Volkswagen Touran 7-Seater MPV Receives Second Mid-Life Facelift

For the second time since its introduction in 2003 and four years after the presentation of the revised model in 2006, the Volkswagen Touran 7-seater MPV has yet again been facelifted.

Due to make its world premiere at this month's Auto Mobil International (AMI) motor show, which runs from 10 to 18 April in Leipzig, Germany, the 2011 Touran features a refreshed styling inspired by the new Polo, Golf and Touareg models.

At the front, the Touran gets VW's latest corporate grille along with new headlamp and bumper designs. The rear section of the Touran was also restyled featuring two-piece tail lamps that extend from the wing into the tailgate, while VW's designers also modified the MPV's profile by adding an upwards kink on the rear window section.

Completing the revisions are a set of new alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle as well as new exterior mirrors.

Inside the Touran, fresh new trim finishes are joined by a three-spoke steering wheel, a new set of dials featuring subtle white backlighting and a large electronic display plus a revised centre console with chrome highlights that houses new controls for the ventilation system.

The Touran continues to be fitted with seven seats as standard. The third row of can be folded down into the floor leaving a 695 lt loadspace that can be increased to 1,913 lt when the centre row of seats is folded. A total of 39 storage compartments can be found around the new Touran.

Power for the 2011 Touran comes from a range of diesel and gasoline engines, all turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder units.

The new entry-level 1.2-liter TSI gasoline unit with 105HP is joined by a 140HP 1.4-liter TSI offered with 140HP and 170HP, the latter paired with a standard seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.

The diesel-lineup includes a 1.6-liter TDI with 90HP and 105HP, and a 2.0-liter TDI with 140HP and 170HP.

In addition, the 1.6-litre 140HP and 105HP diesel engines can be specified in BlueMotion Technology trim complete with Start/Stop and, in the case of the latter, the ability to return 4.6lt/100km (58.8mpg US or 70.6mpg UK) on the combined cycle.

Aside from the models that come with standard DSG, all other variants of the Touran are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Grand Prix back to IndyCar?

At the Bahrain Grand Prix on the last week Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone quoted as saying that the return of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is under consideration. Not so fast, say supporters of the track, who said that if the company is not interested in attracting U. S. Grand Prix ago, speaking now.

Since the first U.S. Grand Prix was held in 1908 French Grand Prix is held at various locations across the country, including Savannah, Milwaukee, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Phoenix, not to mention different races in Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit and Dallas, and even years, during the Indy 500 counted at the world championships in Formula But between them there are huge gaps: There is no competition "has no place between 1917 and 1957, 1981 or 1992 -- '88-'99.

After eight races in Indianapolis, took place between 2000 and 2007 - including a gloomy 2005, when Michelin boycotted the event, six cars from the network - Offshore Racing for the past three calendar years. The automakers continue to compete in the series (after the recent withdrawal of Honda, Toyota and BMW) seek to return as American racing fans

Lexus Is Primed For 2010 With New F-Sport

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – March 9, 2010:

New grade at the heart of changes for the new model year
Sharper looks and new high-tech on-board features are central to Lexus’s revision of its best-selling IS sports saloon for 2010.

Inspired by the ultra-high-performance IS F, the IS range has been extended with a new F-Sport grade that focuses on highly desirable sports styling features.

New F-Sport grade
The new F-Sport grade, available for both IS 250 and 220d models, takes its cue from the high impact styling of the IS F and is positioned in the IS line-up between the established SE-I and SE-L models.

The dedicated F-Sport exterior features include lowered suspension (IS 250 only), exclusive 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler. In the cabin there are aluminium sports pedals, IS F-style sports seats, steering wheel and (on the IS 250 automatic) gear lever. The seats are finished in a combination of Alcantara upholstery with leather side bolsters.

A black-on-black interior colour scheme is complimented by a black headlining and grey stitching detail on the front seats and steering wheel.

F-Sport models share a number of premium equipment features with SE-L grade, including rain-sensing wipers, HID headlights with AFS, 13-speaker audio system and memory settings for the front seats and door mirrors.

Navigation and audio systems
Lexus has developed one of the most accurate and fast-responding navigation systems on the market. Using a 40GB hard disc drive (HDD), it provides Europe-wide coverage and is able to gather live local traffic intelligence in each country to help plot the most efficient route, wherever you may be.

A further benefit of the HDD system is its “sound library” function. Up to 10GB of disc space is available for owners to store audio tracks from CD – room enough for about 2,000 songs.

The touch-screen, full-map system is available as an option on SE and SE-I models as part of package that also includes a rear park assist monitor.

For F-Sport and SE-L versions of IS, it is included in the optional Multimedia Package, together with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System and the rear park assist monitor.

All Lexus IS audio systems can be upgraded to receive DAB digital broadcasts and are equipped as standard with USB and audio jack plug connection for fully controlled use of portable music players, and Bluetooth with an audio streaming function.

The Mark Levinson audio package now features a “sound library” function, using the navigation system’s HDD to transfer and store music files from CD up to 10GB capacity.

Larger wheels for SE grade
Lexus IS 250 SE and 220d SE have been given more street appeal for 2010 with 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard, in place of the previous 16-inch rims.

Improved fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions
The revisions made to the IS 250 for the 2010 model year have yielded improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With manual transmission, combined cycle economy is now 29.1mpg, compared to 28.8mpg for the 2009 model; the new figure for the automatic is 31.7mpg (from 31.0mpg). CO2 emissions have fallen from 231 to 227g/km for the manual and 214 to 209g/km for the automatic.

the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

There have been countless efforts to replicate the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor from the 2000 blockbuster movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Nicolas Cage. We've seen Eleanor replicas based on everything ranging from a Toyota MR2 to even -the most ridiculous of all- a Smart Fortwo.

At this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, the students from Saitama University's automotive course presented their take on the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation (1993-2002) Toyota Supra sports coupe as a base.

The replica, which is called "Moto Supra", maintains the Supra's six-cylinder powerhouse, though it's not clear if the students performed any upgrades on the sport coupe's hardware. More photos after the jump.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

the week revolves around the 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe

With every new model launched or redesigned, comes another photos comparison. the week revolves around the 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible LCI that was unveiled yesterday and which will go on sales this Spring.

Judging by the photos and information released, the general consensus is that BMW is looking to align some of its models to the current design language, and features like “angel eyes” are starting to become standard across the line-up. LED taillights are also becoming the norm at BMW and the new 3 Series LCI comes to emphasize that.

Exterior:

Regarding the exterior of the car – BMW, like they did with the pre-LCI E92, have managed to make the E92 continue to look much more expensive than it actually is. The facelifted E92 continues to give a strong balance between prestige and performance purely in appearance alone.

Additionally, at front and rear, while the revisions appear minimal, the proof is in the details. At the business end of the 3 Series Coupe, the head lamps have grown slightly with added contours to the bottom line of the head lamp assembly. A thin “eyebrow” can now be found running along the top of each assembly which is lit by LEDs – a design cue taken straight from the E90 LCI, F01 7 Series and F10 5 Series.

Dropping just below the head lamps, the lower bumper is the most heavily modified part of the E92 LCI, losing the struts that flowed with the cut lines of the nose of the car. In its place, BMW have added a slim cut straight across the center of the lower grill, only being broken up by the area just below the larger, wider double kidney grill. Overall, the appearance of the E92 LCI now looks more succinct with the rest of the now more modern BMW line-up.

Moving to the rear of the car, the lower portion of the bumper receives a larger, purposeful crease along the valence just above the exhaust. The L-shaped tail lamps also receive a mild facelift with a more opaque cover to the LEDs when compared to the pre-LCI E92.

Additionally, the pattern of the rear lamp LEDs has two stacked sets of LEDs to provide better visibility at night while also providing a distinctly BMW look. By comparison, the LCI E92 now looks much brighter and contoured over its predecessor.

The side design goes through some changes as well, the E92 LCI features longer overhangs and subtle changes to the side skirts, giving the facelift an overall more aggressive, masculine look.



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Like the SMS 460 Mustang, the 620 Camaro is currently only in illustrated form

2010 SMS 620 Camaro - Click above for high-res image

Steve Saleen is continuing his foray into building specialty cars other than Mustangs, and after launching the production of its 570 and 570X Challenger last year, his new company, SMS Supercars, has started the new year off right by releasing the first images of the upcoming 620 Camaro.

Using the SS model with the 6.2-liter V8 as a starting platform, the SMS 620 Camaro features much of the same design elements as the Challenger including the side induction hood, five-spoke wheels, and Alcantara and leather seats. Power is increased via an SMS supercharger system that boosts the LS3 V8 to 575 horsepower and 600 pound-feet torque. Like the Challenger, an "X" model is also available that includes additional engine modifications good for 715 hp and 700 lb-ft torque as well as upgraded suspension, brakes, differential, and wheels.

Like the SMS 460 Mustang, the 620 Camaro is currently only in illustrated form, but the production version should be ready sometime in the second quarter of 2010. You can find full details in the press release after the jump.

2010 SMS 620 Camaro

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GMC Granite

GMC Granite Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motors, the folks in charge of GMC are trying to come up with a reason for the brand to exist. Until now, GMC's wares have been to Chevrolet trucks what Mercury has been Ford – same stuff different badges. Over the last decade the marketing boffins have tried to position GMC as "Industrial Grade," but it's never been entirely clear exactly what that means.

As a general rule, GMC doesn't produce concept vehicles, but at this year's Detroit Auto Show that's set to change. The GMC Granite is being badged as an "urban utility vehicle," a compact crossover that could slot in below the Terrain and give the brand something relatively unique. GM hasn't divulged what platform underpins the Granite, but it's likely to share many parts with GM's global compact (Delta II) architecture. That means this Granite will have a lot in common with the upcoming Chevy Orlando, but with a five-inch shorter wheelbase and a few other unique attributes you can read about after the jump.

GMC Granite Concept

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