BMW Top Cars: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

SCOOP: Mystery Chevrolet Small Crossover / MPV Spotted in Europe, What is it?

We�re not quite sure what to make of this new Chevrolet prototype that was caught by our scoop photographers on European roads. The test vehicle appears to be a small or compact MPV in a taller, SUV-esque design with short overhangs and an upright fascia reminiscent of the latest Chevy models. Our man with the long-lens told us that the camouflaged prototype was clearly smaller than the Orlando people mover that�s offered in Europe.

It could be that Chevrolet is working on a new small crossover model based on an extended version of General Motors� Gamma II platform. The same architecture underpins the new Chevy Spark and Aveo / Sonic and will also form the base for the future Opel Corsa and its SUV sibling that is currently under development.

More Screaming Passengers from the 2011 Red Bull Car Drift Event in Lebanon

We don�t know about you, but we certainly enjoyed watching the video of a male passenger freaking out during a ride around a drift course, so we decided to do a little bit of online research to find out what it was all about. We discovered that the joy ride was part of the Red Bull Car Park Drift 2011 event and it took place in Lebanon.

The man behind the steering wheel of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI is 34-year-old Abdo Feghali from Lebanon. He is a professional rally driver who also participates in drift contests and events such as the one organized by Red Bull.
If you liked the first video we showed you, then follow the jump to watch the reactions of the same male passenger, this time sitting at the back between two women (oddly enough no one was wearing seat belts�), as well as some new footage of other people that took a ride including the beautiful lady you see pictured above.
Read more �

Honda Patents New 2012 Civic Sedan and Coupe Designs in Europe

A peek through the European patent office files revealed images of Honda�s freshly launched in North America, 2012 Civic in both four-door sedan and two-door coupe guise. Given that the European market will get its own, bespoke version of the Civic, chances are that Honda simply wanted to cover its back like most of the competition just in case another automaker (we are looking towards you China) got any crazy ideas.
However, it is possible that Honda will offer the four-door saloon model in certain European countries to compete against the Volkswagen Jetta. With the exception of one version of the Civic sedan seen in this set of images and which features slightly modified taillights with additional strips that extend towards the license plate holder, there are no other differences compared to the North American Civic.

June Catalog Cover Photo Shoot

Last month, we coordinated our annual Father's Day cover photo shoot. We could not have done it without our "models," the Wall family.

John Wall of Simi Valley, Ca has been a customer for many years, but a family friend much longer. He and his son, Jeff, brought over a couple of cars for the photo shoot. We were thrilled that John's grandson could participate as well. The love of classic cars is a pastime in our family too.

John owns the 1932 Ford Hi-Boy and 1936 Ford Cabriolet shown on the cover.

And the finished product...Keep an eye out for our Father's Day catalog this June. Thanks again to the Wall men for participating in our catalog.

Big Brother is Watching, Well, All of us: U.S. DoT Seeks to Make Event Data Recorders Mandatory

Australian inventor and all-round genius Dr David Warren is widely considered to be the father of the �black box� Flight Data Recorder (FDR). His invention helped make flying safer by giving investigators valuable insights into the mechanical goings-on of a crashed aircraft. What may surprise you is that for the last twenty years similar devices have been installed in our cars.
Event Data Recorders (EDRs) are the automotive equivalent of an aircraft�s FDR. These devices record acceleration and deceleration forces, engine RPM, temperature, oil pressure and a host of other things. After a crash, the information can be recovered and studied, aiding investigators.

Too Much? Graf Weckerle-Tuned Ferrari 458 Italia

It seems that there is a tune for just about everyone and everything these days, from subtle to extreme, and all points in between. We do not know where exactly this Ferrari 458 Italia from German tuning firm Graf Weckerle fits in that spectrum, but those odd-looking alloy wheels are sure to catch the attention of every passerby.

Audi Design Student Creates the Trimaran Hybrid Yacht

Audi's concept design studio in Munich came up with an interesting proposition for a luxury yacht that would wear the four-ring logo. The Trimaran is the project work of Pforzheim Technical College student Stefanie Behringer, who explains the idea behind the study:
�The Audi Trimaran is a new concept which integrates two jet skis in a motorboat. The hull architecture is based on a trimaran, consisting of a main center hull supported by two smaller outrigger hulls. Two jet skis are stored inside pods in the outriggers. The main boat is powered by two lightweight and efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, whereas the jet skis are electrically-driven,� said Behringer.

Honda Canada Hacked: 250,000+ Customers Affected By Security Breach

Less than a month after Sony�s Playstation Network was compromised by hackers seeking personal information, a similar mishap has struck the Canadian arm of Honda / Acura. In a notice to its customers, the Japanese automaker revealed:
�The incident involved the unauthorized access of information as held in our records in 2009, specifically name, address, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and in a small number of cases, Honda Financial Services account numbers.�
It is believed that as many as 283,321 have been affected by the security breach. Honda Canada Executive VP Jerry Chenkin released a statement saying: �The information was limited and is not typically used for the purposes of identity theft or fraud. We would like to sincerely apologize to our Canadian customers for this incident. Honda and Acura are working diligently to protect our customers' personal information and improve our data security procedures on an ongoing basis.�

Renault's French Dealers Offering 45 Percent Discounts on Clio to Offset Plummeting Sales

The Renault brand�s sales are down 35 percent since May 1 in France and this has forced local dealers to offer hefty discounts to customers on certain models, a French radio station reported. According to the BFM radio station quoted by Reuters, dealers are offering discounts as high as 45 percent on some versions of the Clio supermini. For instance, certain dealers are selling the Clio for �7,990 ($11,400), even though the factory sticker is �14,100 ($20,120).

Take that Goodwood: Vilner�s Mini Cooper S Inspired by Bentley

The BMW Group�s decision to launch a new posh version of the Mini hatch called �Mini Inspired by Goodwood� motivated Bulgarian design studio Vilner to develop its own luxed-up variant of the British supermini. However, while the Goodwood model received the Rolls Royce touch, Vilner�s proposal tries to emulate a Bentley � at least in the interior.

Even though Vilner has baptized the car �The Italian Job� as homage to the famous movie, for obvious reasons, a more appropriate name would have been �Mini Inspired by Crewe�. The Bulgarian company has dressed the Mini hatchback�s interior with fine materials such as brown Nappa leather and Alcantara, with parts of the seats, door panels, dashboard and roof lining featuring a diamond shape theme. In addition, the doors have gained elements of black leather while the original plastic was re-sprayed in a sparkling gray finish.

Loder1899 Tunes Into the New 2012 Ford Focus Hatch

The all-new Ford Focus has barely launched in Europe but the German aftermarket specialists at Loder1899 have already created a dedicated tuning package. The company dresses the new compact hatchback with numerous carbon-fiber elements such as the front spoiler lip, matching side skirts installed on the door sills and an RS-style rear apron with an integrated air diffuser.

EVO Takes Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 for a Spin Around the Track

Continuing our video finds on the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, here is a film from EVO magazine�s encounter with the brawny Italian supercar at the Vallelunga race track near Rome in Italy. After jumping into the driver�s seat and onto the circuit for a few quick rounds, EVO�s Harry Metcalfe concludes that the Murcielago�s successor is a �real game changer� and possibly the �best super sports car in the world right now�.
Follow the break to see Lamborghini�s V12-powered Aventador LP700-4 on the track, and then weigh in with your own thoughts in comments section below.

Tesla will show us the Model X prototype by the end of the year

Tesla revealed plans to end production of the Tesla Roadster this December in a filing that it submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. However, the remaining inventory of Tesla Roadsters will continue to sell in the first half of 2012. Tesla also said that it will unveil a prototype of the Model X crossover by the end of 2011, according to InsideLine. Tesla said that the Model X is functional like a minivan but will have the appeal of a sports-utility vehicle.

It also said that the electric powertrain designed for the Tesla Roadster offers the �foundational technology for the Model S, the Model X and for electric powertrain components� that Tesla has �has begun selling to Daimler and its affiliates that (Tesla) intends to sell to Toyota." In late 2010, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the Model X, a battery-powered crossover, will be introduced in 2014 � roughly two years after the midsize Model S sedan is scheduled to be launched in the middle of 2012. Last summer, Tesla told investors (before the IPO) that it plans to make four derivatives from the Model S platform. The midsize sedan is the initial car.

A convertible, a van, and a crossover/SUV will follow. Tesla implies in its latest SEC filing that the Model X is the product of combining plans for the van and the crossover. The filing also states that Tesla needs funds to develop the Model X and so it plans to offer 5.3 million shares more to the public. Tesla has shipped about 1,650 Tesla Roadsters to over 31 countries. With regards to the Model S sedan, Tesla said that several �drivable prototypes� have already been completed and that deliveries will start in mid-2012. [via - 4wheelsnews]

Chevrolet to introduce Captiva SUV in Japan in an attempt to boost sales

It appears that Chevrolet has some big plans for he Japanese market as it is returning to Japan with its first SUV in three years. The American manufacturer is betting on the mid-sized Captiva in order to extend the brand�s image beyond sports cars and boost its sales on the market. According to Automotive News, the three-row, seven-seat Chevrolet Captiva will go on sale in Japan on July 30. The model was introduced in Europe this spring and it was largely engineered by GM�s South Korea�s unit.

The Japanese version will also be manufactured in South Korea, as the vehicle uses the same Theta platform found on cars such as Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac SRX. The Chevrolet Captiva will only be offered in a top-trim package and pricing will start at �3.54 million (or $43,300), which means the same level as the car offered by rivals such as the Toyota Vanguard and Mitsubishi Outlander.

For those who don�t know, the Chevrolet brand is known in Japan for cars such as the Corvette and Camaro, but the American brand want to expand its lineup and improve sales with new models. The last SUV offered by Chevrolet on the Japanese market was the TrailBlazer, back in 2008. [via - 4wheelsnews]