Auto Technology News

With a public debut at SEMA in November, Wald International, Japan's main tuner of premium vehicles of both Japanese and European marques, has formally released information and mouth watering photos regarding the W216 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, their newest tuning program. The program consists of a front spoiler, side steps, rear skirt, roof and trunk spoiler, sports fender ducts and exhaust system. Wald has also developed brake system with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston in the rear. With orders pouring in from all over the world, deliveries begin January 2008. However, some things are worth the wait. Check out the brain melting photos below. For more information: Wald International

With a public debut at SEMA in November, Wald International, Japan's main tuner of premium vehicles of both Japanese and European marques, has formally released information and mouth watering photos regarding the W216 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, their newest tuning program. The program consists of a front spoiler, side steps, rear skirt, roof and trunk spoiler, sports fender ducts and exhaust system. Wald has also developed brake system with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston in the rear. With orders pouring in from all over the world, deliveries begin January 2008. However, some things are worth the wait. Check out the brain melting photos below. For more information: Wald International

Not official but very likely Peugeot leadership changed in early November and the reigns are now in Christian Streiff's hands. The former Airbus CEO is a confident man and his decisions (will) reflect that, with the first of those decisions being the Peugeot 308 RC-Z going into production. MotorLegend claims to have good reason to believe that Magna Steyr in Austria will build the Audi TT competitor, but PSA has not released an official statement in the matter so Bertone, Karmann and Heuliez might still snatch the order up. The 308 RC-Z is based on the PF2 platform, also found under the Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4. For now the 308 RC-Z is powered by the 207 RC 1.6 liter THC engine producing 218 hp, an additional 43 hp over the 207 RC, but it is safe to assume more engines will be made available. The 308 RC-Z weighs a respectable 1,200 kg , mainly due to weight saving tricks like using aluminium suspension components, carbon fibre trim and a polycarbonate rear window. Motor

Not official but very likely Peugeot leadership changed in early November and the reigns are now in Christian Streiff's hands. The former Airbus CEO is a confident man and his decisions (will) reflect that, with the first of those decisions being the Peugeot 308 RC-Z going into production. MotorLegend claims to have good reason to believe that Magna Steyr in Austria will build the Audi TT competitor, but PSA has not released an official statement in the matter so Bertone, Karmann and Heuliez might still snatch the order up. The 308 RC-Z is based on the PF2 platform, also found under the Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4. For now the 308 RC-Z is powered by the 207 RC 1.6 liter THC engine producing 218 hp, an additional 43 hp over the 207 RC, but it is safe to assume more engines will be made available. The 308 RC-Z weighs a respectable 1,200 kg , mainly due to weight saving tricks like using aluminium suspension components, carbon fibre trim and a polycarbonate rear window. Motor

Will he or won't he? Now Bob Lutz is stepping aside from a published interview suggesting the long-time automotive industry executive is contemplating retirement around 2010. Lutz made an about-face when he sent an e-mail to Automotive News saying, "Read my lips: I am not thinking retirement." In an interview with the Associated Press, the GM VP told the news wire, "I'd like to see the Volt launched because I think that is an absolutely critical product." Lutz criticized the original article in his e-mail by saying, "Unfortunately, this was misinterpreted as a statement that I would retire at the end of 2010. While this remains a possibility, it is not 'a plan'!" The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be released in 2010. Lutz may be backtracking from his statement because of the impact his sudden announcement of a desire to retire had on GM's stock price. GM shares closed down $0.15 (-0.55%), but had traded at a loss of $0.94 at one po

Will he or won't he? Now Bob Lutz is stepping aside from a published interview suggesting the long-time automotive industry executive is contemplating retirement around 2010. Lutz made an about-face when he sent an e-mail to Automotive News saying, "Read my lips: I am not thinking retirement." In an interview with the Associated Press, the GM VP told the news wire, "I'd like to see the Volt launched because I think that is an absolutely critical product." Lutz criticized the original article in his e-mail by saying, "Unfortunately, this was misinterpreted as a statement that I would retire at the end of 2010. While this remains a possibility, it is not 'a plan'!" The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be released in 2010. Lutz may be backtracking from his statement because of the impact his sudden announcement of a desire to retire had on GM's stock price. GM shares closed down $0.15 (-0.55%), but had traded at a loss of $0.94 at one po

10 high res images Even though Land Rover has sent out numerous friendly head crushing threats to most car sites, German print magazine Auto Motor und Sport editors seem to have not received the memo yet and released the full press release and all images six days before the 18 Dec embargo lift. So what is new for the Land Rover Coupe SUV a la BMW X6. The SUV measures 4,35 m in length and 1,55 m in height, that is 7 cm shorter and 12 cm lower than the Freelander body on which it is based. The motorshow concept will ride on 20 inch wheels and have just 13 cm of ground clearance. The LRX shows some very strong lines with the long doors, steeply rising waistline and sloping roof line. Passengers will have quite a view from the SUV Coupe with a glass roof. Inside the concept you will find plenty of two-tone leather and polished aluminium, four individual seats, an extended center console and a fridge. The cockpit features two touch-screens and only few switches, of which the 4wd d

10 high res images Even though Land Rover has sent out numerous friendly head crushing threats to most car sites, German print magazine Auto Motor und Sport editors seem to have not received the memo yet and released the full press release and all images six days before the 18 Dec embargo lift. So what is new for the Land Rover Coupe SUV a la BMW X6. The SUV measures 4,35 m in length and 1,55 m in height, that is 7 cm shorter and 12 cm lower than the Freelander body on which it is based. The motorshow concept will ride on 20 inch wheels and have just 13 cm of ground clearance. The LRX shows some very strong lines with the long doors, steeply rising waistline and sloping roof line. Passengers will have quite a view from the SUV Coupe with a glass roof. Inside the concept you will find plenty of two-tone leather and polished aluminium, four individual seats, an extended center console and a fridge. The cockpit features two touch-screens and only few switches, of which the 4wd d

Ugly in white Camaro5 forum reader NVMY68SS posted the attached image yesterday, a day after the Camaro was spotted in Australia during testing. Even though the image quality is rather low, it does speak more than a thousand words. Camaro fans on the forum all agree that this prototype looks the part (besides the colour) and are expecting more images to surface. The thin, futuristic side mirrors have made room for what look like temporary side mirrors, while the rear fender has lost its air vents. The prototype also shows a B-pillar, which was not there on the concept while the belt-line has been softened a great deal from the concept's hard lines. The wheels look like they belong so it seems only too likely that this prototype is as production-ready as we're going to see before its public debut.

Ugly in white Camaro5 forum reader NVMY68SS posted the attached image yesterday, a day after the Camaro was spotted in Australia during testing. Even though the image quality is rather low, it does speak more than a thousand words. Camaro fans on the forum all agree that this prototype looks the part (besides the colour) and are expecting more images to surface. The thin, futuristic side mirrors have made room for what look like temporary side mirrors, while the rear fender has lost its air vents. The prototype also shows a B-pillar, which was not there on the concept while the belt-line has been softened a great deal from the concept's hard lines. The wheels look like they belong so it seems only too likely that this prototype is as production-ready as we're going to see before its public debut.

Supercharged to 465 hp The holiday season is almost upon us, and most people will spend this time with their families, friends or loved ones. But not everybody can be where they want to be, and in particular military personel. In order to salute the US army troops, Saleen is launching a limited edition American Flag model which will go on sale Decemer 25. Saleen has built 24 units, of which 8 red, 8 white and 8 blue, with unique graphics, a 465 supercharged engine, tuned suspension and 20 inch wheels for just under USD 50,000. "We wanted to take time during the holiday season to honor the men and women that serve our country at home and abroad," said Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. Saleen initially got the idea from troops stationed in Iraq who bought themselves a Saleen Mustang in order to reward themselves. Press Release Saleen Automotive, America's premier niche automotive manufacturer salutes the American military with the production of t

Supercharged to 465 hp The holiday season is almost upon us, and most people will spend this time with their families, friends or loved ones. But not everybody can be where they want to be, and in particular military personel. In order to salute the US army troops, Saleen is launching a limited edition American Flag model which will go on sale Decemer 25. Saleen has built 24 units, of which 8 red, 8 white and 8 blue, with unique graphics, a 465 supercharged engine, tuned suspension and 20 inch wheels for just under USD 50,000. "We wanted to take time during the holiday season to honor the men and women that serve our country at home and abroad," said Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. Saleen initially got the idea from troops stationed in Iraq who bought themselves a Saleen Mustang in order to reward themselves. Press Release Saleen Automotive, America's premier niche automotive manufacturer salutes the American military with the production of t

Swivel action The Nissan FORUM Concept is still on collission course with the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January. Nissan is milking the FORUM for all its worth and has released a third sketch of the concept car. This time we get a first glimpse of the backseats, or as Jalopnik endearingly calls is ' hot backseat action '. The front row remains stationary while the second row is able to swivel around full circle to 'connect' with the thrid row with what Nissan calls Turbtable Seating . Nissan has separated the interior into two distinct sections, a front driver's zone (as expected) and a rear kids' zone Stay tuned for full details and live shots from NAIAS.

Swivel action The Nissan FORUM Concept is still on collission course with the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January. Nissan is milking the FORUM for all its worth and has released a third sketch of the concept car. This time we get a first glimpse of the backseats, or as Jalopnik endearingly calls is ' hot backseat action '. The front row remains stationary while the second row is able to swivel around full circle to 'connect' with the thrid row with what Nissan calls Turbtable Seating . Nissan has separated the interior into two distinct sections, a front driver's zone (as expected) and a rear kids' zone Stay tuned for full details and live shots from NAIAS.