Auto State: 2007-06-17

Friday, June 22, 2007

Spy Photos: MINI Clubman

Official launch in July. Its public debut is planned for the Frankfurt show in September.

Alfa Romeo 159 Turismo Internazionale

Only a small number of Alfa Romeos have ever carried the famous two-letter designation, TI. Now it’s the turn of the Alfa 159 saloon and Sportwagon to carry the famous TI initials. Short for Turismo Internazionale, the TI badge now appears on several versions. The range-enhancing Alfa 159 TI line-up benefits from a unique body kit, lowered sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, red Brembo brake callipers all-round, plus chrome effect door mirrors and exhaust.
Inside these TI models, electrically adjustable and heated leather front sports seats top the list of interior changes, along with new sports dials, aluminium sports pedals, kick plates and trim inserts. A leather-clad sports steering wheel and gear knob are also included in the sporty specification list.
Drivers can choose from three powerful yet flexible engines. There are two petrol units: a 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS V6; and one diesel option: a 2.4 JTDM plus a choice of manual or QTRONIC gearboxes. In addition, Alfa Romeo’s Q4 4WD system, standard equipment on the 3.2 JTS V6, can also be specified on the diesel version.
And, by offering only three body colours – Alfa Red, Stromboli Grey and Carbonio black – Alfa Romeo is planning to keep the Alfa 159 TI models distinctive and exclusive.
Prices are also suitably attractive, with all this extra equipment costing just £750 more than the top spec Lusso models.

Source: Alfa Romeo

Maserati Granturismo UK Premiere

Over the past two days, a breathtaking spectacle at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls was put on to greet the arrival of Maserati’s latest creation: the GranTurismo. Supermodel and Maserati racing driver Jodie Kidd, clad in a stunning red dress by Salvatore Ferragamo, started the opening night in spectacular fashion: as the lights dimmed, the model, with the use of a key, signalled for the vehicle to be unveiled. The silk sheet that had been draped over the sinuous lines of the Pininfarina designed vehicle was promptly raised and the GranTurismo was free to dazzle the guests.
Managing Director of Maserati GB, Andrea Antonnicola, then presented the new Maserati GranTurismo, while Jodie Kidd posed alongside it as the photographers' flash bulbs lit up the scene.
“I am extremely proud of hosting this UK Premiere of the Maserati GranTurismo – said Antonnicola - a car which has been enthusiastically received worldwide, after its debut at the Geneva Show earlier this year. The GranTurismo continues a tradition of great Maserati grand touring cars, which stretches back to 1946. However, the new GranTurismo is as much of a synthesis of avant-garde design and technical innovation, as it is a product of this rich heritage. And above all it’s a car that confirms the strength of the Maserati brand in 2007.”
The event saw more than 800 guests attend, over two evenings, including Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who arrived at the Royal Horticultural Halls in a Maserati Quattroporte, Vice-president of CNH Global, Eduardo Teodorani Fabbri, financier Arpad Busson, art gallery owner Tim Jeffries and Snatch and Casino Royale actor Ade.
An Executive GT version of the Quattroporte Automatic was also on display, and it was flanked by a 1953 Maserati A6GCS, one of four in the world, also designed by Pininfarina.
The Maserati GranTurismo will go on sale towards the end of the year with a starting price of £78,500 (on the road).
Source: Maserati

Ferrari Dino

Source: Desktop Machine

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ferrari Dino at Frankfurt Auto Show

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

2008 Toyota Highlander

Toyota Announces Prices for All-New 2008 Highlander
TORRANCE, Calif., June 20 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new Highlander mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV).
The 2008 Highlander is significantly larger, roomier and more powerful than the vehicle it replaces. Yet its fuel efficiency will be virtually unchanged. It is noticeably quieter, smarter, with significantly improved versatility and ride comfort. The 2008 Highlander will have one of the most comprehensive lists of standard safety features in it the mid-size SUV class where safety is at the top of purchase considerations.
Highlander will be offered in Base, Sport and Limited grades. All three grades will be powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 with dual independent variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) that delivers an impressive 270 horsepower -- a 55 horsepower gain over the previous generation's 3.3-liter engine.
Highlander has an impressive list of standard safety features. It will provide a segment-leading total of seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows in addition to active headrests for the driver and front passenger.
As with all Toyota SUVs for the last three years, Highlander will provide Toyota's STAR(TM) safety system, featuring: anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and for the first time, enhanced vehicle stability control, with electronic power steering.
For all Sport and Limited models, a stand-alone backup camera with a 3.5-inch LCD multi-information screen, not tied to a navigation system, is standard equipment.
Highlander rides on an all-new chassis derived from the current Camry and Avalon. It is nearly four inches longer and three inches wider, with an inch more ground clearance and three inches of additional wheelbase than the Highlander it replaces.
Highlander's second-row seating flexibility features captain's chairs with armrests that, if needed, can be converted to a bench seat for three passengers. A "Center Stow(TM)" seat, when not in use, is hidden in a compartment under the front center console. In its place, passengers can easily put in the Center Stow(TM)console or choose to leave the area open as a walk-through to the third row. The second row also slides forward and back 4.7 inches and reclines.
Clever and convenient standard features include: a third-row bench seat with foldable headrests for a flat rear cargo area, a rear glass hatch for quick access to the rear cargo area (optional on Base grade), and Smart Key System with Push Button Start for Limited. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels will be standard on both Sport and Limited gas models.
The 2008 Highlander adds significant standard features (all new V6 engine, new five-speed automatic sequential shift transmission, electronic power steering, three-row curtain side airbags, driver's knee airbag, new larger alloy wheels, etc.) with only a modest MSRP increase.
The 2008 Highlander Base grade will carry a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $27,300 for the 4x2 model, an increase of $510, or 1.9 percent over the previous generation Highlander. The Base grade 4x4 will carry a base MSRP of $28,750, an increase of $560 or 2.0 percent.
The base MSRP for the Sport grade will carry a base of $29,950 for the 4x2, an increase of $985, or 3.4 percent. The Sport grade 4x4 will carry a base MSRP of $31,400, an increase of $965, or 3.2 percent.
The MSRP for the top-of-the-line Highlander Limited will be $32,700 for the 4x2, an increase of $1,890 or 6.1 percent. The Limited 4x4 will carry a base MSRP of $34,150, an increase of $1,940 or 6.0 percent. Highlander gas models will go on sale in July with hybrid models reaching Toyota dealers in late September.
Pricing for hybrid models will be announced closer to launch.
The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for the 2008 Highlander was increased by $40 to $685. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.