BMW PAS — new spy shot
From the “Are they serious?!” file comes a new spy shot of the BMW PAS. The Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) answers the question no one asked: “What would a wagon that’s bigger than a 5-series but smaller than a the 7-series look like?” I thought that’s why the not-so-useful X6 was developed. Honestly, I think BMW is building the PAS just so the “Bangled” designs have something to make them look good.
No Fit hybrid for U.S.
Hybrids, hybrids, HYBRIDS! Every car company seems to not be able to get enough gas/electric cars in its lineup, well except Honda. As it turns out Honda has no current plans to bring the Fit hybrid to the U.S. So while Japan gets a few more miles out of the little car, we’ll have to settle for 28 city/35 hwy mileage.
New rumors of a new Veyron
Early last month we brought you rumors of a replacement for the current Bugatti Veryon as early as 2011. The rumors are now surfacing again along with plans for an even faster version of the 1001 hp supercar. Before VW replaces the current Veyron, there could be a new “Veyron GT” could have as much as top 1200bhp and be capable of 270 mph. At that speed, you may literally not know what hit you.
It seems that Volkswagen really likes having this car as a flagship (or just is a glutton for punishment) because VW reportedly looses money on every $1.5 million Veyron sold.
First Mitsubishi Racing Lancer photos hit the web
Take a first look at the 2009 Mitsubishi Racing Lancer that were revealed by the manufacturer. Specially developed for the 2009 Dakar Rally which will take place in South America, the new Racing Lancer features a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel capable to develop 260 hp and 479-lb/ft of torque.
GM to use solar power at Maryland plant
GM has announced plans to install solar panels on the roof of its White Marsh, Maryland, transmission assembly plant, making it the first North American factory to get them (GM has solar panels on top of its Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California parts warehouses as well.) The plant produces six-speed and Two Mode hybrid transmissions for the company’s light-duty trucks. It will be equipped with over 8,700 solar panels covering 300,000 square feet, which will cut the plant’s electricity bill by 20 percent annually by 2009. The panels will generate about 1.4 million kWh of clean, renewable solar energy, which is equivalent to the demand of about 140 to 150 U.S. households with an average annual consumption of 10,000 kWh, GM said.
Best of all for GM, they are paying nothing for the energy-saving system. SunEdison will finance, install, operate and maintain the system, and will make money by keeping some of the electricity generated.
Mercedes SL63 Amg by Kicherer
Since 1976, Kicherer, the German tuner specialized, has dedicated itself in improving high-end vehicles from Mercedes and Audi. After the Audi RS6 Avant, today the tuner unveiled its customized Mercedes SL63 AMG. Although the car comes already with 525 hp, Kicherer wanted some more. It used ECU tweaking and a new exhaust system for a total increase of 40 hp. With the new improvement the vehicle sprints from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 being with 0.3 seconds faster than the ”standard” version while the top speed is limited to 200 mph.
Lotus Elise by Project Kahn
Lotus recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and in order to bring to its customers more surprises it decided to team up with the British tuner Project Kahn to build a special package for the Lotus Elise.
Russia’s Lada expanding, even going communist (again)
Lada is making a comeback, but you probably didn’t miss it (or know who it is.) Lada is a Russian auto brand that was exported to most of the world in the 80s and 90s, but not the U.S. for obvious reasons.
Nissan GT-R really only makes 480 horsepower, REALLY
Earlier today we had a post about a Car and Driver dyno report on the Nissan GT-R that figures the car is running 520 horsepower. That’s up from Nissan’s claim of only 480 horsepower. In an exclusive interview with TopSpeed, Colin Price, Nissan’s product planning manager of sports cars, clears up the extra horsepower myth. Price was part of the GT-R’s development, and he simply says that the GT-R’s powertrain puts more power on the road.
Top Gear on YouTube, and you’re not stealing!
Haven’t you felt just a little guilty about getting pirated episodes of Top Gear from torrents and YouTube? Well you should have (yeah we’re all guilty,) but now there is a much more legal way to get some of your favorite episodes. Top Gear has officially launched its own channel on YouTube.
Now all you have to do is get some actual work done at the office occasionally.