Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2010) – Road Test

March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Like many off road vehicles Toyota’s Land Cruiser began life as a military developed machine and has a history that …full story

Jeep Patriot (2010) – Road Test

March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Back in January of 1991 the World’s attention was directed at the Middle East where the American military had begun …full story

News: Pagani Zonda R hits the race track (+video)

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March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

The only way to describe the new Pagani Zonda R is totally insane and to prove it a new promotional video of the beast has been released.

The awesome video shows some building scenes before the Zonda R is shown on the track for the first time. The Pagani Zonda R is powered by the 6.0 litre V12 engine from AMG that’s good for 750 hp and 710 Nm of torque.

The performance specs are staggering and include a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just 2.7 seconds.

If you think you want a Pagani Zonda R, you’ll need 1.5 million Euros and a lot of patience. If that’s a little steep then the good news is that the video is free, click the link below to check it out.

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Posted by Car and SUV on March 12th, 2010 in News, Videos | Tags: , ,

News: New BMW X1 arrives in NZ

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March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

The all new BMW X1 has arrived in New Zealand and comes claiming versatile, sporting performance and supreme agility in the world’s first premium, compact Sports Activity Vehicle.

The BMW X1 is the smallest member of the BMW xDrive family, blending a raised rideheight, load-space and practicality of a lifestyle vehicle in a compact sports-wagon.

With vehicles due to arrive in New Zealand dealerships next month, the BMW X1 has been an early sales success oversees since its European launch.

BMW Group New Zealand Managing Director, Mark Gilbert said the BMW X1 is an extremely “relevant” car for today’s world. “Offering sporty, lifestyle practicality combined with the world’s most fuelefficient engines, the BMW X1 epitomizes the BMW EfficientDynamics philosophy that you can have your cake and eat it too,” he said.

The X1 will feature two diesel engines, and the option of two petrol power plants, the BMW X1 is available in four-wheel drive xDrive format as well as a two-wheel, rear wheel drive option, known as ‘sDrive’.

The elevated seating position and the driver-oriented design of the cockpit should make for a unique driving experience in the compact segment.

At the rear, seating for three splits into three foldable sections. Luggage compartment capacity can be increased from 420 litres to 1,350 litres. Numerous storage facilities and boxes add practical value, while the optional Panorama glass roof offers an even more generous feeling of space.

Benefiting from BMW EfficientDynamics, the BMW X1 will offers the best fuel economy within the segment of BMW X models.

The BMW X1 is entering the New Zealand market with a choice of two four-cylinder diesels. The BMW X1 xDrive23d comes with a 150 kW/204 hp diesel featuring a twin turbo set-up and common-rail fuel injection. The diesel engine in the BMW X1 xDrive20d delivers 130 kW/177 hp, and also comes with common-rail fuel injection as well as a turbocharger with variable intake geometry.

Two petrol engine variants, the BMW X1 18i and BMW X1 25i, will be launched later this year.

Pricing will begin at $56,900 for the BMW X1 sDrive 18i and top out at $80,990 for the BMW X1 xDrive25i.

Check out images of the new BMW X1 by clicking the link below.

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Posted by Car and SUV on March 12th, 2010 in News | Tags: , ,

News: Mitsubishi to shut down Ralliart

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March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Ralliart the in-house tuning company responsible for handling both rally and off-road tuning for Mitsubishi has announced it will be shutting up shop. On April 1, 2010 Ralliart will close down after 27 years in business.

In an open letter to his customers, Ralliart president Masao Taguchi stated that his firm was just another victim of the economic downturn.

The company will no longer offer their technical support plan to motorsport customers and its catalogue of aftermarket tuning parts has been axed. Only production of FIA VO Ralliart items will remain, but that will now be taken care of directly by Mitsubishi. Availability of models like the Lancer Ralliart (pictured) here in NZ should remain unchanged.

“We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers,” Taguchi said in an interview.

Ralliart was established in April, 1984, and since than it has become well known in the world of motorsport. Ralliart played a big part in the development of the Mitsubishi Evo over the years.

Posted by Car and SUV on March 12th, 2010 in News | Tags: , , , , ,

Videos: Range Rover Sport Supercharger 0 – 100mph – 0

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March 12th, 2010 by Car and SUV

The New 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged 0mph to 100mph and back

Posted by Car and SUV on March 12th, 2010 in Videos | Tags: , ,

News: Daimler to sell stake in Tata Motors

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March 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Daimler is struggling in the tough economic climate and weakening global demand for luxury automobiles has lead to large 2009 losses.

According to recent reports Daimler is now looking to raise money to rebuild its business in developed regions by selling its 25.6 million shares of Tata Motors stock. The share sell out should net the German automaker an estimated $429 million USD. Shares of Tata Motors are doing well with stock up 19 percent since February 26, so Daimler stands to earn some big bucks from the sale.

Existing european markets and the blossoming Chinese market are Daimler’s focus now with all money to be concentrated in these regions. However, while Daimler is selling, Tata isn’t keen on buying, stating that its collection of companies isn’t interested in purchasing the shares. This leaves Daimler attempting to sell the stocks on the open market in block deals, which will shift large amounts of shares at once.

Daimler’s break from Tata is set to be fairly clean with the two companies not currently working on any joint ventures together. Analysts reportedly don’t believe Daimler’s sale of Tata shares will affect the Indian automaker’s stock price.

Posted by Car and SUV on March 11th, 2010 in News | Tags: , , ,

News: Lotus and Cosworth to develop performance engines

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March 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV

Like spreading Marmite on Vogels toast some things just naturally go together in this world. That’s the case for Lotus and Cosworth. Back in 1967 when Keith Duckworth, Mike Costin and Ford got together to create the DFV Formula One engine, Lotus was the first team to make the move and drop it into a car. The DFV would go on to major success winning 12 world drivers championships and 10 F1 constructors titles.

Now Lotus and Cosworth are making moves to rekindle the old flame and get back together working on high-performance engines. The current-generation Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora are all powered by Toyota-developed engines, and now Cosworth will be upgrading these units for new Lotus road and race machines, with the first being the new Evora Cup car.

The GT4-class Evora (pictured) is now propelled by a 400-horsepower 4.0-litre version of Toyota’s V6 engine with dry-sump lubrication all supplied by the engine specialists. With a new Esprit on the cards for Lotus it looks like Cosworth will have a prime opportunity to display its tuning prowess.

Posted by Car and SUV on March 11th, 2010 in News | Tags: , , , ,

News: Geiger Cars treats Shelby GT500 to 799 bhp upgrade

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March 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV

German tuners Geiger Cars has a love for American muscle cars and have just given a major power increase to the Mustang Shelby GT500.  The vehicle has been giving a thorough reworking and  output is now pumped up from 397 kW/533 bhp to an awesome 596 kW / 799 bhp.

Top speed on the car is now 354 km/h (220 mph).  Sprint times have not been revealed but once those rear wheels get enough traction it should be a rocket.

Torque on the 5.4-litre V8 engine was increased to 945 Nm (697 lb-ft).  How was the extra power achieved? Mainly from the introduction of a 3.3-litre compressor which puts out a 1.6 bar pressure.  Further performance enhancements include better air flow, new cylinder heads, more coolers, bigger throttle valves, and upgraded fuel injection.

The car’s transmission also received treatment to handle the extra power, and a three-disc carbon clutch is used. Large 380 mm drilled brake discs were added, along with six-piston calipers.

OZ alloys were added measuring 20-inches and they are covered in Michelin high performance tyres.

Pricing and availability will be announced shortly.

See images of the vehicle by clicking the link below.

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Posted by Car and SUV on March 11th, 2010 in News | Tags: , ,

Videos: ROUSH 2010 Ford Mustang: Teaser

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March 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV

ROUSH 2010 Ford Mustang: Teaser

Posted by Car and SUV on March 11th, 2010 in Videos | Tags: , , , ,
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