Renault launches Laguna teaser website

Renault just opened up its teaser website of the third-generation Laguna mid-size, set to debut at Frankfurt this September. The countdown has been set to 40 days from now, in which the new Laguna III will be unveiled officially. Renault released a teaser video of a car spy snapping pics of a camouflaged Laguna mule testing, and a set of interior images.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

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Spied- 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan facelift scooped sans disguise

Now, we really think Saab's on a break lately. Only recently, we provided you with shots of the Convertible variant of the 9-3 facelift roaming around in public streets. Shots of the Convertible with no tapes emerged before that, and we've already seen plenty shots of the SportCombi facelift sans disguise. However, it's the first time we bring you undisguised shots of the Sedan variant undergoing testing courtesy of SaabTurboClub.

The new Saab will host many different changes other than the new front-end, including an upgraded audio system, adaptive Xenon headlights, a boosted 255hp engine for the Aero trim, and black leather interior replacing the gray leather option. Saab hopes the new changes made will bost the slowing sales of the 9-3 in the US.

[Source: LLN]

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Jeep unveils Compass Rallye Package from Mopar for the US

Jeep launched the Compass in the UK recently, only to find out the only trim available was the Rallye package that cued the Compass Rallye Concept shown in Frankfurt. Mopar introduced a new Rallye package for the Compass in the US that follows its British counterpart. It's nothing to get excited though as changes are strictly visual, with no modifications under the hood.

The Rallye package is available in both 4x2 and 4x2 variants and prices vary for each trim: $1985 (Sport) and $1850 (Limited). Modifications include black-painted 18" aluminum wheels, roof-mounted rear spoiler, auxiliary driving lights up front, Mopar body kit which modifies the front bumper and side rocker panels, and of course, the shiny Rallye package badges.

[Source: Autoblog via Jeep]

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PRESS RELEASE:

New Rallye Package from Mopar® Is Available for 2007 Jeep® Compass

* Rallye Package outfits Jeep® Compass from head to toe with cool exterior accents
* Mopar® Body kit adds Rallye car toughness to athletic Jeep Compass styling
* Rallye Package available on Jeep Compass models sold in United States and international markets

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 3, 2007 -

The Jeep® brand continues its expansion into new territory and into the world of rallye car toughness with a new body kit from Mopar®. For a limited time, a new Rallye Package featuring Authentic Jeep Accessories from Mopar will be available for both 4x2 and 4x4 2007 Jeep Compass and Jeep Compass Limited models. Mopar is the Chrysler Group's original equipment parts manufacturer.

Arriving in U.S. and international markets in late 2006, the Jeep Compass is an all-new compact sport-utility vehicle that combines classic Jeep cues with contemporary lines. The Mopar Rallye Package takes this sleek style another step, wrapping Jeep Compass' modern design in an aggressive toughness.

"The Rallye Package from Mopar enhances the sleek, sophisticated and expressive styling and appearance of the Jeep Compass," said John Plecha, Director – Jeep Marketing and Global Communications. "It embellishes its modern Jeep appeal and gives the Compass a character all its own."

The Jeep Compass Rallye Package – available in Black, Silver, Inferno Red, Jeep Green and Steel Blue – includes:

* Unique 18-inch x 7-inch black-painted aluminum wheels with machined edges and chrome center caps
* Roof-mounted rear spoiler that adds performance-oriented styling
* Auxiliary driving lights with covers that feature the Jeep logo
* Bright exhaust tips that reinforce the Compass' forceful personality
* Chrome Rallye badge
* Mopar body kit featuring front and rear fascia overlay appliqués, lower honeycomb front fascia grille and side sill lower panels and door appliqués

The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Jeep Compass Rallye Package is $1,985 (Sport) and $1,850 (Limited). Limited production began in April for the United States and international markets. Pre-orders are being taken now.

The Jeep Compass Rallye edition debuted as a concept vehicle at the 2006 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Jeep Compass competes in the compact sport-utility segment, which is expected to grow considerably in the next decade, giving the Jeep brand the opportunity to grow with it. Annual compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2006 calendar year was 520,045 units, up 34 percent from 387,828 units in 2005. The compact SUV segment is expected to continue to grow to 814,000 units by 2016. This is a great opportunity for the Jeep brand to attract new buyers who want a stylish, fuel-efficient, affordable, safe and capable SUV.

Authentic Jeep Accessories from Mopar are available for purchase and installation at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships across the United States. Mopar accessories are covered under DaimlerChrysler's 3-year/36,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty or Mopar's 12-month/12,000-mile Limited Warranty, whichever is more favorable to the customer. These warranties are serviced by Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships. More information is available at www.mopar.com.

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Autodelta's Alfa GT producing 405bhp

Autodelta, a London-based tuner, will be unveiling a high-performance version of the Alfa GT coupe at the Brooklands Italian car fair this weekend. The Autodelta GT 3.7 Super is equipped with a 3.7L 405bhp engine, which is an enlarged tune-up from the stock 3.2L V6 by a Rotrex C38-81 centrifugal supercharger. The car will be also fitted with a new radiator, oil cooler, and custom exhausts with quad chrome-tipped tailpipes. Its visual aspect won't change much from the stock version, save for a new bumper and a set of 19" OZ Racing wheels.

[Source: Autoblog]

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PRESS RELEASE:

Autodelta will race into Brooklands this week with the new 405 bhp Autodelta GT 3.7 Super

Following a successful 2006 programme, Auto Italia magazine is set to kick off its 2007 events with the always-popular Spring Italian Car Day at the Brooklands Museum, Surrey, on Saturday 5th May. London-based aftermarket design and tuning house Autodelta has always been committed to supporting Auto Italia events and so we will be present at this Saturday's Italian car extravaganza with a brand new bespoke model to lead out our comprehensive line-up, as well as offering information on the Autodelta European Tour 2007.

Autodelta is pleased to present for its première, at Brooklands, the most dynamic and powerful version of the Alfa GT Coupé yet – the 405 bhp supercharged Autodelta GT 3.7 Super. This car builds on the market success of the 320 bhp GT 3.2 Super (2004) and the 341 bhp GT 3.2 Super Evo version (2005), by pushing the Alfa V6 engine and chassis package to even more extreme performance levels – achieved without compromising practicality and drivability. The new car sees the 3.2-litre engine's capacity increased to 3.7-litre, coupled to the addition on the space-efficient Rotrex C38-81 centrifugal supercharger. The result is maximum power of 405 bhp and 375 lb/ft of torque.

The Autodelta range at Brooklands will also feature the 'jewel in the crown' – the new 348 bhp supercharged Autodelta Brera J5 3.2 C – a car that quite simply transforms the exciting Alfa Romeo sports car. Previewed last autumn the Brera J5 3.2 C was commercialized earlier this spring and demand for this potent conversion programme has already far exceeded our expectations. This model will be joined at the event by the Autodelta GT 3.2 Super, 147 GTA AM 3.2 Super and 147 GTA AM 3.7 Super. Finally the supercharged Autodelta 146 2.0, which recently won the 'Chairman's Choice' award at the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club Spring Day, will complete the line-up.

The Autodelta team, including Managing Director Jano Djelalian and General Manager Andrew Smith, will be on hand to explain in detail all our models and offer advice; as well as introducing the Autodelta European Tour 2007, for which some places still remain. (Auto Italia is also an 'Official Partner' of the Tour). We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

With its dramatic surroundings this event is always very popular, and new for this year visitors will be able to savour a superb new feature: now you can experience the excitement of the challenging new Mercedes-Benz World test track...in your own car! This will be the first time that the public will have the opportunity to enjoy this thrilling new circuit in their own cars. The acclaimed track is part of this exciting new state-of-the-art automotive complex that is set to enhance the Brooklands 'experience'.

This new feature will compliment the long running and highly popular runs up the historic Brooklands "Test Hill", still one of the few places in the UK where you can see and hear exotic cars in action at very close quarters. Enjoy the roar of a classic Ferrari V12 or high revving Abarth as the cars prepare for the short 1 in 4 sprint.

The combination of car demonstrations, club displays, aviation exhibits (including Concorde) and motoring exhibitions, and of course the Italian trade village makes this a great family day out. Also – and special for this year – will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fiat 500. For more information on Spring Italian Car Day please visit www.auto-italia.co.uk or www.brooklandsmuseum.co.uk.

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Hyundai considering Veloster production

Hyundai is seriously considering production of its Veloster 2+2 Concept shown in Seoul this year. According to Hyundai's product planning director, Wayne Killen, the Veloster is currently being studied in Los Angeles. Hyundai is putting Generation-Y buyers in mind for this product.

The production car is expected to be watered down from the concept, losing its 20" wheels and a massive sunroof. The Veloster is a combination of roadster and hatchback, which is an appealing formula for young buyers.

Even though we knew it all along and had some spyshots to accompany it, Killen also confirmed a production Genesis RWD V8 sedan. Killen stated that it will be a key halo product, but said there's always room for one more.

[Source: LLN]

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Mercedes-Benz drops the top on the SLR McLaren

Car and Driver recently posted some blurry spyshots of the Roadster variant of the SLR McLaren. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the SLR McLaren Roadster today, which will become one of world's fastest open-top convertibles in production. The Roadster will not receive the 722 Edition's 650hp engine, but rather, it will benefit from the standard 617hp V8. The roof of the Roadster is made of carbon fiber to ensure the least weight as possible.

The drop-top has a maximum speed of 207mph, which will maximize the experience of the wind blowing your hair. Mercedes-Benz will offer three different colors for the top, and claims the driver and passenger can have a normal conversation at 125mph with the top down. To bring it up, the roof has to be manually unlatched, pushed upwards, and the motor will bring it up in a mere 10 seconds.

Only 1000 of these beauties will be available and deliveries will take effect starting from September. The pricing will start at around £350K.

[Source: Autoblog]

Continued- Hi-res image gallery, official press release



PRESS RELEASE:

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster: An open-air adventure for all the senses

Stuttgart, May 04, 2007

Mercedes-Benz will in future also market its SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster with a top. In common with Formula 1 vehicles of today, it, too, will be made of carbon fibre, a material that will endow the vehicle with a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional stiffness at the same high level as the coupé version. This gives rise, in combination with the racing-type chassis, to outstanding ride characteristics.

The maximum speed of the new high-performance sports car, which is powered by an AMG V8 compressor engine delivering 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h, therefore at the same high level as the coupé. Although, thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use. Consequently, the new Roadster opens up a new dimension in refinement for open-top super sports cars.

Like the coupé version, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster once again unites the legend of the successful SLR racing models from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes team. Typical stylistic elements, such as the arrow-shaped tip of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, establish a visual link with the racing cars. The SLR leg-end of the 50s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gullwing doors.

The new Roadster benefits technically from the many years of experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the Roadster, complex carbon-fibre technology has been intelligently further developed for the monocoque chassis. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and, therefore, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional stiffness hitherto unattained in open-top vehicles. This leads to outstanding ride characteristics of the kind otherwise found only in closed-top super sports cars.

The puristic top is suitable for high speeds

The exceptional qualities of the Roadster are attributable also to the fully retractable top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the SLR McLaren. Its newly developed roof material, which is available in three different colours, not only guarantees complete suitability for everyday use in all weathers, but also endows the high-performance sports car with characteristics that are exception-ally unusual in a roadster. For example, at 332 km/h, the maximum speed is at the high level of the coupé version. Conversation is still possible at well over 200 km/h on open-air journeys thanks to the favourable aeroacoustics.

The roof opens and closes semi-automatically in less than ten seconds, thereby combining the desire for convenience with the puristic character of the roadster. To open, the roof merely needs to be unlocked from the windscreen frame and be briefly raised, after which it folds away electrically. Since an aluminium cover is integrated into its front section, the roof elegantly closes off the top when re-tracted.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and racing-type chassis

In the wind tunnel, the Roadster has been optimised for high speeds with regard to handling, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. It likewise employs the aerodynamic concept already known from the coupé version, featuring an airbrake integrated into the access lid and a diffusor in the rear bumper to provide increased downforce on the rear axle.

The open two-seater is equipped with a racing-type chassis featuring high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs, thereby setting extremely high stan-dards. Its front-mid-engine provides for optimum weight distribution. With 460 kW/626 hp and a maximum torque of 780 Nm, the AMG V8 compressor engine, which is coupled to an AMG Speedshift R five-speed automatic transmission, accelerates the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Unique safety and exclusive fittings

A high degree of safety is ensured by unique carbon-fibre crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. The comprehensive specification also features adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tensioners and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The exclusive standard equipment includes semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fibre bucket seats which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger by means of differently sized seat pads; dual-zone automatic air-conditioning; a high-quality BOSE premium sound system; a multifunction sport steering wheel with gear-change paddles, and a navigation system with integral radio and CD player.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster, like the coupé, is produced at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England, in accordance with stringent Mercedes-Benz quality criteria and will be available as from September 2007.

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Buick/GMC/Pontiac chief leaving GM

GM announced that John Larson, the general manager of Buick, Pontiac, and GMC will leave the company as soon as May 12. A Pontiac executive stated, "His future plans will be outside of the auto industry." Larson worked at GM for 21 years. His successor has not been chosen as of now.

Last month, Buick general manager Steve Shannon moved to Saab, and Larson took the duties of Buick. Katherine Benoit was the executive director of Buick/Pontiac/GMC at that time. Buick's sales have plummeted 41% over the decade since.

[Source: Edmunds]

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