World Auto News & Reviews

The 169 is a replacement to the aging 166. It is expected to feature a rear-wheel-drive platform derived from Maserati. All this in 2009, when it will hit the market. The Alfa 169 might have the same engine as the 8C Competizione.
New Alfa Romeo 169 will be powered by new V6 fuel and diesel engines, which still are going to be developed, and by a new V8 unit, in the top version, which comes from 8C Competizione, combined with authomatic transmission.

And we have a couple of very-spy-shots ;)

sharingthelife.blogspot.com

The previous TechArt Magnum had a successful run with more than 500 units built, making it the most successful model in the tuner company’s history. Now TechArt is coming back with their latest 2008 TechArt Magnum based on the latest revision of the Porsche Cayenne.

Set to debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2008 TechArt Magnum will be based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and will produce up to 620 horsepower. The engine will allow the SUV to produce a top speed of 186 mph.

The 2008 TechArt Magnum receives many aerodynamic and design enhancements including a new front and rear apron, large air inlets, stainless steal exhaust system and a new hood that features two air outlets that optimize heat balance in the engine bay. The air suspension lowers the Cayenne by 30 millimeters.

egmcartech.com

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

The new TECHART Magnum Based on the Latest Porsche Cayenne

With more than 500 produced units the Magnum is the most successful model in the 20-year history of TECHART Automobildesign. At the Frankfurt International Auto Show IAA 2007 the new TECHART Magnum based on the latest Porsche Cayenne celebrates its world debut.

Like its predecessor the new TECHART Magnum sets itself apart with a spectacular aerodynamic-enhancement package that fits all versions of the Porsche SUV. All body components are manufactured from PUR-RIM plastic in OEM quality.

The curved TECHART fender flares add eight centimeters to the width of the Cayenne. The Magnum rocker panels provide a fluent transition between the wider wheel arches.

The new aprons for front and rear that replace their production counterparts were designed to correspond visually to the more pronounced contours of the wheel arches. The TECHART Magnum front apron lends the latest Cayenne generation an even more striking appearance. Its large air inlets feature elegantly styled slats and provide ample cooling air for radiators and front brakes. A total of four auxiliary headlights and daytime running lights improve active safety.

The TECHART Magnum rear apron with integrated diffuser reduces lift on the rear axle and provides the perfect backdrop for the TECHART stainless-steel sport exhaust system with two chrome tailpipes on either side.

The body conversion can be rounded out with moldings for front and rear lights, as well as with a new hood that features two air outlets that optimize heat balance in the engine bay.

The Magnum also features custom-tailored wheels and tires. The largest possible version features TECHART Formula II light-alloy wheels in size 10.5Jx22 in front and in size 11,5Jx22 in the rear. For optimal tires TECHART chose ContiCrossContact UHP tires in sizes 295/30 ZR 22 and 335/25 ZR 22, which are approved on the Cayenne for a top speed of 300 km/h.

These tires also make the Magnum a prime candidate for the engine tuning of the Cayenne Turbo that is currently under development and in its most powerful incarnation will produce up to 620 hp / 456 kW.

The air suspension of the Cayenne Turbo is modified with the TECHART sport module that lowers the ride height for enthusiastic on-road driving by 30 millimeters. The entire range of adjustment from the lowest ride height (loading level) to the highest (special off-road level) measures some 110 millimeters.

As Saturn begins to move up market, GM is sticking with the strategy to give it a more European influence. The first major European influence will come when GM replaces the Ion with an imported model, a rebadged Opel Astra (Opel is seen as Saturn’s European counterpart).

The 2008 Saturn Astra will go on sale at the end of the year with a price tag around $16,000. GM also wants to assemble the next-generation Astra at its Lordstown, Ohio plant for a 2009 or 2010 model year.

Saturn is putting a lot of its hope in the new Saturn Aura. Executives are hoping that the new hybrid variant helps boost sales as well as creative marketing that allows consumers to test the Aura, Camry and Accord side-by-side. No changes are planned until 2010, where the redesigned Saturn Aura will us GM’s re-engineered Epsilon2 front-wheel-drive platform. The car will also get longer and wider.

Unlike the Pontiac Solstice, which will get a coupe variant in 2009, the Saturn Sky will stick to a two-passenger roadster. The Saturn Sky will see a major redesign and will be re-engineered in the 2011 model year.

The Saturn Vue just received a new design and the Outlook will get a new redesign along with the GMC Acadia in 2010.
allworldcars.com/wordpress
egmcartech.com

F1’s governing body on Thursday announced that McLaren will not be penalised following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

A statement, however, revealed that the 26 Council members did find Ron Dennis’ outfit guilty of breaching the International Sporting Code for possessing confidential Ferrari information. “However, there is insufficient evidence that this information was used in such a way as to interfere improperly with the FIA formula one world championship,” it read.

But the FIA also said McLaren face exclusion from the 2007 and 2008 championships if it is “found in the future that the Ferrari information has been used” improperly. The statement also said alleged spies Nigel Stepney and Mike Coughlan will now be pursued by the FIA’s legal department and could be banned from international motor sport “for a lengthy period”. (GMM)

motorauthority.com

Amidst the board-room shakeups and in-flux product plans following the quasi-takeover by Porsche, a few things have nevertheless stayed on course at Volkswagen Central in Wolfsburg, Germany. One such project is the replacement for the not so new New Beetle, which is reportedly on track for a 2010 launch.

Set to share a platform with the next-generation Rabbit and upcoming Scirocco, the 2010 Beetle will once again be styled in California and engineered in Germany, according to our sources. That, however, is where the similarities will end. Despite its overall success as a revival of the iconic original design, Volkswagen is looking to move away from the “chick car” image of the New Beetle.

Designers have reportedly been ordered to create a more modern and sleek style for the next-gen Beetle that will be bigger than the outgoing model and make better use of available interior space.

The cutesy bug-eye look, rounded shape, and bulbous roofline are binned in favor of a more aggressive — and more traditional — style with a sportier stance and coupe-style roof as depicted in the drawings.

autospies.com