Parece que depois da Mercedes segue-se a Volkswagen como marca responsável pelo desenvolvimento do carro do Papa.
A julgar pelos gostos do cardeal Ratzinger não será difícil que a marca alemã consiga mesmo o seu objectivo.
Segundo os rumores o carro deverá estar pronto para o “Katholischen Weltjugendtag” (Dia Mundial da Juventude) em Colónia na Alemanha já no próximo Agosto.
Alguns dos veículos anteriores:
Even at first glance, the Carlsson CK55 holds out the promise of pure luxury coupled with great muscle. And it lives up to expectations by combining outstanding power delivery with the greatest possible comfort, impressive acceleration times and extremely agile handling. The CK 55 performance kit with 560 bhp / 412 kW at 6000 rpm lends the car Carlsson-typical characteristics. The saloon car covers the standing start to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds with acceleration only being stopped by the electronic limiter at a top speed of 320 km/h. The torque produced by this power plant is a mighty 810 Nm at 2600 rpm. To put it simply: the CK 55 offers complete and unadulterated driving pleasure.
An expressive appearance with a full sound
Less is sometimes more. On the basis of proven Carlsson styling elements, a few but effective modifications to the aerodynamics of the CK 55 are sufficient to lend the car an even more dynamic and sporting look. The Carlsson RS front-spoiler lip continues the lines of the CLS 55 AMG harmoniously and ? without being blatant ? attracts a host of enthusiastic glances. Thanks to a reduction in lift, the driver profits from improved handling: a major benefit with such a powerful car.
The Carlsson sports rear silencer with four tail pipes dominates the back view. Given that a correctly tuned exhaust system is essential for increased engine performance, Carlsson sports rear silencers are optimised in comparison with the standard version in terms of backpressure and pipe run, which results in greater torque and a higher power output. The systems are made entirely of stainless steel and distinguished by first-class workmanship, which leads to a considerably longer service life. The design of the tailpipes also has a practical benefit: they are double-walled, i.e., not only thermally insulated but also more aerodynamic, which results in less dirt sticking to them from turbulence.
Last but not least, the CK 55 impresses with its Carlsson-typical and sonorous sporting sound that is striking without being a distraction.
Ultra Light forged wheels: extremely attractive footwear for the CLS 55 AMG
All this luxury should be combined with elegant and technically advanced wheels. The right choice here is forged wheels from the Carlsson ‘Ultra Light’ series. For the CK 55, Carlsson can supply them in the dimensions 8.5 x 20″ (front axle with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 255/30 ZR20 tyres) and 11 x 20″ (rear axle with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 305/25 ZR20 tyres). The elaborate forging process not only guarantees an impressive appearance but also offers genuine benefits: in comparison to cast 20″ wheels, these extremely light wheels ensure better handling, improved steering characteristics and, therefore, greater comfort.
Intelligent lowering: Carlsson C-Tronic SUSPENSION
The new C-Tronic? SUSPENSION supplementary control unit is used to lower the CK55 by approx. 30 mm, which results not only in a more sporting look but also less roll and, therefore, improved handling. An important component of the new C-Tronic? SUSPENSION is its intelligent electronic system that auto?matically adjusts the suspension travel on poor road surfaces and thus smoothes out irregularities of all kinds. It goes without saying that no safety standards are infringed in any way.
[b:4317e968ab]Elegant ambience inside[/b:4317e968ab]
Only those who feel comfortable in their surroundings can expect to arrive fully relaxed. For the CK55, too, Carlsson offers an exclusive range of interior appointments from which the customer can choose to suit his or her individual taste. Characteristic of all fittings are the close links between comfort, ergonomics and aesthetics. The combination of high-quality Carlsson leather and Alcantara in anthracite with rhombus quilting gives the CK55 an independent character. To match the upholstery, the standard trim parts are finished in black piano varnish. And, thanks to the ergonomically designed Carlsson sports steering wheel with its Alcantara covering, the driver has a secure and comfortable grip on the CK 55 at all times (cool in the summer, warm in the winter).
Fotos espia do futuro Micra CC.
Primeiras fotos espia do novo Opel Frontera.
As semelhanças com o Chevrolet S3X Concept são perceptíveis….
A conceituada consultora JD Power já revelou o relatório deste ano que avalia a satisfação dos clientes ingleses. Este estudo é bastante objectivo e mais pormenores sobre a maneira como é conduzido podem ser encontrados no site da JD Power.
O primeiro lugar continua a ser ocupado pela Lexus. Novidade mesmo é o excelente resultado da Skoda que se assume este ano como a primeira marca europeia ao contrário do ano anterior onde esse lugar coube à BMW. A Mercedes-Benz é que continua pelas ruas da amargura….
A pontuação:
When we accepted BMW’s kind invitation to attend a launch in Spain, and, to ensure we had enough time with the car, drive it back to Britain, I really should have looked up Jerez in an atlas. Jerez de la Frontera (to give it its full name) is located a mere stone’s throw from the Straits of Gibraltar on the southern-most tip of Spain. So essentially we agreed to drive the length of Spain, then the length of France before a quick train ride under the English Channel and a relatively short jaunt from Dover to home in Stamford. Did I mention that we needed to be back by Sunday lunchtime, with a departure of Saturday morning? (…)
(from GM Press Release)
Cadillac today announced plans to build a Star Black Limited Edition XLR, a special collectors? vehicle for the upcoming model year. As production begins this summer on the 2006 convertible roadster, 250 of the first cars will become part of the series, with each vehicle sill plate numbered to identify its place in the collection. The Limited Edition vehicle will be on display during the New York Auto Show, which runs through April 3.
The Star Black Limited Edition XLR will boast features available only on the special model. In addition to the standard features found on the current XLR, this version will be equipped with 18-inch polished chrome wheels and a special metallic paint finish called Star Black.
This black color variant, available only on the Limited Edition, is mixed with a Crystal Silver Xirallic flake. The advantages of this flake, made of aluminum oxide crystals and coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2), are that they are cleaner and more pure then other types of metallic flakes. The Xirallic flake is ideal for reflecting a uniform sparkle when viewed in the sunlight.
?The Star Black Edition is a dynamic example of how we will continue to keep the product fresh while remaining true to the Cadillac brand,? said John Howell, Cadillac?s product director. ?Like the Neiman Marcus XLR in 2003, we expect this edition to be a success.?
The XLR, first introduced as a 2004 model, is built at the J.D. Power quality award-winning Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Bowling Green , Ky. The two-seater with a retractable hardtop includes a Northstar 4.6L V-8 VVT engine in a rear-wheel drive configuration. The car is also equipped with Magnetic Ride Control, StabiliTrak, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, keyless access with push-button start, DVD navigation, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, a Bose premium sound system and heated and cooled seats.
Now it’s for real! Only a week after Auto Express exclusively drove the concept version of SEAT’s new Leon, the Spanish firm has released these pictures of the production car set to debut at next month’s Barcelona Motor Show.
And as you can see, the roadgoing model is virtually identical to the Prototipo which wowed crowds at March’s Geneva event. Thankfully, its designers have maintained the hatchback’s neat proportions and flowing curves, sacrificing few of the show car’s sharp edges and neat creases. The only things that are missing are the Prototipo’s centrally mounted exhaust and the deep bumpers with swanky honeycomb mesh.
But to emphasise its sporty nature, the production Leon has Alfa Romeo-style rear handles incorporated in the C-pillar. These give the practical five-door a racy three-door appearance. Sharing its underpinnings with VW’s Golf, the Leon is likely to offer entertaining handling. The suspension will be set up for keen drivers, as befits SEAT’s sporty brand image.
Four engines will be available from launch: a 1.6-litre petrol, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI units and a 150bhp 2.0 FSI. Traction control, ABS and the latest generation of ESP are among the active safety systems. Inside the cabin six airbags will come as standard, with rear side bags an option.
(…)the two-door, two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Blazer sport utility vehicle was cited as having the highest rate of driver death from 2000 through 2003, according to a study just released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. There were 308 driver deaths per million registered years during the four-year span between 1999 and 2002(…)
(…) The Blazer also had the highest rollover death rate at 251 deaths per million registered years. (…)
A cultura americana tem destas coisas. Suv’s de 2 toneladas por todo o lado parece que qt maior melhor….enfim.
A Porsche confirmou a sua entrada na Le Mans Series Americana que partilha o regulamento técnico com a prova fancesa.
Será o warm up para o regresso à mítica prova de resistência?
A última vez que a Porsche ganhou Le Mans foi em 1998 com um Porsche GT1.