2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC Review

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2008 CLC-Class, the Euro-market successor to the now-defunct C-Class Sports Coupe. Well, we should clarify that. It's not completely defunct in that its architecture has been carried over for the new car, meaning the CLC does not share underpinnings with the new-gen C-Class. Still, Mercedes boasts that the car features 1,100 "newly-developed or enhanced" components, including the direct steering system introduced on the freshened SLK. The changes are intended to give the car a different feel than its predecessor.

At first glance, it's clear that Mercedes is trying to leave the past behind, looks-wise. Sure, the coupe profile is carried over, but the sharp-looking face of the new C-Class finds its way onto the CLC's front end. Out back, fresh taillamps also keep up the family resemblance to the new C. An updated interior greets occupants, with available features like DVD or hard drive-based nav, iPod integration, and an in-dash SD card slot. The entertainment, communications and nav systems can all be operated by voice command, too.

Buyers can choose from four engines -- 2 gas and 2 diesel, all with improved fuel economy -- matched with six-speed manual gearboxes as standard equipment. Drivers who opt for automatics get a 5-speed unit for 4-cylinder engines or MB's 7-speed auto for the 6-cylinders. An available sports package dresses things up with enhancements like 18" wheels and also adds paddle shifters to the steering wheel for cars with automatic transmissions. The Brazilian-built CLC goes on sale in Europe this May. No plans have been mentioned regarding a possible US-market return, and given that the last-gen didn't sell particularly well here, that is completely unsurprising. The Mercedes press release is pasted after the jump.

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLC Review

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2008 CLC-Class, the Euro-market successor to the now-defunct C-Class Sports Coupe. Well, we should clarify that. It's not completely defunct in that its architecture has been carried over for the new car, meaning the CLC does not share underpinnings with the new-gen C-Class. Still, Mercedes boasts that the car features 1,100 "newly-developed or enhanced" components, including the direct steering system introduced on the freshened SLK. The changes are intended to give the car a different feel than its predecessor.

At first glance, it's clear that Mercedes is trying to leave the past behind, looks-wise. Sure, the coupe profile is carried over, but the sharp-looking face of the new C-Class finds its way onto the CLC's front end. Out back, fresh taillamps also keep up the family resemblance to the new C. An updated interior greets occupants, with available features like DVD or hard drive-based nav, iPod integration, and an in-dash SD card slot. The entertainment, communications and nav systems can all be operated by voice command, too.

Buyers can choose from four engines -- 2 gas and 2 diesel, all with improved fuel economy -- matched with six-speed manual gearboxes as standard equipment. Drivers who opt for automatics get a 5-speed unit for 4-cylinder engines or MB's 7-speed auto for the 6-cylinders. An available sports package dresses things up with enhancements like 18" wheels and also adds paddle shifters to the steering wheel for cars with automatic transmissions. The Brazilian-built CLC goes on sale in Europe this May. No plans have been mentioned regarding a possible US-market return, and given that the last-gen didn't sell particularly well here, that is completely unsurprising. The Mercedes press release is pasted after the jump.

Rumormill: Nissan to unveil updated 370Z next October

Speculation is circulating around the automotive media that Nissan is preparing a revised version of the Z-car. According to reports, the 350Z will turn into the 370Z when Nissan updates the sportscar with the 3.7-liter V6 in its recently-revised sibling, the Infiniti G37 coupe. Whether the Japanese automaker will use this opportunity to facelift the model altogether as anticipated remains to be seen.

The reports suggest that the 370Z will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, home turf to Nissan's sister-company Renault, this coming October. That's still months away, so stay tuned for more information.

Rumormill: Nissan to unveil updated 370Z next October

Speculation is circulating around the automotive media that Nissan is preparing a revised version of the Z-car. According to reports, the 350Z will turn into the 370Z when Nissan updates the sportscar with the 3.7-liter V6 in its recently-revised sibling, the Infiniti G37 coupe. Whether the Japanese automaker will use this opportunity to facelift the model altogether as anticipated remains to be seen.

The reports suggest that the 370Z will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, home turf to Nissan's sister-company Renault, this coming October. That's still months away, so stay tuned for more information.

BMW M3: Two clutches, seven gears, eight cylinders and 54,000

The wind in your hair and an eight-cylinder soundtrack: does life get any better? BMW M3
The new BMW M3 Convertible goes on sale in April, with a retractable hard top, priced at £54,655, almost £4,000 more than the coupé.

The car will be the first model to feature the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox. Gearchanges can be made via steering-wheel paddles or the gearlever.

BMW says the DCT improves Combined average fuel consumption by 1.1mpg and CO2emissions by 16g/km, to 293g/km. The DCT gearbox is an extra £2,590.

BMW M3: Two clutches, seven gears, eight cylinders and 54,000

The wind in your hair and an eight-cylinder soundtrack: does life get any better? BMW M3
The new BMW M3 Convertible goes on sale in April, with a retractable hard top, priced at £54,655, almost £4,000 more than the coupé.

The car will be the first model to feature the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox. Gearchanges can be made via steering-wheel paddles or the gearlever.

BMW says the DCT improves Combined average fuel consumption by 1.1mpg and CO2emissions by 16g/km, to 293g/km. The DCT gearbox is an extra £2,590.

2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: European Honda Accord Tourer Teaser Images

According to some some sources, Honda will unveil a new version of Accord this year at the Geneva Auto Show. Some teaser images of the European Accord Tourer Concept, the station-wagon model of the Accord Tourer, are circulating the web these days which show some design ideas of the Japanese company.

Although we didn’t see the “final product”, from these teaser images we can make a good image of how to car is going to look. The new headlights and the chromed door-handles seem to be the best features for this latest concept. The Tourer concept will pe powered by the new 2.2-liter four-cylinder iDTEC diesen engine, first presented this year at the Detroit Auto Show.

Also, it’s said that Honda will unveil the Acura TSX destined for the U.S. market.

2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: European Honda Accord Tourer Teaser Images

According to some some sources, Honda will unveil a new version of Accord this year at the Geneva Auto Show. Some teaser images of the European Accord Tourer Concept, the station-wagon model of the Accord Tourer, are circulating the web these days which show some design ideas of the Japanese company.

Although we didn’t see the “final product”, from these teaser images we can make a good image of how to car is going to look. The new headlights and the chromed door-handles seem to be the best features for this latest concept. The Tourer concept will pe powered by the new 2.2-liter four-cylinder iDTEC diesen engine, first presented this year at the Detroit Auto Show.

Also, it’s said that Honda will unveil the Acura TSX destined for the U.S. market.

2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Three-Door Mazda2

Mazda made an official announcement about the new Mazda2 which will be unveiled at 2008 Geneva Auto Show in March. The new model is a three-door version which has the same dimensions like the five-door version, also the Japanese company said that there will be available the same engine line-up.

According to Mazda, this hatchback mode will attract more customers from Europe. They said that the car weighs about 1,000 kg and apparently the engines have high fuel efficiency and low carbon-dioxide emissions.

In December 2007, Mazda2 was rated 5-stars by Euro-NCAP at their safety tests, also it received an impressive 20 automotive awards.

For Geneva ‘08, Mazda prepared other three cars, it’s the Taiki Concept, Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the Mazda RX-8 four-seater-four-doors sports car.

2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Three-Door Mazda2

Mazda made an official announcement about the new Mazda2 which will be unveiled at 2008 Geneva Auto Show in March. The new model is a three-door version which has the same dimensions like the five-door version, also the Japanese company said that there will be available the same engine line-up.

According to Mazda, this hatchback mode will attract more customers from Europe. They said that the car weighs about 1,000 kg and apparently the engines have high fuel efficiency and low carbon-dioxide emissions.

In December 2007, Mazda2 was rated 5-stars by Euro-NCAP at their safety tests, also it received an impressive 20 automotive awards.

For Geneva ‘08, Mazda prepared other three cars, it’s the Taiki Concept, Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the Mazda RX-8 four-seater-four-doors sports car.

Spyker C8 Laviolette Ready For The 2008 Geneva Auto Show

Spyker is an exclusive automaker which was founded in 2000 by Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn. The purpose of this reborn company is to produce super sports cars like C8 and C8 Laviolette. For the Geneva Auto Show which will take place this in year in March, they are planning to unveil a new version of C8 Laviolette.

The previous model was based on Audi’s A8 4.0-liter engine which was delivering 400 HP and had a top speed around 300 km/h. The new version will be called C8 Laviolette LWD and it will feature a glass-roof-line. We expect them to maintain the power-train and we also heard that the wheelbase will be longer.

We will have to wait to see what they prepared for the forthcoming auto show.

Spyker C8 Laviolette Ready For The 2008 Geneva Auto Show

Spyker is an exclusive automaker which was founded in 2000 by Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn. The purpose of this reborn company is to produce super sports cars like C8 and C8 Laviolette. For the Geneva Auto Show which will take place this in year in March, they are planning to unveil a new version of C8 Laviolette.

The previous model was based on Audi’s A8 4.0-liter engine which was delivering 400 HP and had a top speed around 300 km/h. The new version will be called C8 Laviolette LWD and it will feature a glass-roof-line. We expect them to maintain the power-train and we also heard that the wheelbase will be longer.

We will have to wait to see what they prepared for the forthcoming auto show.

Extreme Tuning of BMW 645i Modified Convertible

Two designers of the Alpine USA team remodeled a BMW 6 Convertible and they named it Dark Sinister Six. For the engine they have chosen a 4.8-liter V8 which produces 367 HP and it accelerates the car from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds. They worked very hard on designing both the exterior and the interior.

As you can see their work on restyling this car was not in vain.The 5-spoke black-colored rims were designed by the hot-rod manufacturer Boyd Coddington and have a width of 10-inches to 13-inches. The rims are dressed with Falken ZiEX S/TZ tires and the 360mm vented brake discs were produced by Brembo.

It’s a very interesting concept from the guys at Alpine and they managed to draw and built a very cool and attractive car. We hope that they will come and give shape to many other cars.

Extreme Tuning of BMW 645i Modified Convertible

Two designers of the Alpine USA team remodeled a BMW 6 Convertible and they named it Dark Sinister Six. For the engine they have chosen a 4.8-liter V8 which produces 367 HP and it accelerates the car from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds. They worked very hard on designing both the exterior and the interior.

As you can see their work on restyling this car was not in vain.The 5-spoke black-colored rims were designed by the hot-rod manufacturer Boyd Coddington and have a width of 10-inches to 13-inches. The rims are dressed with Falken ZiEX S/TZ tires and the 360mm vented brake discs were produced by Brembo.

It’s a very interesting concept from the guys at Alpine and they managed to draw and built a very cool and attractive car. We hope that they will come and give shape to many other cars.

Spotted the new Aston Martin DBS

KGP’s paparazzi spotted the new Aston Martin DBS in Sweden. Although we were surprised to see that they tested this car near the Arctic Circle, we were more surprised to see that it’s the Volante version. This convertible concept looks even more aggressive and this new soft-top model looks good on Bond’s car. Looks like nobody can escape from spy shooters even if they test their prototypes everywhere over the globe, but we would do without them? Keep up the good work fellows.

Spotted the new Aston Martin DBS

KGP’s paparazzi spotted the new Aston Martin DBS in Sweden. Although we were surprised to see that they tested this car near the Arctic Circle, we were more surprised to see that it’s the Volante version. This convertible concept looks even more aggressive and this new soft-top model looks good on Bond’s car. Looks like nobody can escape from spy shooters even if they test their prototypes everywhere over the globe, but we would do without them? Keep up the good work fellows.

2008 Tokyo Auto Salon Booth Babes

After we presented some cars of the Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s time to show you other beauties that have drawn everybody’s attention. This year they continued the tradition and “exposed” among the super-cars some of the local models. We hope you will enjoy this photos as much as we did. Enjoy and behave!

2008 Tokyo Auto Salon Booth Babes

After we presented some cars of the Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s time to show you other beauties that have drawn everybody’s attention. This year they continued the tradition and “exposed” among the super-cars some of the local models. We hope you will enjoy this photos as much as we did. Enjoy and behave!