SCOOP: 2008 Mercedes E-Class

Can't say for sure whether the designers over at Auto Motor und Sport had inside info or not when they came up with the E-Class renderings, but they sure do look s-e-x-y! Something between a CLS and a S-Class, the next generation E-Class shown here combines tectonic elegance with Italian brio. Lets hope that when the car comes out late 2008 - early 2009, it will look a lot like these renderings.

Design apart, from what we gather the new E-Class will use a bunch of S-Class gimmicks and safety options. As for the engine range, in Europe, the basic model will use an updated version of the 1.8 Kompressor which will be presented next year -probably first on the SLK, while the top spec AMG will continue using the naturally aspirated 6.3 V8 541Hp engine found on the current E55 AMG. There will also be a hybrid version that will use the GM-Mercedes-BMW co-developed drivetrain -read more about it here: Carscoop. Via: Automotorundsport

Technorati: Mercedes+E-Class, scoop, photos, images, pictures, 2007, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, hybrid, Carscoop

Toyota FJ Cruiser Race Truck To Debut At The 38th Baja 1000 Rally

At this years 38th Baja 1000 Race, the FJ Cruiser will be certain to set all coyotes howling in the night and all rattlers runnin' home to mama as this grueling monster races from Ensenada to La Paz across Mexico's barren Baja California.

Entered in the Mini Stock Class, it will be driven in the four day race (Nov 15-18th) by the father-son team of Rod and Ryan Millen, with additional driving support from Adam Dupre. Rod is the current record holder in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (10 min & 4.6 sec) set in 1994 in a Celica Turbo. He claimed 5 overall Pikes Peak Championships and 8 class championships.

Just its roof mounted lights and its obstacle crushing, dust churning; 16" black TRD wheels are enough to create a desert storm. The FJ Race Truck contains several performance and safety modifications including a revised suspension and heavy-duty Roll cage among the most visible, yet it remains primarily a stock vehicle. Performance features include BFG A/T LT285/75R16 tires on 16" black TRD wheels with two onboard spares.

The Race Truck is based on the all-new TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser, 3,200 of which will be produced. It goes on sale at Toyota dealerships this week. Coming soon to a mud-pit near you...

Technorati: Toyota+FJ+Cruiser, Baja+1000, bodykit, SUV, truck, Rally, Desert, 2006, tune, tuning+news, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop

Chery Automobiles to supply Fiat with 1.6 & 1.8lt engines!

Could this be the end of the "Italian" world as we knew it? Well we'd better get used to the idea as Fiat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese car company, Chery.

According to this agreement, Chery Automobile will supply more than 100,000 1.6 and 1.8 lt gasoline engines for application in Fiat cars to be produced in China and... most importantly, outside China -though they didn't say which markets will receive the Chinese made engines (lets hope, not engineered). The two companies are engaged to sign the definitive supply agreement before year end.

PS: When Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne says that he sees "the potential for a wider cooperation both in powertrains and, eventually, in other automotive sectors", i hope he doesn't mean something like this: GreatWall Panda

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat:"The agreement with Chery will give us the opportunity to further increase the competitiveness of our product range on the international markets. In the relation with Chery we see the potential for a wider cooperation both in powertrains and, eventually, in other automotive sectors"

Yin Tongyao, President and General Manager of Chery Automobiles: " The successful cooperation between Chery and Fiat Auto shows Fiat's confidence and trust in Chery, and it is also an important step taking by Chery. The prospect of our cooperation is very promising

Technorati: Fiat+Group, Chery+Automobiles, China, engines, 2007, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

Subaru announces new SPT power kits for Impreza WRX / STI and Legacy 2.5 GT

Besides debuting the Forester Sport versions, Subaru also announced at the SEMA show the launch of a new power kit for its 2007 Impreza WRX & STI and Legacy GT models. The Power Packs consist of the SPT Performance Exhaust System, SPT High Flow Air Intake System and SPT Heat Shield.

According to Subaru ,the SPT Power Packs have been dyno-tested and, when measured at the wheel, produce up to 30hp and 20lb-ft of torque on a stock 2007 STI, up to 10hp with 17lb-ft of torque on a stock 2006 WRX model, and up to 30hp and 30lb-ft of torque on a stock 2007 Legacy GT Sedan.

Technorati: Subaru+Impreza+WRX, Subaru+Impreza+WRX+STi, Subaru+Legacy, boxer, Subaru+SEMA, 2007, SEMA+Show, SEMA, 2006, Specialty+Equipment+Market+Association, Las+Vegas, tune, tuning+news, 2007, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

SEMA Show: 2007 Subaru Forester Sports 2.5 X 173Hp & Sports 2.5 XT 224Hp

Not exactly the news someone would expect from a company like Subaru at a Show like SEMA. Basically, what we have here are two new versions of the Forester with a face job. To be specific, the 173Hp Forester Sports 2.5X and its turbocharged brother, the 224Hp 2.5XT, are distinguished from their siblings by a new front bumper and unique black mesh grille.

The Forester Sports 2.5 XT in addition features standard 17" alloy wheels while inside, both versions feature anthracite black fabric upholstery. Also, the roof rail crossbars have been deleted on the Forester Sports models, but remain available as an accessory.

Technorati: Subaru+Forester+Sports, 2.5X, 2.5XT, boxer, Subaru+SEMA, 2007, SEMA+Show, SEMA, 2006, Specialty+Equipment+Market+Association, Las+Vegas, tune, tuning+news, 2007, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

VID of the Day: Lamborghini Murcielago Torture

Can't decide whether this video makes me want to cry or get high... Cry for the torture that this Italian beauty is submitted to, get high for that orgasmic symphony of notes coming out of the "beast's" heavenly V12... Via: Autoblog.it

Technorati: Lamborghini+Murcielago, Video, V12, 2007, clip, burnout, photos, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

SEMA Show: Mazda CX-7 Adrenaline 300Hp

Mazda's 2007 CX-7 received the "Sin City" treatment at this years SEMA show. Staring of with the engine, Mazda re-tuned the CX-7's 2.3 turbo motor (modified intake system, header with a free-flow exhaust and more boost from the re-plumped turbo) thus, increasing output to 300Hp (stock, 244Hp).

The "yellow-mellow" Adrenaline's exterior attributes include new styling front and rear, a clam shell front clip, wrap around rear spoiler and an innovative rear glass design. New fenders and doors give Adrenaline a three-inch wider overall stance. Wheel wells are filled out through the fitment of wheels with a larger-than-stock offset (22" alloys and 285/35-R22 Yokohama tires). Inside, Adrenaline boasts fresh new colors and materials, including all-new audio and interior functions

Colours apart, this souped up CX-7 actually looks quite good and in my opinion, Mazda should consider carrying on some styling elements (ex. the front fascia) to the stock version latter on.

Technorati: Mazda+CX-7, Mazda+CX-7+Adrelanine, Mazda+SEMA, 2007, SEMA+Show, SEMA, 2006, Specialty+Equipment+Market+Association, Las+Vegas, tune, tuning+news, 2007, scoop, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

SEMA Show: 300Hp Mitsubishi Evolander previews future Ralliart Edition

As its name implies, the Evolander concept infuses the Outlander with performance elements and design cues from the Lancer Evolution. Don't let yourself down cause it's a concept though, as in Mitsubishi's own words , "the Evolander represents the design and engineering possibilities of what could be an Outlander Ralliart production model in the future"

Specs: The output of the Outlander's 3.0 V6 (220 hp) swells to 300 hp with the help of an ATI/Roadrace Engineering Procharger system. The increased power is fed through a 6speed automatic transmission actuated by the same paddle shifters that'll equip the next generation performance model. The list of Evolander's dynamic enhancements includes a Roadrace Engineering/Muellerized coilover suspension system and lightweight 20" OZ wheels.

Exterior: The Evolander's exterior design shares several characteristics with the Lancer Evolution like the fascia design with its cooling and brake duct intakes and the aggressively vented hood. The Lancer Evolution also lends rally-inspired, box flares to the Evolander, increasing the width of the vehicle at the fenders by 28 mm. The Evolander also features a more aggressive aerodynamic treatment, with lowered side sills, fender vents, a rear diffuser and a Ralliart rear spoiler.

Interior: The Evolander's interior also fuses sporting elements from Evolution as the Recaro reclining racing seats that cradle and support driver and passenger helping improve a driver's seating position and vehicle control during aggressive driving.

Technorati: Mitsubishi+Evolander, Mitsubishi+Outlander, Mitsubishi+Lancer+EVO, 2007, SEMA+Show, SEMA, 2006, Specialty+Equipment+Market+Association, Las+Vegas, tune, tuning+news, 2007, scoop, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop