Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition on Sale

Toyota has announced pricing on the special edition FJ Cruiser Trail Teams that made its debut at the Detroit Show earlier this month. Only 3,200 units will be produced from January 2008 through April 2008, with the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams carrying an MSRP of $4,755 over the $23,725 base price of the FJ Cruiser with a 6-speed manual transmission and $5,110 over the $24,135 base price of the automatic model.

The limited edition FJ Cruiser features the first-ever monotone white roof and body with black trim pieces, while additional exterior features include black front/rear bumper end caps, front grille surround, exterior mirrors and door handles. Trail Teams badges have been added to the rear door and glove box. -Continued

Inside, the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition’s standard features include a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, white color-keyed door trim and instrument panel trim, AM/FM six CD/nine-speaker audio system with MP3 player and 12-volt and 115-volt auxiliary power outlets.

Additional standard equipment on the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition include trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, BF Goodrich Rugged Trail Tires with custom 16-inch TRD alloy wheels, Cyclone air cleaner, rear differential lock and A-TRAC, TRD exhaust system, rock rails, all-weather floor mats, front bumper-mounted auxiliary lights, and front and rear skid plates.







Alfa Romeo 149 Rendering Speculations

In a year’s time, most probably at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo will unveil the successor to its 147 compact sport hatch that has been in the market since 2000 having received a facelift in 2004. The 149 will be available in 3door and 5door variants and it will compete in the premium compact hatch segment against the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series. Using an official sketch of the 149 that Alfa Romeo released last year (see here) as a base, Italian car magazine Quattroruote created a set of renderings to give us an idea of how the sport hatch could look like.

There’s no way of telling how close the renderings are to the final product that we’ll see in 2009, but from what we’ve been told by Alfa Romeo sources, the 149 will indeed borrow several design cues from the 8c Competizione as Quattroruote’s sketches imply. -Continued

The 149 will be based on a modified version of the Fiat Bravo platform and according to Alfa Romeo, it will feature a multi-link rear suspension and Active Roll Control. Power will come from a wide range of petrol and diesel units including a base 120 HP 1.4-liter Turbo gasoline engine and a 265 HP 3.2-liter V6 unit for the top-notch GTA version that will compete with the Audi S3 and BMW 135i.

Pics: Quattroruote – Thanks for the pics Tommi!

Video: 2008 Ford Mustang Dream Commercial

According to Ford, every man dreams of owning a Mustang at some point in his life. Too bad for the chap in ad that’s performing power-slides and burnouts in the ’08 Mustang, that he’s literally dreaming about it. At least he ends up with both the car and a gal in the end. –Video after the jump

Via: Motorpasion

Toyota Recalls Over 15,000 MY 2007 Tundra Pick-Up Trucks

Toyota USA is recalling 15,616 MY 2007 Tundra 4-wheel drive pickup trucks due to the improper heat treatment of the slip yokes that had been reworked during the manufacturing process. In this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may break causing the propeller shaft to separate at the joint and come into contact with the road surface or the fuel tank which could result in a loss of vehicle control or even a fuel leak. Toyota dealers will inspect the slip yoke and replace the propeller shaft if necessary.

Scooped: BMW 1-Series Tii Production Version?

We’ll be frank with you; we have no information whatsoever on this supped-up BMW 1-Series Coupe that was caught on film somewhere in Germany. Though it sure looks like it could be the production version of the 1-Series Coupe Tii that we saw at the 2007 Tokyo Show last October (click here), it may very well be nothing more than a 1-Series Coupe fitted with various BMW performance parts. Either way, we’ll find out soon enough. -Image gallery after the jump








Via: Jalopnik , Source: 1addicts

Toyota Announces Pricing on 2009 Corolla Sedan

Toyota has released prices on the all-new 2009 Corolla Sedan (see details and images here) that will begin arriving at dealerships in February. Available in five grades – Standard, LE, XLE, the sporty S, and the performance-driven XRS, the Corolla is offered with a pair of 4-cylinder engines, a 132 HP 1.8-liter and a 158 HP 2.4-liter, each of which can be combined with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.8L engine can be matted to a 4-speed automatic transmission while the 2.4L engine with a 5-speed automatic. The Corolla base MSRP will range from $15,250 to $19,950. -Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE 2009 COROLLA

Nearly 40 years after the Corolla was introduced to American drivers, an all-new, 10th generation 2009 Corolla will continue to offer the quality and value for which the brand has long been known. The new Corolla with an all-new body that delivers increased interior and luggage room, more power, more economical engines and an all-new chassis and suspension.

The Corolla will come in five grades – Standard, LE, XLE, the sporty S, and the performance-driven XRS. A standard body kit on S and XRS models helps to modify aerodynamics and enhance the Corolla's sporty look – these include a front spoiler, rocker moldings, upper and lower rear spoilers, and for improved air management under the car, engine undercovers.

The Standard, LE and XLE will be equipped with one of the all-new engines. The 1.8-liter 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine, will produce 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. One of the engine's most important features is its use of Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts that helps it achieve outstanding performance and economy.

For those who desire just a bit more horsepower and torque, there is the 2.4-liter engine which produces 158 hp at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. This engine is completely redesigned for use in the new Corolla XRS grade. The 2.4-liter engine transmits its power through the five-speed manual transmission, but is available with a five-speed automatic. The automatic transmission can be manually shifted sequentially.

Airbags are installed in the steering wheel, instrument panel, front seats and side-roof. Side curtain airbags that help protect passengers in the front and rear seats in the event of a side impact are standard. Front seats employ active headrests as standard equipment. Toyota's Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard on all grades of the Corolla. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) and cut-off switch available is available as an option.

The all-new Corolla is equipped with an array of standard performance and convenience features. Among the many features on the Standard grade are P195/65 R15 tires, a heavy duty rear window defogger, AM/FM/CD audio with four speakers that is also XM® satellite capable, air conditioning with air filter, intermittent windshield wipers, two 12-volt power outlets, daytime running lights, black manual folding power mirrors, power steering, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and much more.

In addition to standard features on the Standard grade, the LE grade adds power windows with driver-side one-touch-down, shift-activated power doorlocks and color-keyed manual-folding power mirrors.

As well as the features on the LE grade, the XLE grade adds P205/55 R16 tires with full wheel covers, variable intermittent wipers, remote keyless entry, Optitron gauges, center console with sliding armrests, wood grain trim, and driver and passenger rear-seat pockets.

Besides the Standard grade features, the sporty S grade also features standard P205/55R16 tires with full wheel covers, color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, fog lamps, front sport seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, black headlamp housing, chrome exhaust tip and AM/FM/CD XM® capable audio with six speakers.

In addition to S grade features, the XRS grade adds rear deck spoiler, P215/45 R17 tires with alloy wheels, sport strut tower brace, VSC with TRAC and cut-off switch, XRS scuff plate, leather-trimmed shift lever and knob, cruise control and interior chrome accent.

Additional standard equipment on the XLS grade includes VSC with TRAC and cut-off switch, P205/55 R16 tires with 16-inch alloy wheels, a JBL audio system with AM/FM/six-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, XM® satellite and eight speakers in six locations and navigation system with AM/FM CD with MP3/WMA playback capability.

The Corolla Standard grade will carry a base MSRP of $15,250 for models with a manual transmission and $16,050 for models with an automatic. The LE grade with automatic has a base MSRP of $16,650 and the XLE grade with an automatic a base MSRP of $17,550. The S grade will carry a base price of $16,320 for a manual transmission model and $17,150 for models with an automatic. The MSRP for the premium XRS grade will be $18,760 for a manual transmission and $19,950 for models with an automatic.

2009 Hummer H3T Pick-Up: Official High-Res Images

A set of leaked (high-resolution) images that found their way into the internet today seem to have spoiled GM’s initial plans to unveil the all-new Hummer H3T Pick-Up at next month’s Chicago Auto Show. Details are scarce for the moment, but we do know that the H3T will have a longer wheelbase than the standard H3 while it will also feature a bedrail system and four in-bed storage compartments. The H3T featured in the pictures is the Alpha version which is equipped with a 295 HP 5.3-liter V8 instead of the standard inline-5. -Image gallery after the jump










Via: LLN

2009 Skoda Superb Update: Official Details on Engine Range & More

VW’s Czech subsidiary has released new pictures and information concerning the all-new Superb that is about to receive a premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Before we get into details on the Superb’s engine line-up, let us tell you about the “TWINDOOR” application. According to the Czech carmaker, the “TWINDOOR” is a tailgate opening system developed and patented by Å koda engineers that makes it possible to open either just the boot lid (for small pieces of luggage) or lift the whole tailgate including the rear window. So, does that make the Superb a 5door liftback or a sedan model? -Continued

As for the engine line up, the Superb will be offered with three petrol and three diesel engines matted to either manual or automatic DSG transmissions. The petrol engine portfolio includes the all-new four-cylinder 1.4 TSI (125 HP), the 1.8 TSI (160 HP) and the brand new 3.6 FSI V6 (260 HP). The most powerful version of the Superb will only be available with an automatic DSG transmission and a four-wheel drive system and will appear in the market shortly after the official launch of the new model.

The diesel engine portfolio includes 1.9 TDI PD DPF (105 HP), 2.0 TDI PD DPF (140 HP) and the all-new 2.0 TDI CR DPF (175 HP) with common rail injection.

Additionally, Skoda revealed that the new Superb will offer a variety of high-tech systems including the AFS (Adaptive Frontlight System) that makes use of the possibility of changing the geometry of the headlamp beam and adapting the lighting in front of the vehicle to suit different driving conditions, thus enabling the driver to identify obstacles and react to them in time and . the all-new high-tech navigation system with a touch screen and a hard disk.

SEAT Celebrates its 16 millionth Vehicle

Today, January 25, Spanish car maker SEAT is celebrating a historic milestone as its 16 millionth model rolled off the production line at the firm’s modern Martorell plant, near Barcelona. SEAT’s first model, the “1400” came off the assembly line at the company’s base in Barcelona’s Zona Franca on 13th November 1953.

At that time the firm’s 900 workers managed a production rate of five cars per day. Today, by contrast, the company has a workforce of around 12,000, including the staff at the SEAT Technical Centre, and produces about 2,000 units daily at the Martorell plant. The 16 millionth model, a silver Leon Ecomotive equipped with a frugal 105 PS 1.9 TDI diesel engine, is destined to be sold on the Spanish market.

2008 Subaru Impreza: H&R Suspension Upgrades

Suspension specialist «H&R» has developed a sportier spring kit for the all-new Subaru Impreza, which brings the compact Japanese hatch some 35 millimetres or 1.4-inches closer to the asphalt. According to the German firm, while the kit improves the car’s driving dynamics the Impreza still remains suitable for everyday use, even in terms of comfort. For those who wouldn’t mind an even sportier edge, H&R also offers a coilover and sports stabilizer set.

Video: Lexus IS-F Racing Concept

The Lexus IS-F Racing Concept was unveiled at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this month. Unfortunately, due to our lack of the Japanese language, we still haven’t managed to gather any information on Lexus’ DTM-lookalike racing concept. What we did manage to find however is a video clip of the car, that you can check out right after the jump. -Continued


Via: Autoblog.it

Ferrari F430 Spider Bites The Dust, Luckily Passengers Survive

Another day, another Ferrari accident. This one, involving a F430 Spider occurred on the Dutch highway A58 and as you can see in the pictures, the Italian roadster was totalled. According to Dutch newspapers, the two passengers of the car, the driver and his baby where tossed out of the car but luckily, they both managed to survive without life-threatening injuries. -One more pic after the jump

Via: Brabantsdagblad

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Production Interior Picture

Not that we were expecting Dodge to stay 100 percent loyal to the original concept’s interior, but come on; from what we see in these spy shots, Dodge seems to have collected bits and pieces from here and there to create a dashboard that looks very different from the one we saw in the Challenger SRT8 Concept. Sure we dig the masculine gearbox shifter handle and the shiny metal trim on the panel, but if this is actually the finished product, we’re more than disappointed. -Compare the above image with pictures of the Concept's cabin after the jump




Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Challengertalk