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Like the distant cries from the mad uncle locked in the attic, we hear that Vauxhall has another barmy Aussie motor on the way, just waiting to howl at the moon. The Antipodean is called the VXR8 , so it won't take a forensic scientist to work out that there's a big old V8 lurking under the bonnet. It's the same 6.0-litre 420bhp monster that we last saw in the end-of-line Monaro VXRs, and in this VXR8 saloon, this is enough to see off 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, although there's no word on top speed as yet. Sticking with rear-wheel drive, the VXR8 comes with either a six-speed manual gearbox or, included for the first time, a five-speed auto. The auto attracts a £1,400 premium, but when the VXR8 costs only £34,995, we reckon you can afford to indulge in a few extras when the car goes on sale in July. Source: topgear See also: First Drive: Vauxhall Astra 1.6T 180 SRi Vaux in the box

TURIN, Italy — Italdesign will be pushing the alternative-fuel message at next week's Geneva auto show with the unveiling of a futuristic-looking, hydrogen-powered concept car called the Vadho . Based around a unique chassis developed in-house at Italdesign 's Turin-based headquarters in Italy, it moves well away from the retro themes explored on the company's last concept car, the Giugiaro Mustang, adopting distinct aeronautic-inspired styling cues, including seating for two within a tandem cockpit fashioned in a teardrop shape down one side of the upper body. The car to be shown in Geneva is described as having left-hand drive. However, the use of compact drive-by-wire control systems is claimed to mean the Vadho can easily be adapted to right-hand drive. The Vadho does away with a traditional steering wheel in favor of two joystick controls. Power, meanwhile, comes by way of a hydrogen-fueled engine positioned at the rear next to the passenger. Conceived to highlight th

Once upon a time, a new family car from Ford would simultaneously attract the biggest fanfare, and the biggest yawns. Now, thanks to its appearance in the recent James Bond flick, the new Mondeo 's film star looks have earned it a most triumphant fanfare. The price of the new Mondeo is more Holyhead than Hollywood, however, and will kick off at £14,995 for the petrol 1.6-litre Edge five-door model. There are the usual saloon, hatch and estate bodies, and four trims covering Edge, Zetec, Ghia and Titanium. Order books open in March for the new vehicle, and deliveries are expected to begin in June. source: topgear

GENEVA — Next week at the Geneva auto show, the Fiat stand will be devoted in its entirety to the 10 models that make up the Bravo lineup. The company hopes this move will maximize the effect of the show debut for the new model. There will be engine variants from a 150-horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine to a 150-hp 1.9-liter Multijet diesel, a wide range of equipment levels, trim options and custom choices, and all kinds of enticingly named colors like Maranello Red, Maserati Blue, Provocative Black and so on. This is not an unprecedented move for media days. A couple of years ago, Rover showed two prototypes of a forthcoming Mini replacement to journalists, but by the time the general public arrived, the stand had been rearranged and the one-off cars disappeared. Fiat will also change the layout when the Geneva show opens to public scrutiny. Then the whole Fiat lineup will be presented, including the 100-hp Panda, the highly popular Sedici and the quirky Croma. Also, the Geneva s

The 789 gets its name from the melding of design cues from the 1957, 1958, and 1959 Chevrolet models . The headlights and nose are most similar to the 57 Chevy, while the mid-section and interior are much like the 58, and the rear and tailfins are styled after the 59. The vehicle is built on a 2005-2007 Corvette C6 chassis, and shares the stock C6's 400 hp engine as well.

Hey ! Dodge Fans ! Here is a contest rules: If you want the cool Black Nitro "Can" T-Shirt or long-sleeve Red Dodge T-Shirt (see the pictures below) The "can" the t-shirt comes in (You have to see it to believe it!) : The T-shirt: (front) Long-sleeve Red Dodge T-Shirt (picture shows both the front and back) Send me email (you can find in contacts section) with your address and " Black Nitro" or " Red Dodge" text in subject. Then I'll randomly choose a 2 winners (future t-shirt owners). The winners will be announced on this blog with photos of t-shirts dresssed on them :) source: Dodge See also: VIDEO: Dodge Demon concept

Amid the supercoupes and ketamine-fuelled concepts of the Geneva show, there'll be a healthy dose of practicality present in the shape of the new Volkswagen Golf Estate . Although VW is highlighting the estate's revised front end and dynamic lines, it's a unapologetically practical station wagon. With a low-loading boot lip, roof rails and fold-flat rear seats, bootspace stands at a whopping 1,550 litres - the largest loadspace of any Golf to date. Volkswagen's tried-and-tested 1.9- and 2.0-litre turbodiesels join a brace of petrol engines - a 1.4-litre TSI and 1.6-litre FSI - from the Golf hatchback. The smaller petrol is actually the more powerful variant, and comes with the option of a DSG gearbox instead of the standard six-speed manual shifter. The Golf Estate goes on sale this summer in the UK, with prices to be confirmed nearer to the time. Source: topgear See also: First Drive: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

German car TV goes through the development of this 1001 horsepower Bugatti Veyron.

PRESS RELEASE: Gumpert Apollo Sport Rebel amongst super sport cars It is one of only a handful of super sport cars and after its debut at Geneva's international Motor Show in 2006 it was clear: the apollo is a synthesis of dynamic and design with pure driving pleasure and unique performance. On the road it speeds like a god and on the race track it cries out to be challenged by an opponent that can match its breathtaking acceleration and incomparable handling. Now, it is due to get a worthy competitor out of its own stable. At the 77th Geneva Motor Show, the Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur will present the apollo sport to the wide public. The apollo sport is the rebel amongst the super sport cars. Its bodywork combines sexy curves with potent edges and angles and aims for uncompromising aerodynamics. A clear demonstration of the principle "form follows function". Its challenging sporting design derives from the requirement to built a street legal racing car, whose number on

PRESS RELEASE a.d.TRAMONTANA, presents its production model in the 77th Geneva International Motorshow 2007 Tramontana: half formula 1, half fighter. First it was the idea, then the model, later the prototype and now, finally, the final genesis has come: the first Tramontana is already ready for its international presentation. Journalists of the whole world are going to meet in the Geneva Motor Show to see, touch and hear for the first time the Tramontana, the only exclusive sports car of Spanish manufacture. That's right. The Tramontana is already ready for its world debut next 8. March. A.d. TRAMONTANA, the Catalan company that has created it, after years of investigation and development presents the definitive version, and we are not in presence of just any vehicle: the Tramontana does not answer to the classic super-sports car, the best arguments of a formula 1 and a fighter have met together with an aesthetics inspired by the beauty of the classic

PRESS RELEASE Now available for heavy vehicles: „Crystal“ from OXIGIN delivered in an awe-inspiring 22” • One-piece wheels with 5 Y-shaped spokes • Brand new in 22” format! • perfect for SUVs and all-terrain vehicles • also available in 17, 18, 19 and 20” in Chrome Silver or Full Chrome • 22” from 535 euros, with TÜV approval • 3-year guarantee – "Made in Germany" With last years launching of “Crystal”, OXIGIN, well-known specialists for their rim creations, released a spectacular design. Up to now, 20” meant the end of the flag pole, but now owners of larger vehicles can enjoy these wheels as well. Available immediately is an impressive 22”. The “Crystal” is characterised through its Y-spoke design. It is reminiscent of ice crystals in a snowflake or of a cut jewel. As a result of its many edges and bevelled surfaces, especially when it is turning, the wheel evokes light reflections like a jewel and a bewitching game of shadows. The two branches emerging from each of the f

The prototype car shown above, modeled on Honda’s JDM/ASEAN market Civic sedan, incorporates a 2.0-liter iVTEC engine giving nearly 220 horsepower, along with the usual suspension and appearance modifications. Given the close proximity of the standard Japanese Civic sedan to its North American counterpart, it would likely be easier to federalize such a model than attempt to import the Euro-market Type R’s angular hatchback, whose bodystyle wasn’t developed with either the U.S. or Canada in mind. This strikes us as a wise move, because as wonderful as the current Civic Si is here in the States, it’s outgunned by high-horsepower entries like the Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX, both of which will be likely targets for this more expensive CTR. source: windingroad

There have been a lot of body modifications for the Lamborghini Gallardo released, but none have been as sexy as the Spiga Concept . Created by Ugur Sahin, an automotive and industrial designer, the Spiga Concept has not been evaluated by Lamborghini, but perhaps it should be. The Spiga is clearly based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, which the Author says “proved itself to be a top-notch design.” The main characteristic of the car is that the rear and the middle flows in an harmonic way which kind of reminds the human muscles stretching to the back, as the front is slightly different than the rear, it also gives a sense of speed and movement forward when viewed form the side angles. The air intakes near the side windows are designed integrated on the body which also shows strong Lamborghini aspects. Be sure and look at the rear of the car, which is one of its best modifications. source: automoblog See also: VIDEO: Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 VIDEO: Lamborghini: this is how heave

Full test and review of the awesome Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 from Top Gear, Also the Stig takes it around the track for some all out attack. See also: VIDEO: Lamborghini: this is how heaven sounds!!

DETROIT — Until now, moviegoers only got a quick glimpse of the Chevrolet Camaro that stars in Paramount's upcoming Transformers movie via a trailer that hit theaters late last year. The brief clip also offers teaser images of the GMC TopKick truck, Hummer H2 and Pontiac Solstice that will star in what is likely to be the blockbuster film of the summer. But General Motors took the edge off this weekend, releasing several images of its four Transformer vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro is undoubtedly the über-Transformer, dubbed "Bumblebee," a major character in the saga of aliens who take mechanical forms when on earth. GM said it will "roll out a fully integrated marketing and promotional effort around the film in the near future, including a major Chevrolet promotion." Insiders say this effort may include specially badged vehicles to commemorate the film, as well as the usual line of toys, posters and other movie-related accessories. GM vehicles are not

PRESS RELEASE: The legendary Abarth "Scorpion" returns A great project will be launched at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show: the rebirth of one of the most prestigious brands in world motorsports. Its symbol is a scorpion, and its name is Abarth. Abarth has always been synonymous with assertive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and it now returns with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motorsports. Abarth's first interpretation of the Grande Punto will be on the "catwalk" at the Geneva Show, the first step in an initiative which will later involve other models. This new adventure starts in the familiar, uniquely emotional context and exclusive setting of the Geneva Motor Show. A striking stand has been prepared, in line with the philosophy of Abarth's rebirth, an innovative space with a fresh, contemporary, technological language and great attention to every detail. The new elements that will publicise the Abarth brand are dis

PRESS RELEASE Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy - With the Gallardo Superleggera, Automobili Lamborghini presents an uncompromisingly high-performance sports car. Thanks to increased power (an additional 10 hp) and a 100 kg reduction in weight (USA 70 kg), the new range-leading Gallardo Superleggera is even more dynamic than the already very sporty Gallardo. The weight/power ratio of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is only 2.5 kg/hp, which puts it unquestionably at the top. The Superleggera also has the fastest acceleration in its class. It needs only 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph); 0.2 seconds less than the basic model, and boasting speed and grit under other driving conditions. The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is an extremely high-performance car: it includes a standard robotized mechanical 'e-gear' gearbox that guarantees shifting without removing hands from the steering wheel. The new Gallardo Superleggera can be ordered through the dealer network