Video: Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Last week Mercedes revealed the SLR Stirling Moss, a final-run, limited-edition speedster version of the SLR supercar named in tribute to British race ace Stirling Moss. The most exclusive variant of the SLR is powered by a supercharged V8 engine with 650HP for a zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in less than 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). Skip the jump below to watch a promo film of the German speedster or click here to check out our initial post that includes 22 high-res photographs.

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New Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S with 433HP to Debut in Detroit

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January, Maserati will take the wraps off the sportiest Quattroporte yet. Based on the Quattroporte S, the new Sport GT S gains a more powerful version of Maserati's 4.7-litre V8 engine with a remapped ECU that delivers an output of 433HP. Maserati also updated the gearshift management software while the front and rear suspension system gets new single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height. Other mechanical changes concern the new sport exhaust system which is controlled by pneumatic valves for a deeper and more throaty sound bite.

Cosmetic changes over the standard Quattroporte S include a new black grille with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, a metallic titanium finish for the headlights, body-coloured door handles, black finishing around the doors and black twin oval exhaust pipes. Inside the sportiest Quattroporte boasts new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara and leather upholstery as well as titanium colored composite material for the trim.

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GM's Holden to Build New Compact Model Based on Opel Astra & Chevy Cruze

The official teaser sketch you see above gives us our first glimpse of Holden's upcoming, Australian built compact car that will available in late 2010 in both four-door sedan and hatchback versions. The yet unnamed compact model will be based on GM's global Delta small car architecture that underpins the Chevy Cruze as well as the next-generation Opel / Vauxhall / Saturn Astra. It will be GM Holden's first locally produced car beyond the Commodore (sold in the States as the Pontiac G8) since the demise of the Vectra production in 1998.

Local design and engineering work on the Australian vehicle will take place at GM Holden's Port Melbourne headquarters in the State of Victoria. The front-wheel drive model will be offered with an array of 4-cylinder direct injected petrol and diesel engines while Holden said that it is also considering a range of alternative fuel or fuel saving technologies including E85, LPG, CNG and start-stop hybrid capability.

Further details about the compact model including its nameplate, design specifications and pricing will be revealed at a later date.

Production of Holden's second carline at the firm's Elizabeth manufacturing facility in South Australia will start in the third quarter of 2010 with support from the Federal and South Australian Governments. According to GM's Australian subsidiary, the program will require 500 to 600 existing employees at Elizabeth and is estimated to provide 500 to 600 local supplier positions.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss said the announcement provided opportunity to take a leading role in developing alternative fuel and fuel saving technologies in Australia for Australians. Mr Reuss said the program would be a major contributor to the economy, generating an estimated $70 million to $80 million in wages and $30 million in research and development.

"Together with Government, we are extending the scope and consumer appeal of our local manufacturing efforts," Mr Reuss said. "We have been building Holden cars to suit the needs of Australian motorists for 60 years. These plans build on that tradition. We recognise the needs and desires of motorists are evolving with growing concern around environmental factors and shifting consumer sentiment."

"Just as our leading Commodore range will continue to undergo technological development, this new vehicle will cater for growing demand for smaller cars focussed on economy," Mr Reuss added.

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Video: In-Car Footage from Porsche's Driving Experience Centre at Silverstone

In late November, Porsche officially opened its new Driving Experience Centre adjacent to the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in Northamptonshire, England. The Centre offers a variety of track configurations and surface conditions on which drivers can check out the potential of all Porsche road cars. In this video, one of the Porsche Driving Consultants takes a lap at the facilities of the German firm's centre, including the low friction circuit, the ice hill, the kick plate, the handling circuit and the off-road course.

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Land Rover Cancels G4 Challenge Programme

As the global economic recession deepens, automakers around the world are either canceling or pulling out from all sorts of competitions. Land Rover said today that it will cancel the Land Rover G4 Challenge programme in order to focus more on product launches in 2009. The G4 Challenge that started in 2003 as the spiritual successor to the Camel Trophy, was recognized as the one of the world's top off-road driving and adventure events. It was held every two years with national selection events taking place in 18 countries around the globe.

"Given the severity of the global economic downturn and trading conditions, we need to make some tough decisions and that means prioritizing our budgets on new product launches," said Phil Popham, Managing Director Land Rover.

"We are disappointed for the competitors who have shown so much commitment and put tremendous effort into succeeding as representatives of their nation. We have and will continue to take swift and decisive actions for the benefit of the business; unfortunately that means the Land Rover G4 Challenge has to come to an early close," he added.

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GM May Reduce Pontiac Line-Up to Just One Model - Which One Should it be?

When it comes to survival, then nothing's absurd. In order for General Motors to stay afloat in these tough economic times, the U.S. automaker has to revaluate its entire strategy and make decisions that were unthinkable up until now - including the shrinkage of Pontiac which currently sells six-model (G8, G6, G5, Solstice, Vibe, and Torrent). "It might be just one model," Mark LaNeve, GM's North American sales chief, said in an interview. The firm that was supposed to build exciting cars has seen drop in sales every year since 1999. In the first 11 months of 2008, sales of the Pontiac brand are down 23 percent from a year earlier to 250,902 units.

"The one remaining Pontiac model would be sold alongside Buicks and GMCs, on a scale similar to its Corvette available in Chevrolet showrooms", LaNeve told Bloomberg. The question is, if GM decided to keep the Pontiac nameplate alive and not can the brand entirely, which car should remain?

According to John Wolkonowicz, an analyst from IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, that model will most likely be the Holden Commodore based G8 sedan which was introduced this year in the U.S. market.

But honestly now, is there a point of GM holding onto the Pontiac brand with a one-model range when it is facing such serious problems that threaten the company's existence?

If the General believes -for whatever reasons- that it needs the G8, why not just sell it under the Chevy nameplate? Yes, once upon a time Pontiac made cars that stood out from the competition and filled GM's pockets with money, but times change and if you can't support a brand with its own unique line-up then we find no reason to keep it alive for sentimental's sake.

Source: Bloomberg

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Video: Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line

Maserati has released new video material from the Bologna Motor Show where the Italian carmaker debuted its new MC Sport Line customization program - a series of options that enhance the sporty performance and look of the vehicles. The first model in Maserati's line-up to benefit from the MC Sport Line program is the GranTurismo S which gains a forest of carbon fiber accessories inside and out, as well as suspension modifications. Hit the jump to watch the video or click here for our previous post on the Italian sports coupe.

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STRUT Hummer H2 Matte-Black

Many people find Hummer vehicles as being too big, too thirsty and too damaging from an environmental point of view - and they're all probably right. However, if there's one positive thing that can be said about Hummer's off-road models that has to be their communicative and distinct styling which sets them apart from anything else you see on the road. Even better when the color of choice is a matte-black like the one on this heavily customized H2 show car that is scheduled to be featured in both DUB and Truckin' Magazines in 2009.

Aside from the cool paint job, the blacked-out H2 also features an array of accessories such as flat black 24-inch alloy wheels, a STRUT body kit, chipped engine, upgraded suspension and even a 'grenade' like shifter.

The overall cost of the custom work performed on the H2 is said to be valued in excess of $60,000 - and that does not include the price of the vehicle itself of course.

Custom features:
* STRUT front end kit, which includes two grilles, front bumper extensions and chimney stacks
* STRUT badges throughout the vehicle
* STRUT wheels / custom ordered 24 inch set of 5; painted flat black
* 37 inch tires (Toyo Open Country)
* 1 inch lift to fit the tires but low enough to minimize head clearance
* Professional grade flat black paint job on entire exterior of vehicle (including bumpers, side panels, etc). We also added a clear coat to protect the paint and provide a subtle sheen
* Custom, diamond tucked suede interior (black), including a suede headliner
* Custom exhaust system with dual tips

* Engine has been chipped for better performance & acceleration
* Amp Research drop down H2 steps
* Custom made H2 BREMBO brake pads; set of 4
* Custom accessory pieces (hood handles, door handles, side markers, etc)
* Flat black Grenade shifter
* Blacked out interior handles, center console, etc.
* Smoked/tinted lights on entire vehicle (front, back, roof, sides, etc)
* Custom carbon fiber on side view mirrors
* Navigation, OnStar, XM radio, iPod hook-up
* Advanced Clifford Alarm System with keyless entry, remote ignition start/kill switch, and a 1-mile tamper detection warning/antenna
* Seat warmers in the front and back
* One touch system that drops all the windows down simultaneously, providing an open air feel
* BOSE sound system with an aftermarket AMP, iPod connection, and woofers with a custom box under the rear set.

Via: Motorpasion , Source: Madwhips

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Video Presentation: 2009 Porsche Cayman S Facelift

Unveiled together with the freshened Boxster at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, Porsche's facelifted Cayman coupe has received a few minor cosmetic revisions as well as a new version of the flat-six engine, offering more power but also improved fuel efficiency. The basic Cayman features a 2.9-liter direct-injection straight six that cranks out 265HP while the 3.4-litre power unit in the S-version, benefiting from direct fuel injection, now delivers 320HP. The Cayman is scheduled for market launch in February 2009.

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Hartge's New Alloy Wheel Design for the 2009 BMW 7-Series

In anticipation of its pending tuning program for the latest iteration of the BMW 7-Series, Hartge has decided to release a new alloy wheel design for the Bavarian luxury sedan. The Hartge Classic wheel set is available in 22-inches and is combined with 265/30 ZR 22 tires up front and 295/25 ZR 22 tires on the rear axle. Pricing has yet to be announced.

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Video: Volkswagen Coupe Design Study

The Volkswagen Coupe Concept is a design study created by Daniel Dozza Gerzon for the "Talento Design Volkswagen 2008" competition in Brazil. The concept with the Kia Kee-esque front end and Bugatti-like profile (someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today...) was designed as front-engined two-door coupe capable of accommodating four passengers in a 2+2 seating arrangement. You can see more pictures as well as a video of Gerzon's coupe study right after the jump.

Via: Autoblog.it

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Fiat Group Postpones Lancia's U.K. Re-launch Indefinitely

The Fiat Group seems to be making a habit out of announcing plans for the reintroduction of one of its brands in key markets and then, for whatever reasons, it postpones its plans - e.g. Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S... The Latest victim of this "policy" is Lancia as Fiat announced that it will delay the production of right-hand drive version for an indefinite period. "Given the current global economic crisis, Fiat Auto has taken the decision to delay the reintroduction of the Lancia brand in right-hand-drive markets beyond 2009," said Fiat in a statement."

Furthermore, Britain's Autocar magazine was told by a Fiat UK insider that there was no sense in importing the new £20k-plus Delta luxury hatchback due to the economic crisis and that the company has no new schedule in place for a later UK roll-out either . "Right now it would be ill-advised to commit to a date on any relaunch of Lancia in Britain," the unnamed Fiat source said.

As for those in the UK that may have put a down payment for the Delta, the Fiat source said that any that had, would be reimbursed.

Via: Autocar

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Toyota's U.S. Auto Sales Plunge 33.9% in November

Toyota's U.S. sales plummeted November as consumers continue to avoid dealer showrooms. The Japanese automaker sold a total of 130,307 vehicles, representing a 33.9% fall from the same month a year earlier (on a daily selling rate basis). The Toyota Division that includes the Scion brand posted November sales of 114,084 units, a decrease of 33.8% from last November while Lexus reported November sales of 16,223 units, a decrease of 34.7% from the year-ago month.

Toyota's passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined sales of 25,224 units. The best selling Scion vehicle was the xB with 2,161 units while Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined November sales of 5,850 units.

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NISMO 370Z S-Tune: Real Life Photos

New photos of the performance-minded Nissan 370Z (also known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) prepared by NISMO have found their way into the internet. Even though Nissan's in-house tuning and motorsport division has yet to release any official information, a brochure that was leaked into the web a few weeks ago has provided us with initial details. NISMO will offer 370Z buyers two sport packages that can be combined. The first package is called S-Tune Aero and it includes a full body kit that comprises of a front-end lip spoiler, a new nose, side skirts, a rear-spoiler, fender protectors as well as a set of NISMO-badged floor mats.

For more demanding drivers, NISMO will offer the S-Tune Performance package which promises to further improve the Japanese coupe's handling characteristics. The package consists of a sport exhaust system, LMZ5 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, a sport suspension with new springs and dampers, upgraded brake calipers and a set of floor mats. You can check out the Japanese-market prices for the NISMO S-Tune packages by taking a look at the leaked brochure here.

Photos via: The370 & 370ztech

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