Here at Carscoop, we have a green heart for eco-friendly cars. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered that the annual AltWheels Festival was being held right in our back yard, The interactive and informative event was set up behind
I had an hour to kill in between classes so I headed on over to partake in the festivities and grab some photos. It’s sponsored by various car manufacturers such as
Posted by Daniella
Since we learned last night that NBC has decided to revive Knight Rider (click here) with a new TV series next fall, we've been raking our brain to try and find the best candidate to surrogate Knight’s 1980’s Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am. Heck, we even stayed up last night playing around with photoshop just to see what KITT would look like if he were a Chevy Camaro –mmm, maybe, a Cadillac Cien –we liked this one, an Audi R8 –that sucked, even an Impreza WRX STi –that’ll piss off many Texans. Which one of today’s production cars/concepts do you think would be the ideal choice for KITT’s role? And oh, if you know your way around with Photoshop, don’t hesitate to e-mail us a pic! Have your say in the comments below. -Chops after the jump
Pics: Carscoop
Apart from the weird looking X-Head, Suzuki will also introduce a follow up to the striking Kizashi Concept Sedan (click here) previewed at the Frankfurt Show in September at next month’s Tokyo Show. The Kizashi 2 is basically a crossover version of the original concept that takes advantage of AWD system. Differences include the higher ground-clearance and the body cladding which to be frank, doesn’t do justice to the Kizashi. Moreover, instead of using the frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine like the original concept, Suzuki equipped the crossover with a 3.6-liter V6-engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. -Image gallery and press release after the jumpSuzuki Kizashi 2 Concept
The stirring impression the top athlete having and, it adopted the expectation which becomes unknown overflows from inside as design expression the crossover sport wagon. You propose to the user of the wide layer where with the wide field such as the leisure from business, life is enjoyed actively. As for design two keywords, “dignity” and the “stirring impression” adopting the emotional silhouette which raises the satisfaction which uplift impression is owned to running for the axis. As for the 3.6LV type 6 cylinder engine of the sea bass maximum aerodynamic volume displacement not only strong acceleration feeling with the combination with 6 speeds AT, and at high speed regarding cruising, actualizing the running which exceeds class. In addition, you are inserting also the hybrid engine and the like which considers in environment in range of vision.
Just last week, Tokuichi Uranishi, a Toyota executive vice president, told German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, that Lexus is interested in developing a compact hatch. “We can foresee a competitor to the BMW 1-Series” said Uranishi. This year, Lexus expects to sell around 55,000 units in Europe but its targeting annual sales of 150,000 units by 2015 and the addition of a lower priced (than the IS) entry-model would definitely help Lexus achieve that goal. We’re not sure if this rendering of the so-called BS series that we discovered in the net has anything to do with reality, but we can tell you that if Lexus goes ahead and introduces the compact hatch, it'll most likely be based on the IS platform and mechanics (front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout). -Continued after the jump
Of course, since the hatch will be aimed towards the European market, we should expect 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engine variants added to the range. In addition, a hybrid version shouldn’t be out of the question, as Toyota Europe needs to sell more frugal and low-emission cars to deal the EU’s stricter rules.
Damn; you wait for the weekend to take some time off blogging and Saturday day kicks off with the reveal of GM’s full product portfolio through 2013 (click here) and continues with the official images of the 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible! Needless to say it’s a dam(n) leak… We don’t have any information for the time being besides the fact that the 1-Series Cabriolet will be offered with at least two 6-cylinder engines, a 215 Hp 3.0-litre (125i) and the 306 Hp 3.0-liter bi-turbo (135i). According to our information, the 1-Series Coupe based soft-top will be available from early next year. We’ll get back on this story (there goes Saturday night…) as soon as we retrieve more info. -Follow the jump for the full image gallery
Via: Autoblog.nl (& The Internet...)
We’re quite fine thank you, meaning we haven’t mixed our socks with our underwear -yet... The Tokyo Show isn’t only about cars; it also hosts motorcycle and commercial vehicle premiers. Suzuki on its behalf will show off two motorcycle concepts, the Crosscage and the Biplane. We found a Japanese teaser press release on both concepts but it didn’t make much sense so we can only tell you that the Crosscage uses fuel-cells while the Biplane, which incorporates a V4 engine, draws its inspiration from airplanes. -Continued after the jump Translated Press Release
It is the fuel cell car which can do optimum power control by combining the air cooled fuel cell system and the advanced accumulator of simple small size light weight. Starting which fuel economy efficiency is fast low, the intelligent energy corporation of feature (
The request that was included, you feel the enjoyment of the motorcycle in many people, would like to have having interest in the motorcycle " “the design proposition model which designates the joy of running by the motorcycle” as shape” is. You propose in order to have representing the common feeling which is felt from the vehicle where “, it designates the kind of image which is riding the airplane” as keyword, calls the motorcycle and the airplane and is different completely. Although it is the machine, the bosom which makes tenderness feel it forced and “the biplane” (bi- the plainness) designated modelling as design motif, it expressed the open impression of not being covered in the canopy. The engine has designed V type 4-cylinder engine in vertical ranging.
We just finished reading the full summary of UAW’s contract with GM (click here) and guess what; UAW included (by mistake?) GM’s future product portfolio through 2013!!! What a #ucking booboo! The list gives us an unprecedented view of specific product commitments in 16 assembly plants across the USA. As you might have guessed, GM isn't at all happy with UAW as this information is considered highly confidential for apparent competitive reasons. We’ve included the whole list for your gratification right after the jump (click the title or below), but here are a few goodies to get you started:| Plant | Products |
| | GMT 900 truck and SUV continued until 2012 C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement beginning 2013 |
| | Corvette and Cadillac XLR continue until 2011 Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacement product beginning 2012 |
| | Buick Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009 Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010 Global Epsilon Chevrolet beginning in 2012 |
| | Chevrolet Global Epsilon Buick and Saturn beginning in 2009 Chevrolet large 4-door notchback beginning in 2010 |
| | GMT 900 full-sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab until 2011 GMT 900 medium-duty truck continues until 2008 C3XX full sized truck and heavy-duty commercial cab beginning in 2012 |
| | GMT 900 full-sized truck and light-duty commercial cab until 2011 C3XX full-sized truck and light-duty pickup replacement product beginning in 2012 |
| | GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV continues until 2012 Medium-duty truck continues until 2009 C3XX full-sized truck and SUV replacement for current GMT 900 full-sized truck and SUV products beginning in 2013 |
| | GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda products continue until 2011 GMC, Saturn and Buick Lambda replacement products beginning in 2012 Chevrolet Lambda product beginning in 2011 |
| Lansing ( | Cadillac CTS, Cadillac STS and Cadillac SRX continue through 2009 Cadillac CTS wagon and Cadillac CTS coupe beginning in 2009 Zeta products (two styles) beginning in 2011 |
| | Chevrolet Cobalt and Global Gamma 4-door notchback beginning in 2010 Global Alpha (2 styles) beginning in 2011 |
| Orion, | |
| | GMT 900 full-sized light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup continue through 2011 C3XX full-sized truck, light-duty pickup and heavy-duty pickup beginning in 2012 |
| | H3, H3T, Chevrolet H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011 |
| | Chevrolet Lambda continues through 2012 Theta Epsilon SUV beginning in 2011 Next-generation Chevrolet Lambda replacement product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012 |
| | Chevrolet and GMC large vans continue through the product lifecycle, beyond 2012 Next-generation Chevrolet and GMC large vans replacement for the current product - demand and business-case dependent beyond 2012 |
| | |
No wonder Arnie doesn’t want anyone –especially teenagers (click here) to use cell-phones in their cars... Can you think of a better reason to ban those "devilish" machines in vehicles than this cell-phone related accident caused in 
Via: englishrussia
The X-Head is one of Suzuki’s many offerings at the forthcoming 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in late October. According to the Japanese carmaker, X-Head is a new type of lifestyle utility vehicle that incorporates the DNA of the Jimny and Grand Vitara. Huh? Looks more like a Jap version of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog if you ask us, but whatev; it’s not as if you’ll ever see one of these going to production. -Translated press release after the jumpTranslated Press Release
“X-HEAD” is " the cross utility vehicle " of the new genre which brings the various values which until recently are not. It has high running the whole distance characteristic, the “gym knee”, “the escudo”, it has high loading characteristic, DNA “of [kiyarii]” was succeeded, functional hopefulness was had. The naming, “X-HEAD” adjusting to the life style and sense of value of the person who rides, has meant the possibility this car which corresponds to various uses becoming unknown. Being possible to combine the carrier unit which is adjusted to life style 2 adults sleeps and can stay " the camper " and in the town coolly to ride it handles, " fashion " and so on, the person who rides " you play and stimulate heart and curiosity ". In addition, supposed the rescue rescue in various road circumstances " rescue " and so on, it is possible to answer also social mission, being tough, you propose the pleasant car.
Via: Le Blog Auto , Source: Suzuki
Motortrend’s senior editor, Ed Loh, scooped a Ford S-MAX this morning on Sunset Boulevard in Via: Motortrend
If you’re in your late 20’s – early 30’s like yours truly, you’ve probably spent countless hours as a kid in front of the TV watching Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) and his blacked out K.I.T.T. 2000. Yes, we shamelessly admit that there was a time and a place were we dreamed of driving Knight’s talking Trans-Am –with a handful of chicks in it! But we better stop here before we make a complete “arse” of ourselves… Anyway, what we really wanted to tell you is that NBC is bringing back the 1980s action-drama series. According to Variety, the new "Knight Rider" could air as early as next fall. There’s no word on which car will substitute the Pontiac Trans-Am, but producers are exploring the idea of adding "evil" cars to offset K.I.T.T. Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Variety
As many insiders predicted when General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) shook hands earlier this week, the shift of $50 billion in health-care obligations to the union fund was just half the story. Citing people with knowledge of the plan, Bloomberg is reporting today that GM and UAW have agreed to create a new class of jobs that’d pay about half the current rate thus breaking UAW's tradition of equal earnings for union members. Under the agreement, the so-called non-core employees like janitors and maintenance workers would get receive about $28 an hour in pay and benefits, compared with $51 for present employees. -Continued after the jump
While current “non-core” workers wouldn’t be affected by the accord, GM will try to by them out with the new pay structure applying to their replacements. But will this truly help GM? We can’t say for sure since it isn’t clear yet how many of GM's 73,000 current UAW- represented positions will be considered as non-core jobs. Analysts believe however that in order for this to have an substantial impact on GM, it would have to concern more than 5,000 workers.
Commenting on the report, Richard Block, a labor professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing told Bloomberg, “The company likes it because it cuts compensation costs and the union can swallow it because the people affected aren't going to vote because they don't exist yet,''. How true Mr. Block; what the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve...
Via: bloomberg
Hybrids are gaining momentum on just about everything that carries a set of wheels -even in commercial vehicles as Nissan proves. Renault’s partner in arms introduced a new Diesel-Hybrid version of its Atlas H43 light commercial vehicle (LCV) that will be available in 
Subie looks like its going to be teasing us over the next few weeks as it released the second blacked-out 2008 Impreza WRX STi image (see the first by clicking here). This time we’re getting a shadowy view of the STi’s arse with its quad exhaust pipes, the bulgy rear fenders and the miniscule –for an STi we mean, rear wing. We tried to enhance the image through photoshop, but apart from the kinky colored “STi” badge, we didn’t manage much. If you want to see the original picture just follow the jump.
Following BMW Group CEO, Norbert Reithofer’s announcements on the group’s future product plan (click here), Rolls Royce came out with further details on the Phantom Coupe. The British carmaker stated that the four-seater coupe inspired from the 101EX Concept, will be launched in 2008 with production scheduled to begin next summer at the company’s manufacturing plant in The Phantom Coupe will be equipped with the same 6.75 litre V12 engine that we find in the other Phantom models producing 453bhp and 720Nm of torque. Compared to the Convertible, the Coupe will be subtly tuned with more emphasis placed on the driver. The body will be shorter than that of the Phantom sedan and there will be revisions to the suspension and chassis set-up.
Rolls-Royce Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “With this car we wanted to emphasise the performance potential of the 6.75 litre V12 engine and the effortless experience that it delivers. Whilst never overtly sporty, Rolls-Royce is a brand that has always offered owners a powerful and refined drive combined with, as Sir Henry Royce described it, a bit of fizz.”
Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This new model represents an important milestone in the company’s history. It completes the Phantom family and judging by the customer reaction to 101EX, we are confident of its success. Our challenge lies in meeting the exceptional levels of customer demand for the Phantom range and in preparing Goodwood to meet the needs of future new cars.”
It’s been a year since Holden racing legend Peter Brock lost his life in a tragic car accident at the Targa West rally in Peter Champion told Drive, “Our plan is to base the cars on a VE SS. We won't touch the cars mechanically, because we don't want to void the warranty, but if customers want performance modifications, we will look at it.”
We'd like to revive the look of all four Group A Commodores and we're working on bodykits and talking to wheel suppliers as we speak. We also want to make sure there is a good supply of parts for the original Brock Commodores” Drive’s artist drew up a few impressions of how future HDT Commodores could look. You can check all of them out along with the full interview by clicking the link below.
Via: Drive
Nestled in the suburbs of Over the past week, at
Our advanced training consisted of collision avoidance, going about 50 mph in an Impala SS, reverse serpentine which I failed miserably especially in the massive Silverado, the reverse straight line which clearly indicated why the grass on the left side of my drive way is dieing, and the break and swerve in the grandfather of all Buicks the Lucerne.-Continued after the jump
The highlight however, was the opportunity we were given to experience the electronic stability control systems (ESC) a.k.a “stabilitrak”. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency land changes or avoidance maneuvers. The system detects any difference between the steering wheel position and the vehicles actual path. It selectively controls braking and engine power to gain control of the vehicles direction and keep it on course. GM started installing these systems on passenger cars in 97. It comes standard on about half of the 2006 and 2007 models and is projected to come standard on all the cars and light trucks sold by the end of 2010.
We all took turns as passengers in one car equipped with stabilitrak and one without. There was an obvious difference between the too. Aside from that, the GM drivers that took us out on the test let it rip and showed us what stabilitrak can really do when things get out of control.
Posted by Daniella
VW’s Czech subsidiary has confirmed that it will introduce it’s first ever SUV model based on the 2005 Yeti Concept (picture). Production of Skoda’s fifth model line will commence in 2009 with the Czech carmaker stating that it will be manufactured in its Kvasiny plant in the ŠKODA YETI TO BE MANUFACTURED IN THE
Production of Škoda’s fifth model line is due to start in 2009 and many new jobs will be created in the firm’s home country following this announcement. The Kvasiny facility, along with Škoda’s other plant in Vrchlabí, will be extensively modernised and expanded in order to meet the board’s aim of having three full-scale Czech factories by 2010.
Mladá Boleslav, the carmaker’s main plant and headquarters, will continue to produce the Fabia and Octavia. However, the Volkswagen plant in
Detlef Wittig, chairman of Škoda’s board of directors, said: “Thanks to the growing demand for the Octavia we are looking for suitable manufacturing capacities elsewhere that will enable us to quickly react to the enormous interest shown by customers in our model range. “
