NOBLE M15

Noble unveiled its new lightweight supercar, M15, equipped with a 3.0 V6 Twin Turbocharged engine that pumps out 455 bhp. The M15 will remain faithful to the company’s M14 concept as a user-friendly supercar –with 300 litres of luggage space divided between the front and rear compartments, but will have an all-new chassis, drivetrain configuration, interior and body - as well as more power.

With a guide price of £75,000 the M15 represents a major departure from Noble’s current models. It will target buyers who are seeking a more exclusive and driver-focused alternative to mid-engined cars in the £110-130k price bracket, while also tempting those who are eyeing up the 2007 Lotus Esprit.

“The M15’s fresh styling and engineering emphasise our desire to present a genuinely all-new car to the market,” said Lee Noble, Noble’s MD and design chief. “While the Noble M12 series continues to win us accolades for its performance and dynamics, we’ve worked hard to ensure that the M15 is in a different league altogether. As before, this has been achieved without us having to resort to big, heavy engines or trick electronics. The M15 will be nothing less than a pure-bred driving machine.”

Noble M15 Technical Specifications:

With a 455bhp version of the tried and trusted three-litre twin turbo V6 engine Noble has come to rely on, this is the quickest car ever to emerge from Barwell, Leicestershire. With the complementary figure of 455lb/ft of torque, all in a car that weighs slightly more than 1200kg, the M15 is devastatingly fast.

The M15 accelerates from 0-60mph in less than 3.3 seconds and 10 100mph in less than 8s. It keeps going all the way to 185mph, too, and has been tuned for rapid acceleration throughout the range rather than an easily achievable 200mph top end speed.

Weigh distribution has also improved over the existing model to 42:58 per cent, front:rear, due to the engine and gearbox assembly being moved forward by 300 mm

Noble M15 highlights:

• Dry-sumped engine with 455bhp/455lb ft of torque
• In-line drivetrain using a new, bespoke gearbox
• New, 57 per cent stiffer spaceframe chassis
• Generous boot space, front and rear
• New interior with high levels of standard equipment

Noble M15 Price:

The M15 will sit above Noble’s current models from launch, leaving the completed range as follows:

Noble M15: £75,000 (est)

Noble M400: £55,995

Noble M12 GTO-3R: £49,950

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Mazda CX-9 SUV

Mazda announced its going to exhibit its all new 7seater SUV named CX-9, at the New York International Auto Show. The CX-9 will start its career in North America in early 2007 where it will be offered with a new 3.5 litre V6 engine driven through a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

PRESS RELEASE

As a larger sibling to the Mazda CX-7 crossover SUV, unveiled earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Mazda CX-9 is the second vehicle designed and engineered specifically for the North American market.

"The all-new CX-7 and CX-9 were engineered specifically for North America to help us fulfill ambitious goals. The CX-9 has traits only a Mazda SUV could have: strong performance, agile handling, precise steering and superior quality and craftsmanship.", emphasizes Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North America.

The seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 is a clean break from the traditional boxy SUVs crowding the US market. Engineered with Mazda’s “Soul of a Sports Car” signature, Mazda CX-9 blends a sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality. It has a unique Mazda design and Zoom-Zoom performance; along with high levels of interior quality, space and versatility.

Mazda CX-9 is powered by a new MZI 3.5L V6 engine driven through a standard six-speed automatic transmission. Final drive is through either front- or all-wheel drive.

More detail on specific model content will be available closer to launch, but standard features on all trims include air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, and six airbags. To help avoid accidents, all CX-9s are fitted as standard with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS). An optionally available power-operated lift gate provides one-touch opening and closing access to the cargo hold.

The Mazda CX-9 will be produced at the Ujina Plant located near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan and is expected in North American showrooms in early 2007.

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Yes! Roadster 3.2 & 3.2 Turbo

Funke&Will AG introduced the second-generation Yes! Roadster at the Auto Motor International Show in Leipzig. The new Yes! Roadster 3.2 and 3.2 Turbo keeps the same approach of an "uncompromising driving machine" which results in "pure driving pleasure".

Like its predecessor, the Roadster 3.2 is being built around an aluminium spaceframe chassis with GRP panels. The whole car weighs just 900 kg. It is powered by a new Audi-sourced 3.2-liter V-6 engine, capable of 255 hp. The result is an acceleration time of 4.9 seconds for the 0-100 km/h sprint. The 3.2 Roadster Turbo has a max speed of 281 km/h, courtesy of its turbocharged 355 hp engine.

Safety is a key aspect of the car. Optional equipment includes airbags and ABS. Convenience features include chrome and leather trimmed interior and a hi-fi sound system. Each car can be customized according to the buyer's wishes. Compared to the original Yes! Roadster, the new 3.2 has a longer wheelbase, more front and rear overhang.

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Geiger Cars SC524 Kompressor –Chevrolet Corvette C6

German tuner company Geiger Cars which specializes in American autos, released the new SC 524 Kompressor model which is basically, a tuned up Chevrolet C6 that produces 524 hp -120 hp up from the normal version. The tune-up contains of an Eaton supercharger, a free-flow intake air guiding with sport air filter, special exhaust manifolds, steel bed catalysts, four large chrome exhaust tips and a special mapping for the ECU. The sprint time from 0 to 100 km/h is reduced to about 3.7 seconds while maximum speed is increased to about 327 km/h.

The designers also developed a front spoiler edge to fit on the standard apron which reduces the lift on the front axle. Its aerodynamic counterpiece is a diffuser to fit on the rear apron. Geiger Cars technicians developed a high performance brake system and a suspension tuning with custom spring struts that replace the standard transverse springs to achieve more dynamic handling. The Corvette also gets new multipart chrome alloys (front :255/30, rear 305/25)

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Pontiac G6 GXP Show Car

Pontiac revealed the first official pictures of its G6 GXP concept car that will make its public appearance in the upcoming New York International Auto Show. The styling enhancements give the G6 GXP a dramatic look, with a hint of the Nismo Nissan 350Z when looking at it from a ¾ rear view. Under the hood, the G6 GXP uses a slightly tuned 3,9 liter V6 engine that produces 270 hp. According to Pontiac, if the G6 GXP grabs the public and media attention, it may go in production later this year.

PRESS RELEASE

Seeking to build on the 25% retail sales gain by the G6 so far this year, Pontiac is revealing a new G6 GXP coupe show car at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Designed to augment the G6’s sleek styling with a more aggressive appearance and stance, the new GXP show car will test both media and public reaction before any final decision on production is made.

“Although the GXP performance series has been very successful in the past, we’ve never attempted to introduce a GXP on our largest volume vehicle and we want to be sure we do it right,” said Dennis Maraone, Pontiac product director. “We believe the package of exterior, interior and performance enhancements we’ve put together on the G6 GXP show car should appeal to 2+2 coupe enthusiasts.”

Highlighting the exterior styling changes is a redesigned front fascia, featuring an integrated lower air dam and an aggressive chrome treatment of Pontiac’s signature twin-port grille, as well as a twin air scoop hood. Around back, the new rear fascia shows off the dual chrome-tipped exhaust and unique “hammerhead” spoiler. Side rocker panels, 19-inch wheels, vented cross-drilled brake rotors, and a 25-mm reduction in suspension height finish off the GXP’s ground-hugging appearance.

Inside, red accents give the GXP a sportier flavor than a standard G6. The red chrome trim on the instrument cluster, center stack and door controls augments the red leather seat and door panel inserts.

Under the hood, the G6 GXP uses a modified 3.9-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Linking a ram air induction system with K&N air filter to a cat-back free flowing exhaust helps boost engine output to 270 horsepower (202 kw) and 259 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm).

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Zagato Ferrari 575 GTZ

Yushiyuki Hayashi is a famous Japanese car collector, who owns numerous cars of great historical value, including several Ferraris such as the 166MM, the 250 Spider California, two Daytonas ­ a coupé and a spider ­ and the Enzo.

In the classic tradition of the keen purchaser of exclusive cars who stimulated the creativeness of Italian coachbuilders in the 1950s and 1960s, Yushiyuki Hayashi asked Zagato if it would be possible to create a body for his 575M, in the style of the famous 250GTZ berlinetta.

When Zagato received this request, it informed Ferrari of the project, which would be a good opportunity to celebrate the model's anniversary, and then created a car that harked back to the 250 GTZ, built around the Ferrari 575. Like its forebear, the 575 GTZ has an all-aluminium body, and, as a tribute to Ferrari and to two-seater Italian sports cars, it has joined the exclusive group of cars that are the fruit of the tradition of custom-built cars.

Like the 250 GTZ, it sports two-tone paintwork with styling cues and volumes that explicitly refer back to the 1950s, and sublimates the character of the many cars built by Zagato to clothe original engineering, with the pure style of traditional sports cars.

For Zagato, the project represented an opportunity to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTZ of 1956, one of the most outstanding GT cars, which has already gone down in history.

The model, which was also commissioned by a gentleman driver and collector, in the best Zagato tradition, is a sublime synthesis of prestige and performance, elegance and sportiness, to the point that it can boast the highest value of any car in the luxury period sports car market. The 250 GTZ has won numerous competitions and concours d'élégance, and it represents a dream come true, because experts and fans consider it one of the most beautiful cars in the world.

The new 575 GTZ has the Ferrari prancing horse on its bonnet and the Z of Zagato on its side, an expression of eternal Italian excellence in its form and content. It is a winning combination, linking the most powerful, famous engineering in the world with the most refined, fascinating sporting style, both made strictly in Italy.

The concept of sporty elegance, functional design that does not merely follow the trend of the moment but strives for pure performance, and the ultra-light aluminium body are Zagato's strengths which become a universally recognised value. Just as in the 1956, the 250GTZ was showed at the most important concours d'elegance, 50 years later, the 575GTZ will be presented in a world premier at Villa D'Este Concours D'Elegance, Cernobbio (Italy) April 22 th -24th

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Kia Carens MPV 2007

Exclusive pictures of the new seven seater Kia Carens MPV which will be sold in the US as the Rondo is going to make its world premiere at Madrid Motor Show

A day after the official release of the Carens MPV sketch, some very interesting pictures came up, revealing the production form of Kia’s new MPV. Although the pictures show us a more…“sober” MPV than Kia promises us, the European version -Grey coloured car, seems to draw closer to the sketch than the Korean version-purple coloured car. thanks to its restyled front end (lights, bumper & mask).

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Kia Motors has announced its all-new Carens compact MPV (to be named ‘Rondo’ in North America), and confirmed that this model will make its world premiere at the forthcoming “Salon International del Automovil de Madrid”. The Carens will be revealed to the world for the first time at the bi-annual Spanish motor show, held in the capital’s Parque Ferial Juan Carlos 1 exhibition complex from May 25.

Longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, the all-new Kia Carens will be available with seven seats for the first time in Europe. The rear seats fold down flat into the boot floor when not required.

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