rpm. Fuel consumption figures are not available at the moment. Power is similar to the existing 1.6-litre EcoBoost but torque figure is 9Nm lower. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost in the six-speed automatic Fusion will be replaced by the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost. However, the six-speed manual version will still continue to use the existing 1.6-litre engine. But in time to come, it is likely that the 1.6-litre will be phased out eventually as it does not make sense to produce two engines that are so similar in specifications concurrently. The new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine will be built at Ford's plant in Craiova, Romania. -
It seems that the Chinese really have a taste for pink cars. Previously, there were already quite a few cars spotted in the pinky wrap. Yet, it seems that the Chinese haven't had enough of pink cars already. Recently, another car coloured in pink was spotted again in the country where pandas come from. This time, it's the Cadillac CTS trying the colour. Well, you see, I myself would rather the car stay in its original colour than pink. The reason is quite straightforward. Somehow, the Cadillac CTS is quite a masculine car. So, can you imagine what kind of man would love to get behind the wheel of such a pink coloured Cadillac? Or, is it possible that the Chinese believe that pink is a lucky colour somehow? Well, fortunately, the car isn't entirely wrapped in pink. It still has some masculinity left intact, thanks to the black wrap extending from its engine hood to the roof and the trunk, in addition to the side mirrors. However, I really wonder whether the owner of the Cadillac CTS in question is a man or a woman. And, if the owner is a man, I wonder what kind of a man he is.
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Production ready Vencer Sarthe to be unveiled in Salon Prive
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] If there is space for anything in this world, it is the addition of another Sportscar maker. New Dutch start up Vencer are about to enter the world of tailor made sports cars with their first model -
2013 Skoda Octavia vRS unveiled ahead of Goodwood Festival of Speed
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Skoda has officially unveiled the top-of-the-range vRS version of the all new Octavia, which is planned for a public debut on 10th July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed held in England. The 2013 Octavia vRS will be available in both sedan and combi body styles. Engine options include the 220bhp 2.0-litre TSI gasoline engine and the 184bhp 2.0-litre TDI. Skoda offers a six-speed DSG transmission as an option for both engines. For the standard six-speed manual version, the petrol vRS does the century sprint in 6.8 seconds while the TDI needs 8.1 seconds. The 2013 Skoda Octavia vRS lineup comes with a sports suspension and sits nearer to the ground. Other goodies include an electronic XDS differential, start/stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration. There is a choice of four alloy rims with sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Behind the rims are red brake calipers. The new vRS has a blackened grille, revised front and rear bumpers, chromed dual exhaust pipes, rear spoiler and bi-xenon head lights. On the inside, the sports sedan comes with a leather-stitched sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, sport seats and a redesigned instrument panel. -
After much anticipation, the 11th generation of the US Corolla has been unveiled. The Corolla is previewed by the Furia concept presented at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show. Judging from history, the next Corolla Altis that we will be getting will be styled very closely to the US version. Measuring 4,650mm by 1,776mm by 1,455mm (L x W x H), the new Corolla is 99mm longer, 16mm wider and 10mm lower than its predecessor. The larger dimensions also translate to more interior space as rear seat room improved by 75mm. Speaking of the car's interior, the dashboard layout is similar to the Auris hatchback, which in turn reminds me of the Toyota Taxis in the 80s due to the 'upright' design. For the US market, two 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines are available - one producing 132bhp (Dual VVT-i) while the other churns out 140bhp (Valvematic). Various gearboxes are available depending on trim level. They include a six-speed manual, CVTi-S (continuously variable transmission intelligent-shift) and a dinosaur-age four-speed automatic. For Singapore, my hunch is that the current Altis' 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i, four-speed automatic combination will be carried over unchanged to the new Altis. Just look at what happened to the newly-introduced Vios. Within hours after the US-market Corolla is launched, Toyota released photos of the European version of the new model. It sports a different head lights, grille and tail lights. Overall, the US version looks sportier while its European counterpart projects a more luxurious outlook. 2014 European Corolla
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With a USD$1.14 million (S$1.42 million) price tag to it, the McLaren P1 is definitely not just another car. Yes, it's a super car built by British automaker, McLaren Automotive, which has very good credibility, thanks to its reliable production cars. However, it seems that nobody really is perfect, not even the guys behind the U.K.-based car manufacturer. You see, during the recent Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza event held in Italy, the super expensive Italian car happened to show its weakness, just when it was least expected. Honestly, it would have been a lot better had the case be just some malfunctioning minor features. However, it was quite an embarrassment for McLaren that its P1 failed to start completely that day. Furthermore, things have become even more embarrassing for the Brits because it seems that there's no such thing as keeping the embarrassment local nowadays. Thanks to the Internet and the massive number of people carrying cameras along with them wherever they go today, the mishap can now be watched over the internet! The McLaren representatives in charge that day had to tow the car onto a trailer in the end, after having failed to start it no matter what they tried to do. The representatives have yet to figure out why the McLaren P1 wouldn't start at all. The only thing noticeable was a couple of error messages displayed on the dashboard screen. One of the error messages read 'Park Brake Fault - Call McLaren Service Centre' and the other one read 'ESC Fault Vehicle Limphome - Go to McLaren Service Centre'. Essentially, they both suggested that the car be towed to a McLaren service centre, just like what the McLaren reps did eventually. These error messages somehow lead me to wonder if there's nothing the owner can do without bringing the super car to the service centre in the case that something goes wrong. Well, I believe that McLaren would have preferred such a thing to take place somewhere more 'private', such as at its plant, rather than at a place filled with multi-millionaires. In other words, those people at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza event are undoubtedly capable of purchasing one example or more of the Italian super car. What a shame and a bad thing it is to happen, at a wrong place and at the wrong time!
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Recently, we've been getting some teaser images from the Japanese automaker Toyota for its upcoming 2013 model year Corolla in New Zealand. Well, for those of you asking yourselves how much longer you are supposed to wait to see the whole thing, worry no more as your wait is about to be over. Toyota has released quite a few commercials unveiling the latest generation of its Corolla lineups. However, if you happen to keep a pet cat, you may want to consider putting your cat away from the car. You'll definitely find out the reason as soon as you have watched the accompanying videos. In these videos, there's this Persian pet cat which just can't seem to get enough of the comfort that the all new 2013 Toyota Corolla (NZ) is capable of offering. As a result, it keeps wanting more and more to be inside the car over and over again. Funny thing is, the cat is really willing to do whatever it takes just in order to be taken by its owner to the vet in the car it just seems to love so much. Oh, how cute
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Final preparations underway by Rolls-Royce to re-enact the 1913 Alpine Trial
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Later this month, 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, and journey through cities like Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning on 29th June in a bid to faithfully re-enact the 1913 Alpine Trial. With the date drawing closer, final preparations are underway with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' Authorised Dealer in Essex, P&A Wood, playing an essential role in ensuring cars are in perfect condition. Eight of the 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts participating in the rally, many over a century old, have been meticulously prepared by the dealership -
[extract] The last time we saw the Maserati Ghibli was at the floor of the Shanghai Motor Show. The new entry model for the Trident brand looked great under the special lighting conditions. However, a car
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BMW's Intelligent Headlamps, now keeping more people safer
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Do you often drive when nighttime falls? Well, my father, for one, quite so often does just that. And, if you do so, too, chances are you often find yourselves kind of blinded by the illumination of cars which are coming from the opposite lane. That's not to mention that there's a great number of cars that utilise Xenon bulbs these days, blinding you even more. However, the frequency of you getting blinded by oncoming traffic is about to decrease, thanks to the so-called 'Intelligent Headlamps' feature. This is an illumination technology that comes from highly reputable German automaker BMW. To be honest, this technology isn't entirely new as it was first introduced back in July last year. Back then, it was introduced exclusively for the BMW 7 Series. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't standard even on the really expensive models from BMW. Instead, customers who desired to have the feature available on their BMW 7 Series would have to purchase the optional Adaptive LED Headlamps package. Nevertheless, probably realising how its technology may actually decrease traffic accidents significantly, ultimately leading to saving a whole lot more people, the luxury German car manufacturer is now offering the technology on the company's new 3 Series Saloon and Touring lineups as well. You'll only have to make sure that the models do have a Visibility package available on them. So, what this feature does is it detects the situations of the road and traffic ahead and then adjusts the lighting that comes from the headlamps of BMW cars accordingly. This way, it prevents the lighting from blinding drivers from the oncoming lane. Not only will it prevent drivers on the oncoming lane from being blinded, it won't emit much glare to the driver ahead of you, either. With that being said, nighttime driving will surely become safer, by a significant degree. Simply put, the technology provides optimal illumination. To make things even better, this technology is useful not only during nighttime but also when the weather isn't very friendly. In order to work its charm, this feature has to work side-by-side with BMW's 'High-beam Assistant' technology. However, my words and words alone may not really give you any ideas on what on Earth I'm talking about. Therefore, I think you may want to check out the accompanying videos. That's even more so in case you happen to be planning to purchase a BMW yourself. BMW's Intelligent Headlamps with High-beam Assistant Real life demonstration -
Caterham to unveil cheaper, entry level track car based on the Seven
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Caterham will release a new, more affordable and entry level version of the iconic Seven that pays tribute to the philosophy that inspired its creation. The Caterham 7 is a super lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the U.K. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory built form by Lotus from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. After Lotus ended production of the Seven, in 1972, Caterham bought the rights to the design, and today makes both kits and fully assembled cars. Now Caterham is all set to unveil a new car based on the iconic 7 but with an accessible price tag at under -
Edmunds.com pits the new Lexus IS250 against the BMW 328i and Cadillac ATS 2.0
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Edmunds.com, an American online resource for automotive information, pitted the fresh-from-the oven 2013 Lexus IS250 against the Cadillac ATS 2.0 and the compact luxury segment leader, the BMW 328i. The IS250 is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre V6 which is good for 204bhp. The 328i and ATS are both propelled by their respective 2.0-litre direct-injected, turbocharged four cylinder which produces 240bhp and 272bhp respectively. This is the third generation of the Lexus IS. However, will it be third time lucky against the BMW 3 Series? -
Caterham aims to defend speed title at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
After taking the honours last year, Caterham aims to defend its lap record at the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power to occur from the 14th till 16th June with its SP/300.R. This year, four British sportscar manufacturers will go head-to-head, with four distinct vehicles in an attempt to better last years timing of 61.89 seconds at the narrow circuit. Caterham's sports prototype racer will compete against exotic supercars and specialist track-day vehicles to defend its title. Caterham Drive Experience instructor, Scott Mansell, will once again take the wheel of the SP/300.R for this event. The racer will join supercars, classic and modern race cars, as well as specialist track-focussed machines, with the latter expected to do battle for the lap record. Caterham Cars' CEO, Graham Macdonald, said, "Last year's contest was extremely close and we expect it to be even tighter this year, given that there are four British manufacturers attending, each with exactly the same aim." The SP/300.R is powered by a 2.0-litre Supercharged Ford engine, producing 300bhp via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Flat out, it is capable of topping 289km/h and will reach 100km/h in 2.6 seconds. The sports prototype vehicle has attracted strong demand among the premium trackday community with sales across the U.K., North America and France. Visit http://www.caterham.co.uk for more information about the SP/300.R and Caterham -
Tesla Model S to greet Chinese and their whole bunch of children
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Everyone knows that global warming is quite a severe problem these days. It suffocates the beloved planet we're living on. And, while there may not be a real significant thing we can do to help overcome global warming, maybe we can at least give some small contributions for a start. How about driving an electric vehicle? It makes pretty good sense to me. Now, when it comes to electric vehicles, there's a whole lot of options you can choose from. However, I would recommend that you consider the Tesla Model S in particular. This is one of only two models the American automaker Tesla Motors has in store and yet, it rocks in all the ways it knows best. To begin with, you'll find yourself stunned by its acceleration. In addition to that, there's nothing like its built-in 17" infotainment system that will please you like you never expected before. The good news is that Tesla Motors is reportedly preparing its Model S for the Chinese market. The car is likely to make its debut in the bamboo origin country in September this year when the Chengdu Auto Show opens its doors to the public. It's also said that the company will make sure it possesses and manages all its Chinese dealers, first of which is likely to be based in Beijing. The entrance of this American electric car to the Chinese market, I think, may as well mark the start of the company's penetration into other Asian markets. Oh, that said, I can't wait to see when the Model S will land on our shores here in Singapore. It seems that Tesla Motors is just getting stronger and stronger. Recently, this particular car manufacturer successfully managed to pay back the US government loan it once borrowed from the country's Department of Energy in full. Oh, by the way, did I mention just how spacious the Tesla Model S is? Believe it or not, it may as well accommodate a whole bunch of children, well, as long as they're all kindergarteners. According to Tesla Motors, its Model S is capable of carrying around six to seven kindergarteners. However, a recent test may prove that irrelevant. Thing is, the Tesla Model S electric car will not complain at all even if you push up to 16 kindergarteners into it, as shown in the video below. Well, minivans, you guys better get set to face a new competitor! Oh yeah, the car looks pretty sleek and attractive, too. And, to top it off, it features an all-glass panoramic roof. This is no ordinary sunroof, it opens wider than the panoramic roof of most, if not all, other sedans. To open its roof, simply swipe your finger on the 17-inch touch screen of the Tesla Model S and let the car work its charm. Taking advantage of glass material for its entire panoramic roof, a Tesla Model S can block up to 81 percent of heat and 98 percent of light. Also, just for your information, besides the Model S, Tesla also offers Model X, which somehow looks a little like a crossover to me. -
Chevrolet Malibu receives a facelift within one year of launch
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Like the ninth generation Honda Civic, the Chevrolet Malibu mid-sized sedan has received a facelift barely a year after its launch during the second half of 2012. This would generally indicate that the new model is not well received by the public. "The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu builds on the strengths established by the all new 2013 Malibu to make it a stronger choice for customers," said Mark Reuss, President, General Motors North America. "The midsize sedan segment is the most contested in the industry and we