BMW X6 2012

 BMW is not too secretive appearance changes on the new BMW X6 SUV variant 2012.

Recent photos from the 2012 X6 is shown being tested in Europe. Virtually any change can be seen on the front face with more slanting headlamp and grille are slightly rounded. Part bumper has a grille on the left and right, or under lights.

The back of the car also looks sexy, where there are two exhaust on the left and right. Seen sloping rear glass and rear lights also changed the design.

 

This car will reportedly have a new diesel engine capital tri-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder. With a capacity capable of producing 350 PS (258 kW / 345 hp) hinga 400 PS (294 kW / 395 hp).

Facelift 2012 BMW X6 will make its debut next year.

Gemballa Ventures Into Motorsports with McLaren MP4-12C GT

German based tuner Gemballa is known first and foremost for the personalisation of Porsche cars, something it has been doing for 30 years with notable examples including the Avalanche, based on the Porsche 911, the Tornado, based on the Cayenne, and the Mirage GT, based on the Porsche Carrera GT.

Now, the famous tuning company is venturing into motorsports with its newly formed racing division headed by Gemballa Supervisory Board director, Marco Marquardt.

Surprisingly, Gemballa Racing won't be using a Porsche for its motorsport debut as the company announced today that the new team will enter two McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars in the 2012 motorsport season.

Team owner and GEMBALLA investor, Steffen Korbach explained: “We chose the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 because we think this car has the potential to be one of the season’s leaders. We have also put together a team of drivers and mechanics who are proven winners. Racing is in our blood! We want to win!”

The Gemballa Racing team will be managed by Sascha Bert, a former German kart champion, Formula 3 and FIA GT driver, who has stood on the winners' podium at the Nürburgring VLN 24-hour race amongst others. “Sascha Bert is an absolute pro, and is ideally qualified to manage our new racing team," said Korbach.

Gemballa's GT3 racecar is based on the recently launched McLaren MP4-12C supercar featuring a 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, bespoke racing gearbox, carbon safety cell, race front splitter, large fixed rear wing, optimised air vents at the front and a racing diffuser at the rear.

The German company said it will released more details on on the GEMBALLA racing team, its partners and sponsors at a later date.

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Mazda Minagi Concept

The Mazda Minagi concept car embodies Mazda's new SkyActiv technologies and new KODO design language, signaling the way for the next generation of Mazda cars to come.
The Mazda Minagi concept makes its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as the expression of Mazda's new SkyActiv technologies and new KODO design language. It is the first model which showcases characteristics likely to be seen in the next generation of Mazda cars.
For this reason, Mazda has fully incorporated its SkyActiv technologies into every aspect of driving performance, including the powertrain, chassis, and even body design. As the second concept vehicle to incorporate Mazda's new 'KODO - Soul of Motion' design language, Minagi challenges conventions with emotional design and exhilarating performance.

While Shinari was a pure design concept to express the full potential of KODO design, Mazda Minagi gives a glimpse of the next generation of products to come. As the second concept car to adopt Mazda's KODO design theme, Minagi's design elements combine the expression of energy pulsing throughout the vehicle with the keen agility to move about freely and nimbly. With its upright, compact packaging, Mazda Minagi offers a vision of KODO design that is different to Shinari, yet it shares the same sinuous, powerful stance.
"I wanted to convey something different from the Mazda Shinari. I felt a compact crossover SUV was the perfect vehicle to express agility and focused movement; the flexibility of four limbs moving in unison, and an upright posture."

Ferrari Gives Up on 2011 Championship to Prepare Next Year’s Car

Truth to be said, Scuderia Ferrari had a bad start in the F1 season this year. Nevertheless, changes to the personnel and, more importantly, to the Ferrari F1 car's aerodynamic package gradually improved its pace considerably, yielding a win in Great Britain and four podium finishes for Fernando Alonso.
But even with Felippe Massa saying that nothing's over and Luca di Montezemolo claiming that he expects more wins in 2011, team principal Stefano Domenicali revealed to the Telegraph that the Scuderia will stop developing this year’s car in September.
From this point on, Ferrari will concentrate all of its resources on next year’s car. And, given Red Bull’s huge points advantage, no one can really blame them.
“OK, if you have to do some fine tuning you can do it. But otherwise you will lose a lot of time on development of the new car. The more time we can spend on the wind tunnel the better” said Domenicali. “What I really want to avoid is another difficult winter like the last two years," he added.

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Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4

By launching the world's first diesel full hybrid vehicle - the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid 4 - Peugeot will be writing a new chapter in motoring history. The combination of a fuel efficient 2.0 litre 163 bhp HDi diesel engine and a 37 bhp electric motor is the optimal combination for a hybrid vehicle. Unlike previous hybrid vehicles which have chosen to use a less fuel efficient petrol engine, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4's diesel engine provides superior Combined Drive Cycle fuel consumption of 74.4mpg, and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
The use of diesel hybrid technology also brings a range of other benefits:

• High performance combined with excellent driveability


• Freedom and simplicity of use with the possibility of choosing four different operating modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), Four-wheel drive, Auto and Sport


• Silent operation, when driving in electric only mode


• Peace of mind offered by the safety inherent in a four-wheel drive vehicle


• Environmental friendliness with CO2 emissions from 99g/km

The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 is designed to appeal to demanding, technophile customers who are in search of a rewarding and original vehicle.

In terms of performance, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 benefits from the combined power of the HDi diesel engine and electric motor during acceleration and when an immediate surge of power is required (the "boost" function). The maximum combined power output is 200 bhp, 163 bhp from the 2.0 litre HDi FAP diesel engine and 37 bhp from the electric motor. A maximum torque of 500 Nm is available, split with 300Nm at the front from the HDi diesel engine and 200 Nm at the rear generated by the electric motor.

Ferrari's Montezemolo Expects More Wins this Season

Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, has stated that he expects the Scuderia to win more races this season. And this despite the fact that in the 11 first races of the year they have won only once, with Fernando Alonso in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Alonso lies fourth at the Drivers’ championship and his teammate Fernando Massa sixth, trailing championship leader Sebastian Vettel by 89 and 164 points respectively with just eight races remaining. In the Constructors’ championship, Ferrari is in third position, with 215 points, trailing Red Bull (383) and McLaren (280).
Still, di Montezemolo came out with a positive mood after a meeting with team principal Stefano Domenicali, technical director Pat Fry and engine boss Luca Marmorini:
“I can see the right spirit in the team after a very difficult start to the season. Domenicali and his crew seem very determined, concentrating on their tasks for the second part of the year which I am sure will feature Ferrari in the role of a key player. I expect we will pick up wins to add to the historically very significant victory achieved at Silverstone”.
Ferrari’s boss does have a point since the 150 Italia seems to be much more competitive after recent aerodynamic changes, with Alonso being on the podium in the five of the last six races.
No one mentioned the championship, though. This, despite the fact that everything is still possible, seems to be going the way of Red Bull –unless McLaren and Lewis Hamilton can prove them wrong. But the Scuderia is satisfied with the progress after its worst start of the year in many seasons –and can surely play a big role in deciding the championships.

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KTM Prepare New Models to 2014

Image of KTM new model for the next three years uncovered after an American dealers from taking pictures with camera phones in the middle of the presentation.

The photographs showed the model from 2012 until 2014, of which R 690 Enduro and motocross latest for the 2012 model Duke 350, Adventure Super Duke R 1090 and R 1290 as a 2013 model and Moto3 Enduro 350 and 350 for model 2014.
 

Moto3 350 which is designed fullfairing touted as a modern model that is able to replace older models such as the class 250 cc Suzuki RGV250, Aprilia RS250 and Honda NSR250.

Talk to 350cc engines, KTM seems to want to create your own category after one successful model in the market ie SX-F350.

Adventure R 1090 is prepared to take off the market saturation with a 990cc model, with reinforced Super Duke R 1290 engine which uses all-new V-Twin.

Besides the models mentioned above, there is also an electric motor like a freeride model. KTM wants to try to step far into the future where will be the future, this Austrian manufacturer plans to use off-road engine power.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Sports car manufacturer, Lamborghini is ready to make a breakthrough in September to introduce a new sports car. Lamborghini is not saying, but the news last blow that car was the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.
According to the plan, Lamborghini will introduce a super sports car mat Tuesday at the Frankfurt Motor Show which opens on September 13, as quoted from leftlanenews next Wednesday (08/03/2011).

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento which is the production version will be introduced after the concept version shown at the auto show Paris Motor Show in 2010.
This car merupaka a very special car. For the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento using carbon fiber materials for the entire material. Sesto Elemento own name seems to refer to the number of carbon atoms of the element which is the figure 6 (Sixth Element).
By using the carbon fiber body weight of the car becomes very light which is only 999 kg. Super lightweight body is also a benefit for the speed enthusiast.
Due to the lightweight body, boost a typical malignant Lamborghini engine capable of carrying Sesto Elemento ran 0-100 km / h in just 2.5 seconds, with a maximum speed reaches 354 km / hour.

Ability is obtained from the ear of a capacity of 5.2 liter V10 engine that reportedly will strengthen the kitchen of this Italian car racing. This machine has a power of 560 horsepower.
Reportedly, this car will be produced only in very limited quantities of 20 units only. And because the specifications are almost perfectly with the amount of production very limited, it is no wonder that most likely the price of this car will greatly deplete the pockets of the millionaires. Chances are, Lamborghini Sesto Elemento be released at a price range of U.S. $ 2.9 million
When it does occur, then even this super-fast car will asked as the world's most expensive car the Bugatti Veyron to get rid of the crown which currently has it.
Because the numbers are slightly more expensive than the Bugatti Veyron's price tag is removed from the 1.45 million pounds or approximately up to 1.62 million pounds

2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

The Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA Aperta an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-bars which themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.

Thanks to the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA Aperta beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the Ferrari 599, incorporating Ferrari’s most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA Aperta is absolutely unique.
The Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA Apertas in celebration of Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.

McLaren Opens its First Two Dealerships

True to its original plan of expanding its dealer network throughout the world, McLaren Automotive today opened its first two dealerships in Germany in the cities of Düsseldorf and Hamburg just in time for the Formula 1 German Grand Prix this weekend.
These are the first dealerships to open after McLaren’s flagship showroom in London. They will be followed by two more in Munich and Frankfurt, while by the end of the year, 30 more showrooms in 19 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, South Africa, Australia and Japan will be added to the network.
Aside from the road version of the MP4-12C, every showroom will have a different competition model from McLaren’s rich racing history.
In Hamburg, the car on display will be the MP4/6 with which the late Ayrton Senna won his third, and final, Formula 1 world championship in 1991, while the Dusseldorf dealership will play host to the MP4/5 that won the 1989 title with Alain Prost.

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Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am

Italian sports carmaker Ferrari has set its eyes on the North American Grand Am series, which it plans to compete in with the new 458 Italia Grand Am that was given its track baptism today at the Fiorano circuit completing several laps in the hands of Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo.

Developed in cooperation with Michelotto Automobili, the racing model is based on the European GT3 version of the 458 Italia but features less efficient aerodynamics as well as a detuned V8 delivering 500-horses due to the different regulations in the American series.
In addition, the Grand Am sports a modified braking system, as the car has neither ABS nor traction control.
Other differences compared to the GT3 include the strengthened roll-over bar to deal with the more frequent collisions in the American series, while the car is also fitted with Continental tires, the sole supplier to the series.

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Über Rare Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion

It might not be the prettiest Porsche to look at, but the 911 GT1 Straßenversion is without doubt one of the most rare and radical street legal 911s ever to leave the Stuttgart firm’s factory.
You see, the 911 GT1 Straßenversion is the fully road-legal version of Porsche’s 1997 GT1 race car, While based on the 993, it features many modifications including a bespoke carbon-fiber body made to improve aerodynamics and lower the car's weight, and a detuned version of the competition model’s turbocharged flat-six engine delivering some 540 horses.
And now, one of the very few examples that were built to homologate Porsche's 911 GT1 contender in the late 1990s (Porsche is said to have built around 20 cars) is up for sale on a German site with an asking price of €1.2 million or about US$1.7 million.
Notably, the seller says the car is located in Tokyo, Japan, but will deliver anywhere, and that the car’s engine is rated at 700-horses.

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Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition

Chevrolet Camaro, America's most popular sports car, extends its momentum with enhancements for the 2012 model year. Highlights include an improved version of its standard 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine, a new FE4 performance suspension package for SS coupes and several interior and technology improvements, such as a revised instrument panel design, new steering wheel and rear camera system.
The enhancements arrive in time for Camaro's 45th birthday, which will be celebrated with the release of the Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition. Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional unique design elements, inside and out.

"The appeal of Camaro design and performance has powered it to the top of its segment," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "For 2012, we're capitalizing on that momentum with enhancements to Camaro's performance and comfort."
Also coming in early 2012 is the high-performance Camaro ZL1, the most technologically advanced car ever developed in its segment.
Class-leading 3.6L V-6 engine
Camaro's new 3.6L direct injection V-6 - the LFX engine - goes into production in the summer of 2011. It delivers an SAE-certified 323 horsepower (241 kW) at 6,800 rpm - an increase of 11 horsepower (8 kW) over the 2011 engine, with no compromise in fuel economy.

BMW M3 Coupe Racer Concept

New DTM racing cars are like public transportation: you wait for ages and then , all of a sudden, three or four buses appear at the same time. Just yesterday we posted Audi’s new entry into the German Touring Car Championshipor, as it’s more commonly known, DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters). Today, BMW pulled the wraps off its new own DTM racer based on the coupe version of M3.

And mind you, unlike Audi, BMW revealed the M3 in the flesh clad in carbon fiber and looking quite menacing with its matte paint, flared wheel arches and aerodynamic package.

This isn’t the final form of the racer as BMW Motorsport’s engineers will hone it for its 2012 premiere. Set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, it is powered by a 480HP V8 built according to the racing series’ new regulations.

This is the first time that BMW will officially participate in the DTM series since its departure in 1994.

“The DTM comeback sees BMW return to its roots” said member of the board Dr. Klaus Draeger. “We will be facing our main competitors in the premium sector and we are looking forward to this challenge. We have enjoyed great success in the past, and I am convinced we will follow on in 2012 where we left off”.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen commented:

"The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development."

Now we’ll have to wait for Mercedes’ competitor which will, more than likely, be based on the brand new C-Class Coupe. This three-way battle between the German premium automakers’ pumped-up coupes should be quite interesting to watch.

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New Audi A5 Coupe DTM Racing Concept

Get excited DTM fans because there’s a new kid coming to town. We’re talking about Audi’s freshly revealed A5 Coupe racecar, internally named “R17,” that will replace the four-door A4 with which Audi has conquered the DTM title four times since 2004.

Ingolstadt’s new touring model is based on the facelifted A5 Coupe that was presented earlier this week and it complies with the new technical and safety regulations that will come in effect in the German touring model championship next year.

The new Audi A5 DTM sports a high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque combined with a steel tube cage. The racing model adopts the current A4 DTM’s V8 engine with some minor changes and an output or around 460-horses. A six-speed transmission will continue to be used as well.

For now, Audi has shared a trio of renderings of the A5 DTM but we’ll get the chance to see the real thing at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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