Seat Ibiza SportCoupe Official Details & Images

Today, VW’s Spanish subsidiary Seat took the wraps off the three-door variant of the new Ibiza that will bear the “SportCoupe” insignia. The production version of the Bocanegra concept is slightly shorter (4.034 vs 4.052 mm) and lower (1.428 vs 1.445 mm) than its 5door sibling while it also features a different C-pillar design. But other than that and despite the promising name, the SportCoupe is practically an Ibiza minus two doors.

In terms of powertrain options, the new Seat Ibiza SportCoupe is equipped with the VW Group’s new seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox on its 105 hp 1.6 version for the first time in this segment. When it goes on sale in Europe this fall, the SportCoupe’s engine range will also include an 80Hp 1.4-liter petrol and 90Hp 1.9-liter diesel units. -Continued

In the near future, Seat will enhance the SportCoupe’s range wuth frugal and ecological ECOMOTIVE variant along with the sporty FR and Cupra versions that will most probably be equipped with the VW Group’s turbocharged 1.4-liter TSI units. The Ibiza SportCoupe will make its public debut at this month's British Motor Show in London.

2010 Nissan Subcompact SUV/Crossover Teaser Sketch

Nissan has released a teaser sketch of its forthcoming subcompact SUV/Crossover/CUV (call it whatever you want) that will be built at its Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom, starting in 2010. We can't be entirely sure, but from the looks of it, Nissan's new crossover will most probably be a three-door model

The all-new model that will follow in the footsteps of the Qashqai Crossover will be an addition to the current Nissan range and for the Sunderland plant, and it will take up the manufacturing capacity created when production of the current version of the Micra ends in 2010. Production of the next-generation Micra supermini will be shifted to a new plant in Chennai, India that is being built by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. -Continued

The decision was announced following a visit today by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to Nissan’s European Design Centre in central London where he met Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co.

The Prime Minister said, "Nissan is a global manufacturer with strong roots in Britain and I'm pleased to welcome Nissan's new investment in the UK. Today's announcement that a brand new car is to be designed and built in the UK is another important boost to our manufacturing industry, and builds upon Nissan's recent commitments to increase investment and jobs at its record breaking Sunderland plant.”

"Sunderland's success shows what an innovative, talented and highly committed workforce can achieve, and reaffirms the UK's position as a strong player in the global car industry," he added.

Carlos Ghosn on his behalf said, “By delivering on tough commitments, our employees at Sunderland have demonstrated our plant can be a globally competitive centre for the production of high-value products. We are encouraged by the proactive support shown by the British government to decide new products for the Sunderland plant.”

Totally Blacked Out Citroen C6

Though not as near as menacing as the matte black C3 Corvette that we showed you earlier today, this black-themed Citroen C6 does look bad enough to make you wonder whether or not it’s hiding a pack of well dressed and armed chaps inside its luxurious interior. The all-black version of Citroen’s rang-topping model was created by the team running the French edition of Intersection magazine. –More pics after the jump

Via: Diariomotor , Source: Arktip

Ferrari Recalling 612 Scagliettis with F1 Transmission

Italian sports carmaker Ferrari announced today that it will recall MY 2005 – 2007 612 Scaglietti vehicles equipped with F1 transmissions. The reason behind the recall is a faulty clutch sensor in the transmission that could malfunction under normal operating conditions due to the heat produced by the vehicle, resulting to improper function of the clutch assembly and making gear shifting very difficult. If you happen to be one of the 366 owners affected by the recall in the U.S., you may contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2600.

Germans Invent World’s First 4WD Pedal Powered Kart

Forget about mountain bikes; the newest trend in off-roading is called Trailcart and according to its creators, it’s the world’s first pedal-powered four wheel drive off-road vehicle. The Trailcart was conceived by Frank Fraune from Germany who caught the attention of the folks at AS Group when it was featured in a local newspaper.

Now AS Group is testing Trailcart prototypes and it shouldn’t be long before the first production karts hit the (off) road. Mind you, one of the first clients to get the Trailcart will be Land Rover that’ll use the 4WD pedal kart at the Land Rover Adventure Tour 2008 in Malaysia. -Continued

We don’t have all the technical details in our hands yet, but Treehugger notes that the Trailcart is built from high-end sportsbikes parts, including the Shimano Nexus 8 shifting system along with a double-action mechanical hydraulic braking system. In terms of weight, AS Group is targeting to keep it under 50 kg / 100 lbs which is the typical limit for bicycle racks on cars.

Even though we’re pretty sure that you’d probably be better off with a mountain bike –unless you’re going downhill or you have the stamina and strength of an Olympian athlete that is, the Trailcart does look like it could offer plenty of fun. Come to think of it, the way gas prices are going, if AS Group adds a couple of cup holders, we could actually see ourselves using it for our daily chores during those snowy winters here in MA.

Via: Trehugger , Source: Trailcart

Clarion Presents 3D Navigation Systems for Europe

The MAP780 for Europe and the MAP680 for UK & Ireland are Clarion’s newest portable navigation devices (PND). Their most prominent feature is that map buildings, landmarks and elevation changes are shown in 3D. As you can see in the screen shots, buildings close to the driver appear see-through when approached, so as not to obstruct the view of the next junction, whilst buildings further away are textured and solid, making them more recognisable as reference points. -Continued

Clarion has also incorporated detailed lane information for the first time on its new PNDs, with all lanes available rendered in 3D, -the one needed is highlighted. Moreover, both PNDs are equipped with a Bluetooth system that allows the display of SMS (text) messages on-screen, as well giving touch-screen access to a paired phone or PDA, whilst audio streaming (A2DP) and MP3/WMA playback is also possible via a built-in music player.

Breckland Beira: Pontiac Solstice / Opel GT Based British Roadster with LS2 V8

Every time a small carmaker closes in the UK, another one opens. The latest company to join the sportscar club from the UK is Norfolk-based Breckland which is part of Hong Kong-based multi-national, Riche Holdings. Breckland’s main line of work is the development and production of low volume specialist cars and prototypes for an array of international clients, including Mosler.

“Beira carries on from where Marcos and TVR left off in terms of providing maximum performance for money spent, and real individuality”, says Breckland Director, Mike Rawlings. “We wanted to showcase Breckland’s design and engineering capabilities and produce an exciting driver’s car, with excellent handling dynamics, terrific performance and great looks,” he added

The Beira, which will go on sale in the UK from November 2008, is a hand-built, two-seat roadster, based on GM’s Kappa rear-wheel-drive architecture aka, the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel GT. However, instead of using the Ecotec 4-cylinder unit, Breckland equipped the Beira with a GM derived, 400Hp LS2 6.0-litre V8 engine matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Interestingly, the Beira’s V8 is designed to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas as well as petrol. -Continued

Other key changes include the re-engineered suspension by Breckland in association with KW Suspension, with uprated springs, dampers and bushes, plus thicker anti-roll bars front and rear.

Stopping power in the Beira is provided by 325mm ventilated discs on all four corners, the fronts being grasped by six-pot callipers, with four-pot at the rear, both from UK specialists, HiSpec. Steering is via power-assisted rack and pinion, whilst the new 18-inch alloy wheels are 8.5” front and 9.5” rears, shod with Bridgestone ultra-low profile tires. Optionally, customers can upgrade to 19-inch diameter rims and tires.

Breckland says that the Beira, that tips the scale at some 1,400kg or about 3,090 lbs, can achive a sub-five second time for the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint while its top speed is governed at 250 km/h or 155mph.

In terms of design, the Beira looks like a cross between a Saturn Sky / Opel GT and a Lotus Elise, which isn’t that bad. Despite the inclusion of an additional 70-litre LPG reservoir to go with the existing, 13-gallon petrol tank, the Beira promises to offer a significant increase in usable luggage space with the hood down, thanks to some clever packaging solutions.

Although we don’t have a clear view of the interior, Breckland seems to have retained the basic design of the Sky/GT cabins. The Breira does however feature hand-stitched leather/Alcantara seats and trim while Breckland stresses that the interior can be customized to specific buyer requirements in terms of materials and equipment.

In terms of prices, Breckland states that the Beira on-the-road price will be confirmed shortly but is expected to be in the region of £55,000 ($108,200 or €70,00) in the UK. The Beira will debut in left-hand drive form, and will be available in the UK and internationally via Breckland’s appointed agent network from November 2008.

Video: Gigi Galli Records Fastest Avg Speed at Acropolis Rally

While we wouldn’t mind having Solberg or Loeb take us for a spin, if it were up to us, Gigi Galli would be by far our first choice as we consider the Italian as one of the most spectacular rally drivers ever to set foot on the WRC.

At the Acropolis Rally and despite the fact that Galli was forced to retire three stages before the finish due to a broken suspension arm on his Ford Focus, the Italian won the inaugural Colin McRae Trophy, offered by the organizers of the Acropolis Rally to the driver with the fastest avg. speed through a stage. Galli recorded the rally’s fastest average speed -100.77 km/h or 62.7 mph- though Sunday’s 15.14 km Avlonas stage. -Video after the jump