Paris Auto Show Teaser Video: BMW Concept X1

BMW X1 Spy Shot [Source: Motorbang.com]

Looking to generate some hype for the BMW Concept X1 that’s scheduled to premiere at the 2008 Paris Auto Show next week, BMW-web.tv uploaded video footage giving us a sneak peak of the new BMW Concept X1 that is strangely reminiscent of those 90’s-era slightly instructional videos I used to sit through in French class that always fell just short of identifying with the American teenage demographic.

At any rate, according to BMWblog, the BMW X1 will be available with either a rear- or front-wheel drivetrain, and its optional 4 or 6 cylinder engine offerings will be equipped to run on either diesel or standard fuel. Slated to make its first debut in the European market, the X1 is expected to be placed and priced somewhere between the BMW 3 Series Wagon and the BMW X3 - no word yet on how that would translate for a North American introduction.

Video after the jump

[Video Source: BMW-web.tv]

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I-Way: The Ultra Luxe MotorSport Getaway for Businessmen

Say you’re a wealthy businessman with a penchant for motorsports. Hop on a plane and hit up Lyon, France for a few nights of Formula 1 simulation, drinks, and good times.

I-Way is a posh playground for men, with a fancy bar, a gym, and most importantly, high tech Formula 1 simulators. They have 3 plasma screen displays built into the chassis of actual racing vehicles, and are fitted with tons of complicated hydraulics which gives you the feeling of actually being on the track.

Check out the video and pictures after the jump:

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Chrysler LLC Does The Electric Boogaloo

Chrysler Firepower Concept

Later this month, Chrysler will offer a preview of the three electric car prototypes it plans to produce over the course of the next decade. Currently working with battery suppliers both at home and abroad, Chrysler’s primary focus is developing an electric plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of averaging 300 miles per charge. “Fuel cells are in the future, ” said Chrysler co-president Jim Press, “but probably more in my kids’ future than my own.”

Jeep Hurricane Concept

Full Chrysler Concept Gallery After Jump

Riding high on the crest of the temporary success of the new Dodge Ram 1500, Press said Chrysler intends to continue producing fuel drinking titans like the Ram and Dakota regardless of the sales figures, and he doesn’t expect Chrysler to generate a positive cash flow for 2008. Press views the current hardships in the industry as merely temporary and with sights set firmly on the future, fully expects the market to right itself by 2010 - just in time for Chrysler’s anticipated release of 8 brand new models.

[News Source: Auto News]

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GM to Pontiac: No Firebird for You. And We are Scaling Back on the Excitement Too

With more Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealerships being unified under one roof a large number of dealers have joined the chorus in calling out for a new Firebird based off the new Camaro. Considering the three auto brands they really do not have any flashy lures of the sports car variety to bring in new blood, and nothing would chum the waters like a flashy new Firebird. But the hammer has fallen and the decision (for now. for good?) from GM is No.

The popular excuses for the failure of the Firebird to reach production are the new CAFE regulations and the cost to reach production. Reaching the new fuel mileage regulations appears to be a greater priority right now. Plus, one dealer exclaimed that the cost of getting the Firebird to production would have run around $200 million. Apparently that was all it took to keep the screaming chicken retired in its coup. (more…)

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Nissan makes it all Official with the GT-R Press Release and unveiling in Tokyo

The teasers are officially over as Nissan makes public its worse kept secret with an official Press Release and in person unveiling of the GT-R at the Tokyo Auto Show. It is almost sad to see the speculation depart like this, but it is nice to see the real thing just as Nissan intended it to be. The GT-R goes on sale in Japan on December 6th of this year and will be supported by the newly created Nissan High Performance Center. So much is riding on the GT-R that Nissan has created a maintenance group around the car.

As you will read below and may have read before the Nissan GT-R is powered by a 3.8 Liter twin-turbo V6 “VR38″. The power coming from that engine rates 473-hp and up to 433-ft. lbs of torque. Take a look at the photo gallery below for the official photos released by Nissan and after the gallery and for further details on the GT-R read from Nissan’s Official Press Release. (more…)

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Bugatti’s management considering a second, cheaper follow-up to the Veyron

For anyone fearing that the sun may set on their dream of owning a new Bugatti Veyron before they are able to build up their super car budget maybe a lesser alternative is on its way. Upper management with Bugatti and its parent company Volkswagen AG are looking to recoup more of that initial R&D investment and some alternatives could be in the works. After investing something in the US Dollar close to $500 million to build and design the car, and with a limited production number of 300, Bugatti is losing money on the deal. That $1.4 million window sticker, according to costs, should really be a $5 million sticker.

Bugatti has a couple options on the table and both could yield some extra return to make it all profitable. The first would be to make a limited production run of a convertible Veyron. Some more work would have to go into the design and engineering of the car to get there, but that could still help bring in more money and more buyers. The other option would be to build a second model based on the same technologies. (more…)

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Hyundai to Show i-Blue Fuel Cell Vehicle at Frankfurt Auto Show

At this years Frankfurt Auto Show that begins on September 13th Hyundai will reveal their first vehicle designed from the ground-up that was built specifically  around their fuel cell technology. The i-Blue is an electric vehicle that is fueled by Hyundai’s 3rd generation hydrogen fuel cell technology clothed in a CUV auto armor that represents the future forward thinking behind their alternative technology.

The i-Blue is a bold step toward future design and future fuels while following suit with the theme of this years Frankfurt Auto Show: “See What is Driving the Future.” Hyundai’s R&D team have developed a hydrogen fuel cell that is more compact than prior generations while building a safe, crossover-styled body around it.

Hyundai’s i-Blue is their current design that is to help transition us over the next decade toward the greener technology of hydrogen. Yet to many of us hydrogen fuel cells still seem quite a ways away from being close to taking over for the combustion engine as what motivates the majority of todays cars. Despite the advantages that Hybrids, Plug-in EV’s and alternative fuels may have by being more road ready today the exploration toward hydrogen fuel cells is still an important one.

There are two other supposedly radical designs that Hyundai is planning to reveal at the Frankfurt show. Hyundai’s Volester is said to be a roadster aimed directly at the Y-generation with what seems to be some futuristic designing cues. The i-30 Crossover Wagon is designed as the exact opposite of the Volester. With the i-30 Hyundai is returning to the 5-door hatchback model that is an important segment in the European market. More significant details and photos of all 3 of the vehicles Hyundai plans to unveil at the Frankfurt Auto Show are sure to come in the weeks ahead.

Source[topspeed, PureGreenCars]

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Two-in-One Luxury Camper allows you to take it all with you

Finally, the ultimate solution for those who are anxious to hit the American highways and want to take ALL the luxuries of home along the way. You will never need to lug that trailer again. No more rock chips or rocky handling to worry about. Just tuck your roadster or sport coupe beneath your camper and explore.

If you are a Nascar team of one on a limited budget maybe this is the new ultimate transport for you. Since that is an unlikely scenario then this all-in-one transport-camper is the ideal means to pack your Benz and see the sights.  The other alternative is to sell your house and live on the road with your own mini-garage.

To get a larger glimpse of what luxury camping is all about (besides caviar wishes, grey puopon and tacky gold leaf) take the leapto the site. While the site may not all be in English the pictures really do tell the whole story. And if you are really eager to get your hands on one of these campers and are looking for a driver you need look no further.   …no, really. I am right here.

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2008 Chevy HHR SS gets first reveal at Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan

 GM has chosen the Woodward Dream Cruise along the suburbs of Detroit on Woodward Ave as the appropriate location to show off the new 2008 HHR SS. With its retro-style leanings and SS badging they feel it is the appropriate place to attract the attention of the bow-tie lovers and pocket-rocket crowd. And maybe once they see that the new HHR SS is pumping out 260-hp out of a 2.0 liter engine they just might deem it worthy of a close inspection.

While a number of the retro-revisits in auto styling have been exciting to me at various times the HHR did not win me over. I appreciate the effort but without some real muscle behind it the car was mere fluff in my eyes. But now with 260-hp beneath its molded bonnet why I am reconsidering that evaluation? Amazing what a healthy dose of horsepower and badging can do.
(more…)

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