January 20, 2007
Bad news. Editorials are held off for the time being because I don’t have time to write the editorials, rather, I’m still in the process of finding a good writer to help develop this section. I found one writer, but apparently I’m not allowed to modify his words or whatever.
But hey, if you’re interested and you want to earn some nice hard cash, why don’t you shoot me an e-mail using the contact form attached with samples of your work and I will consider your services.
January 18, 2007
As part of the Michelin Challenge Design contest at the NAIAS, is part of Volvo’s concept study of a new truck. The BeeVan concept puts the driver in the truck’s cab, rather than the traditional driving position, which Volvo believes that this will allow drivers to have a full 180 degrees of visibility. And to help with blind spots, it will incorporate Volvo’s blind spot camera technology. There are numerous gadgets on the BeeVan concept including lane tracking, parking sensors as well as driver drowsiness sensors.
The doors are sliding operated and there are hidden steps which automatically slide out. The steps automatically retract when not in use and when you open the door, the driver’s seat will move rearward and rotate for easy access.
What’s most interesting, of course, is the exterior design of the interesting concept. Cool? Or a spaceship? You tell me.
Enjoy looking at the new Audi R8 super sportscar? Well, so do I. That’s why I’ve updated the Audi R8 high resolution gallery with 100 fresh new images available for your desktop as part of today’s mini update. The images all include widescreen wallpaper support. And if you want to see it in action, check out the video I’ve attached below.
What’s to come? This week, I’ll be updating the Lamborghini Murcielago section as requested by a user from the forums. As well as adding high resolution images of the all new redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class. So stay tuned!
January 17, 2007
Well known for its versatility, Volvo has announced that they will not enter the minivan market, but instead, they will focus on wagons and crossover with the introduction of the XC60 crossover vehicle in early 2009. But it doesn’t stop there, Volvo executives also noted that they will be re-examining the existing lineup including the V50, V70, XC70, XC90, as well as the XC60.
Vehicles such as the V90 and the XC60 will be used as a basis for Volvo’s future model range, which will consist mostly of the V or the XC models. Adding to the negativity of the minivan segment, Volvo announced that the XC90 is the seven-seater alternative. This should be a good idea since Volvo wagons and crossovers were considered for half of Volvo’s total sales in 2006.
Honda announced on Wednesday that it will be recalling at least 81,000 Accord sedans in the 2004 to 2005 model year. The recall consists of an airbag sensor which could possibly fail due to improper wiring harness for the seat position sensors, which was to detect the driver’s seating position and adjust the airbag inflation pressure accordingly.
The failed sensor could break and cause the airbag to be deflated at full inflation pressure, which could cause serious injuries to the smaller drivers in the event of a frontal crash. Although no injuries or incidents have been reported, the recall is expected to begin from early February and dealers will replace the wiring. Sounds fun.
January 16, 2007
According to a recent study, the amount of aluminum used in new European cars have risen over these past few years. Starting with 50kg of aluminum in 1990, that number has increased to 132kg in 2005 and is expected to grow by another 25kg by 2010. Why aluminum? Aluminum is light, which allows the vehicle to save weight with a total fuel saving of 1 billion liters each year, as well as decreasing CO2 emissions.
The study focused on different aluminum semi-materials including the car components to the exterior sheets. Conducted by Knibb, Gormezano & Partners with the European Aluminum Association and was based off 15 million cars produced in Europe in 2005. Up until today, aluminum is being applied everywhere in the automotive industry to improve safety and performance, also, we can see from the new Jaguar XK-Type, the new aluminum body symbolizes a new era of design.
January 15, 2007
Chairman of General Motor’s Bob Lutz noted recently that it’d be nice to see a Cadillac and Saab vehicle added to the fast-changing crossover market. Currently, GM has three crossovers based on the Lambda structure, which are the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave.
The new Cadillac crossover would ultimately replace the current SRX model and built off the same platform as the upcoming CTS sedan, allowing the new Cadillac to have car-like characteristics with the functionalities of a SUV. We’ll likely see the new crossover sometime in the next 3 years.
January 14, 2007
So why do Americans build bad cars? Is it because we have no taste in cars or is it because we have no originality? Jeremy Clarkson explains in the video above that Americans build bad cars because they have no aggression in their driving and they have no sense of time and competition. While some of that of what he said is true, not all facts that he stated are agree-able. Continue reading for my little thoughts and some comparison notes against major Japanese and German competitors.
I came across these pics while browsing the forums and boy, is this the scariest accident ever. Just look at where the railings were broken, the car must’ve flown through the air and landed in the direction it is in. So why exactly was this accident scary? Click below for the complete image and you’ll know why. Drive safe, kids, or you’ll end up like this and you might not be so lucky. 
Studies have shown that the average Jaguar shopper is around 65 years old, which is 5 years up from last year’s average age, which was 60. Jaguar earned the honor of having the oldest shoppers in the fourth quarter of 2006 according to a survey done by CNW Research, who conducts surveys of the automotive shoppers according to the dealership traffic. Lincoln held the position for the past three years and has now dropped third, while Mercedes-Benz finishes at second with an average age of 64.
Who has the youngest shoppers of them all? Kia, with an average age of 34.
Many reports earlier in October claimed that the TVR brand wasn’t going to go bankrupt after all. Called the “Typhoon”, the supercar is expected to be unveiled at March’s Geneva Motor Show packed with a tuned 6-cylinder 4.0-Liter engine that comes with at least 600BHP. And above you will see is the possible rendering of the Typhoon.
As reported earlier, only 60 of these limited edition Typhoons will be built and has a 0-100km/h time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 320km/h. Surrounding the exterior are carbon-fibre body panels as well as the floor. Pricing is expected to start around �120,000 (yikes). We’ll know more information near the end of this month.
Whew, that was a tough week. I’ve been trying to get together all the wallpapers of the vehicles showcased at the Detroit Auto Show last week (aka: stress!) and I am glad to say that it is finally done in full high resolution including support for widescreen monitors. Some honorable mention vehicles include the new Cadillac CTS as well as the new Lexus IS-F. Next week’s plans? I’ll be working on those huge lists of requests people stated in the forums. 
Anyways, you can just click the image above to browse through the complete gallery. And stay tuned for more wallpapers, I’m doing my best to update them!
So the Dodge Viper SRT10 wow’ed everyone at the Detroit Auto Show just last week with its near 600 horsepower engine, it appears that the Chevy Corvette wants in on the game as well. According to sources, General Motors is planning on a Viper SRT10 rival. General Motors chairman Bob Lutz noted that it wasn’t going to let the Dodge Viper hold the title as the most powerful American sports car, yet adding that the information of future products is strictly confidential, stated in a current interview.
We can confirm this report since spy images of a Corvette test vehicle with an unique hood scoop have been caught just recently, which is a clue that Chevrolet is adding more horsepowers to its current Corvette lineup, which is currently just above 500 horsepowers. Our guess is that the new Corvette will boast at least 600 or more horsepowers, which is similar to that of the Viper SRT10.
January 7, 2007
Above is the introductory video to the unveil of the new minivans from Daimler Chrysler group, or officially known as “Bread and Butter” vehicles. My first initial impressions is that Chrysler seems to be heading the right direction while Dodge isn’t. Both of the minivans sport an appearance that looks good when in action, but somehow, it just doesn’t appeal to me when they’re static. And from the side, it looks a bit like the Mazda MPV.
Continue reading for both of the promotional videos from Daimler Chrysler.
Enjoy this promotional video of the upcoming Hyundai Veracruz crossover vehicle. Although there are no official details of the release, we believe that new information should come in within the few days of the North American Auto Show. But for now, enjoy the video of the Veracruz fully uncovered off-roading in the country scene.
The current information we have of the Veracruz is that it will be larger than the Honda Pilot and will have more cargo room than the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Inside, it will offer seating for 7 passengers and have an arrangement of seating positions. Under the hood, it’s equipped with a standard 3.8-Liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Competitors to the Veracruz include the Honda Pilot, the Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca, as well as the Lexus RX350.
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