BRABUS again wins Best Brand in Auto Motor Und Sport Tuner Division

If BRABUS ever started a football team (as in FOOTBALL–not that sissy soccer stuff) the word “Dynasty” would be floating around town about now.

For the fourth consecutive year, ‘Auto Motor Und Sport’ (’Auto Motor and Sport” for those who don’t know German) has named the makers of matte-black Mercs the world over the 2009 ‘BEST BRAND’ in the ‘Tuners’ category. Readers were asked to select those tuners whose products they felt were particularly convincing, and after all the ballots were tallied, BRABUS had won more than half of the vote–52.9% to be precise.

This, of course, is nothing new for BRABUS CEO Bodo Buschmann, who took the opportunity, after clearing off a new space in his trophy case, to give the media the ol’ humble acceptance speech shtick, saying this award is, “more than just an honor. It is also the ultimate motivation for us at BRABUS to continue to develop high-performance automobiles and tuning components that meet and exceed the high expectations our customers, the media, and the general public place on us.”

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder: Car Review by Automobile Magazine

At 12,198 feet, Mount Teide might be the highest point in all of the territories that comprise Spain and one of the main tourist sites in the Canary Islands.

But on this particular Thursday in March, at the parking lot of the viewing center nestled in the volcanic rock near its summit, El Teide is definitely a second-string attraction for the tourists milling about. That's because the mountain, which last erupted in 1909, has been upstaged by the fleet of 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyders that just came roaring in. A single example of the ragtop version of the revised Gallardo coupe that debuted last year would garner attention wherever it went, even if it were painted generic silver. But what we have here at the top of Tenerife is a flotilla of more than a dozen Gallardo Spyders painted dayglow yellow, electric lime green, brilliant blue, matte black, and crisp white with black wheels, among other eye-popping shades. The cabins are just as colorful and enticing, every inch of them lined with exquisitely detailed leather. (Our favorite? Pearlescent white paint over rich, dark brown hides. Scrumptious.)

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Cuts Prices to Compete with the 2010 Honda Insight

March 17 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest automaker, may cut the price of its Prius gasoline- electric hybrid car in Japan to match Honda Motor *** Insight.

Toyota spokesman Yuta Kaga declined to confirm or deny a Nikkei newspaper report today that said the starting price of the Prius will be cut to 1.89 million yen ($19,250) from 2.33 million yen. The Insight hybrid, which went on sale in Japan last month, starts at 1.89 million yen.

Toyota later this year plans to introduce a revamped Prius with higher mileage and more power than the current model and the Insight. Both automakers are betting on fuel-efficient models as governments worldwide tighten emission standards

Toyota debuts Scion iQ at New York Auto Show

NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 -- At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.

Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.

Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function.

“Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.”

The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.

With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.

Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.

“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”

The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.

The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible.

The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish.

The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique.

A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.

The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy.

Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom.

Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.

The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world's first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.
# # #


SCION iQ CONCEPT VEHICLE

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
Engine:
1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i

Horsepower:
93 hp

Torque:
89 lb.-ft.

Drivetrain:
Front wheel drive

DIMENSIONS (inches)

Overall Length:
126.9

Overall Width:
71.4 without side mirrors
79.3 including side mirrors

Overall Height:
56.9 without antenna
62.5 including antenna

Wheelbase:
78.7

Seating Capacity:
3+1

MODIFICATIONS

Exhaust:
Five Axis custom stainless exhaust

Wheels:
Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish prototyped by MetalFX
18x8.5 ET03

Tires:
Yokohama S.drive
2.5/40R18

Suspension:
TEIN Super Street coilover suspension

Body:
Five Axis widebody conversion
Burnt nickel accents
Custom accented headlights and taillights


Press release via Toyota/Scion

Toyota A-BAT Concept Aero Truck Not Coming Soon - Toyota Cancels Production

Call it another victim of the economic downturn. When asked if the Toyota A-BAT concept was still under consideration for production, Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales USA vice president and general manager replied "We have a lot of top priorities right now, and A-BAT isn't one of them."

Toyota introduced the A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) at the 2008 Detroit auto show as a potential design for a compact pickup in the U.S. It featured a unibody construction like the Honda Ridgeline and was powered by a hybrid powertrain. It was believed last year that Toyota had already green-lighted A-BAT production.

No reason was sighted for Toyota's choice to pause the A-BAT program.

2009 Mercedes Benz 300SL Panamericana is the Next Gen Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

Arturo Alonso and his company Gullwing America are working on the ‘rebirth’ of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. Known as the 2009 300 SL Panamericana, the model is based on a reproduction made by Gullwing AG - who produces the closest model you can get to the real 300 SL.

Power comes from a 5.5L V8 M-133-55 engine that is used on the SLR and other AMG models. The engine will be mated to a speedtronic transmission and has been retuned to produce 370-hp with a maximum torque of 391 lb-ft. In 2010 Gullwing America will also offer a V6 M-272-E35 unit that produces 320-hp and a peak torque of 266 lb-ft.

The 2009 SL Panamericana will be painted silver with blue accents.

Best Cars for 2009 (In No Particular Order

Cadillac CTS-V
Coming in great style and power, Cadillac CTS-V is one of the best cars of 2009. A great car on the roads, Cadillac CTS-V is laser fine and has a powerful V8 engine which displays a hose power of 556 hp. It runs 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The genteel look and a super engine make it a top class car of 2009.

Honda Fit
When talking about the best cars of 2009, one cannot miss Honda Fit, which comes in great fuel efficiency. A car of the new generation, Honda Fit gives a comfortable travelling. You can take the car for long drives with all your family members and the luggage, as the Honda Fit is so spacious. Very reasonably priced, the Honda Fit is equipped with a quite powerful engine that gives back fuel economy.