Chery: Chrysler Deal Still On

Despite a recent report on German newspaper Handelsblatt that said Chery wanted to re-examine a deal to build small cars for Chrysler due to the sale of the latter to Cerberus, the Chinese car maker has still got the hots for Chrysler. A Chery spokesman told Reuters today that the German newspaper had misquoted Chery’s general manager, Zhang Li, and that the earlier agreement with Chrysler, approved by DaimlerChrysler’s Supervisory Board in February 2007, was still on. According to the non-equity partnership, the Chery-built vehicles will be distributed under Chrysler and Dodge logos, primarily in North America and Western Europe. Via: Reuters

2012 BMW 3-Series Rendering With CS Concept Design Cues

Over the years the 3-Series has become the car that defines the term "sport sedan” and the benchmark for every luxury car maker from Alfa Romeo to Volvo. Also it’s the best selling car in BMW’s range. That’s the sole reason why the Bavarians have been so tentative with the styling of all 3-Series models. Either you like them or not, design-wise, the latest 5-Series and 7-Series sedans performed a major styling departure from their predecessors. And between us, the current 3-Series sedan is undoubtedly the most boringly styled car in BMW’s range. Take out the Hofmeister kink, the BMW kidney grille and this could a Mitsubishi.

But that’s about to change in the 6th-gen 3 Series that’s expected to pop-up in the automotive scene in 2011-2012. The info we’ve got coincides with Automotorundsport’s latest CGI of the future 3-Series that draws its inspiration from the impressive CS Concept. AMS’s 3-Series rendering actually looks quite sportier and sexier than the 5.1-meter long concept thanks to the cars more compact dimensions. Maybe it’s a bit too early for any final conclusions concerning the design-road BMW's taking for the next 3-Series, but dreaming never hurt anybody. Pic Via: Automotorunsport

Technorati: BMW+3-Series, cars, Carscoop

Kicherer SL K 60 Evo Black: 605Hp And Full Of Carbon-Fibre

Not the prettiest SL you’ll see on the road but admittedly, it does ooze with power. Kicherer’s latest interpretation of the Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is equipped with a bi-turbo V12 engine delivering 605hp/445kW. 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) come in just 4.3 sec and 200 km/h after 14.2 sec while top speed is electronically limited to 300 km/h (187 mph). Performance isn’t the SL K 60 Evo Black’s only pro. Kicherer also threw in a full body aerodynamic kit with components either made of high-quality carbon or of PUR-RIM giving the SL a unique look. -Press-release and image-gallery after the jump

Via: Diariomotor , Source: Kicherer

Kicherer SL K 60 Evo Black: 605hp Mercedes SL Class

The Mercedes SL Class continues its success story in a revised edition. As a matter of course, the engineers and designers at KICHERER have pulled out all the stops in order to enhance the Roadster's exclusiveness and sportiness.

Thanks to the KICHERER K60 Biturbo 12-cylinder engine fitted with 605hp/445kW, the SL 600 becomes one of the most powerful Roadsters around the globe. 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and 200 km/h after 14.2 seconds are values speaking for themselves, just like the electronically limited peak speed of 300 km/h.

Form and functionality of the greatest perfection: Apart from their elegant appearance, the KICHERER aerodynamics components, available for all current SL models, are a tangible improvement to the vehicle's aerodynamics. At high speeds, the driving stability is further enhanced since the aerodynamic lift affecting the front axle is significantly reduced.

And what is more, the components are either made of high-quality carbon or of PUR-RIM. For the upgraded SL generation, a specifically shaped front apron was developed which reduces the front axle's aerodynamic lift by means of its sophisticated design. At the same time, the engine as well as the front brakes benefit from additional cooling provided by the large central air intake.

Replacing the new apron against the standard bumper is nothing more than a child's play. The KICHERER designer suit for the new SL obtains its special je ne sais quoi by the aerodynamically relevant rear diffuser.

Further stylistic devices highlighting the sporty appearance are the shaded rear lights and the rear lid, the inside and the outside mirror shells made of carbon. The sporty interior overwhelms with its F1 steering wheel with carbon gearshift paddles, the supplementary instruments inside the outlet nozzles as well as with further decorative elements made of genuine carbon.

Another important detail stressing the individual look consists in the multi-part KICHERER RS-1 alloys. The two-seater can be equipped with 20" rims - the front ones with 255/30 ZR 20 Pneus and the rear with 305/25 ZR 20 tyres by Continental.

In order to further increase the current SL roadster's extraordinary driving dynamics, KICHERER has developed an electronic programming for the ABC chassis which lowers the car body by approximately 25 millimetres.

The KICHERER high-performance brake system with xxl-sized ventilated and drilled brake discs can easily cope with most excessive strains. And last but not least, the sports exhaust not only boosts the performance but pleases the ear - with a fine and unobtrusive sound symphony.

Euro NCAP: Nissan Qasqhai Receives Record Points For Adult Occupant Protection

Not only did Nissan’s new compact crossover get a maximum 5-star rating for adult occupant protection, but thanks to a near to perfect 36.83 points out of a maximum 37 points, the Qashqai achieved the highest ever recorded score in this test for any vehicle in Euro NCAP’s 10-year long history. In the other tests, the Qashqai received 4-stars (out of 5) for child protection and a mediocre 2 out of 4-star for pedestrian protection. Commenting on the Qashqai’s results Euro NCAP’s Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said "Congratulations Nissan! This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan’s last entry into the small family class was in 2001." -Continued below

Euro NCAP Comments:

Front impact: Apart from the driver's chest, maximum points were scored for the protection offered to both the driver and passenger dummies. Double seatbelt pretensioners ensured that the driver's forward movement was very limited, keeping the knees and femurs well away from the dashboard.

Side impact: The Qashqai scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests

Child-protection: The car scored maximum points based on the measurements recorded by the two child dummies in the front and side tests. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages is not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection: The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. In contrast, the front edge of the bonnet scored no points. The bonnet was rated predominantly fair for the protection offered to the head of a struck child.

Jeep Wrangler Ultimate & JT: 2007 SEMA Concepts

Jeep decided to share with us the first pictures of their upcoming Wrangler based Ultimate & JT concepts both of which will make their public appearance at the 2007 SEMA Show in October. Beginning with the sand-colour JT, the 4x4 pick-up is based on the new Wrangler Unlimited's 116-inch wheelbase platform featuring a 5-foot pickup bed and an easy-to-handle removable hardtop. Its off road capabilities have been enhanced thanks to the 3-inch suspension lift provided by Superlift, the 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, the Mopar rear bumper & rock rails and an a Ramsey 9500 UT winch.

Coated in an experimental colour dubbed “Liquid Charcoal Pearl Coat”, the Wrangler Unlimited based Ultimate gets the same suspension and tire upgrade as the JT adding a heap of Mopar exterior chrome enhancements (including: fuel filler door, tail lamp guards, tubular side steps, exterior mirrors, tow hooks, door handles, hood hinge & fascia overlays). Jeep also took a shot at the interior adding clad seating surfaces in durable orange mesh fabric and dark slate gray Nappa/Province leather – bound with a heavy black-leather baseball stitch while the instrument panel details are treated to an Argent Pearl/Satin Silver paint combination. -High-res Image gallery after the jump

JEEP WRANGLER JT

JEEP WRANGLER ULTIMATE

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Jeep

Technorati: Jeep+Wrangler, SEMA, cars, Carscoop,

Wallpaper Galore: Holden Releases New EFIJY Concept Pictures

For unknown reasons, Holden decided to release today a whole bunch of new images of the 2005 Sydney Show EFIJY concept that reinterpreted the classic design cues of the 1953 FJ Holden. The 5.2-meter long concept was based on a Chevrolet Corvette underbody and it featured a 654Hp, supercharged six-liter V8 engine. -Follow the jump for the high-res gallery

Technorati: Holden+EFIJY, cars, Carscoop, blogs, wallpaper