1937 Bugatti Type 57S Sells for $4.4 million at Paris Auction

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante that was recently discovered forgotten in a garage in the UK has sold for about $4.4 million.

Hailed as one of the last great garage discoveries, the Bugatti was found locked in the garage of a reclusive Newcastle doctor after his death, along with an Aston Martin and a Jaguar E-Type. The Type 57S Atalante went under the hammer at the Paris Bonhams Retromobile auction on February 7, and the final selling price was 3,417,500 euros.

One of just seventeen examples, the car was originally owned by Earl Howe, the first president of the British Racing Drivers Club. Registered DKY 5, the Bugatti was a familiar sight in the local sports-car scene, and passed through a few owners until Dr. Harold Carr ended up purchasing it in 1955. It was in his garage that the car sat after it was mothballed in the early 1960s until it was unearthed in 2007.

The Type 57S was a sportier incarnation of the Type 57, with a high-performance engine and a shortened, low-slung frame and de Ram shock absorbers. Type 57S racers won the A.C.F., la Marne and Comminges Grand Prix races in 1936 and at Le Mans in 1937.
The identity of the Type 57S' new owner has not been disclosed.

Source: autoweek

O.CT Boehler Concept BS3

O.CT Tuning is getting ready to show off this predominantly white three-door hatch dubbed the Boehler concept.BS3. The car is based on an Audi S3 quattro and as it can be partially noted from the pictures, some changes have been implemented. Among these are a blaring sport exhaust system that features an improved air intake system, 8-piston brakes with 372mm discs and Yokohama Advan Sport tyres 245/30 R 20 and 255/30 R 20. They are supported by a fully adjustable O.CT coilover suspension.

The exterior features widened rear fenders, an aerodynamically-designed rear bumper, a rear air diffuser and stainless steel tailpipes. The engine bay, battery and air intake have been covered in carbon fiber for that extra sporting touch.

Making the BS3 go forward is a 328hp (241kW) tweaked engine that also makes maximum torque of 425Nm. The BS3's makers say it will achieve the 0 - 100km/h time almost a whole second quicker than the standard Audi S3. The top speed is 265km/h.

O.CT Tuning will only build 100 units of the BS3 at a price of about €67,000 (US$86,100) each.

Source: autoblog.nl

Car Lands on Church Roof in Spectacular Crash

German police are investigating the cause of an accident which left a car suspended nearly 25 feet off the ground, halfway through the roof of a church. How somebody managed to put a station wagon into the church rafters is still undetermined.

The accident took place in Limbach-Oberfrohna, just outside of Chemnitz, Germany. Police believe the 23-year-old driver was racing through the center of town when he lost control of his Skoda Octavia, careened off an embankment, and wound up wedged in the church seven meters up.

One police officer told reporters at the scene, "the driver took off due to unexplained circumstances, flew some 30 meters through the air and ended up seven meters up in the church roof."

Investigators believe the car's speed led to the driver missing a turn. Just how the vehicle went airborne is still a bit of a mystery. "I've never seen anything like it," continued Officer Knut Wagner.

The driver of the Skoda Octavia was extracted from the vehicle, and transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Damage to the vehicle has been estimated at €10,000. Meanwhile, the town's church was badly damaged from the accident, but the cost of the damage has yet to be assessed. Investigators have requested the assistance of physicists in the accident reconstruction.

At its most powerful, a stock Skoda Octavia can get up to 197 hp and 207 ft-lb of torque from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder 16-valve TFSI vRS engine. With that engine, and no other tuning, it has a top speed of 150mph, and a 0-60mph time of about seven seconds.

In a statement released earlier today, Chemnitz police said that the officers “must have thought they were looking at a movie.” Remarking on reports that claim the car missed a bend, crashed through a railing, and plowed into an embankment, they said, “The embankment worked like a ski jump.”

Police and medical workers will carry out testing on a blood sample taken from the driver to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident.

Source: spiegel.de

Dodge Challenger by KW

We all know the new Dodge Challenger is a big hit in the States, but the car has shown a steady following from European tuners. This particular car comes from German tuner KW and shows how the company's suspension can turn the standard car's mediocre ride quality into something special.

The car features a hydraulic suspension that offers an improved ride with the ability to lower the ride height almost instantly thanks to a push of a button. It works in conjunction with KW's coil-over struts in order to provide superior handling and enhanced road feel. Other changes include 22-inch HRE wheels outfitted with low profile tires and slick Lamborghini-style scissor doors.


Source: http://www.americar.de/

Chrysler bailout going to Terminator 4 sponsorship deal

Chrysler LLC has announced a sponsorship deal with the makers of Terminator: Salvation, but refused to disclose the cost of the deal. In a move that is certain to upset many, the financially strapped company is ponying up what little cash they have to see their cars featured in short cameos during Terminator 4.

The American automaker recently received $4 billion in a taxpayer-funded government bailout. Chrysler was reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy, and would not have been able to pay their suppliers without the loan. Still in a dangerous position, the privately-owned company cut over a third of their employees.

Chrysler was shut out of many product placement deals recently. General Motors inked a deal with The Transformers live-action films. Ford got in on the action with their Knight Rider deal, featuring a Mustang, Flex, and F-150.

But those deals were made before the economy took a nosedive, and before a bailout of the auto industry was even considered. Critics of the deal think Chrysler's cash is better spent elsewhere, especially since the company's products are already well-known by the public. A better use of the bailout funds may be to directly market their cars and trucks to potential customers based on the merits of those vehicles, and not by product placement in a sci-fi/action flick.

"This spring, Terminator 4 comes out and we will be one of the sponsors," said Chrysler media director Susan Thomson. In her presentation at the Automotive News World Congress, she said, "We have a following with the Terminator movies and we are going to continue with that."

Only time will tell if Chrysler's marketing strategy will work. Terminator:Salvation, starring Christian Bale, opens in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and South Korea on May 22, with other markets worldwide getting the film soon after.

Chrysler will likely ask for an additional $3 billion in federally backed loans when they present their restructuring plan next month.

Source: Reuters

Fiat and Chrysler in partnership talks

Chrysler, the poster child for the automotive apocalypse, has decided to keep the rumor mill working overtime as Automotive News Europe is reporting that the company is currently in negotiations with Fiat. Unlike previous reports it appears the two are working on creating a platform sharing agreement instead of a merger or acquisition of Chrysler or one of its brands.

Chrysler appears to be interested in gaining from Fiat's vast experience with small and midsize vehicle production and design, something that Chrysler has continually faulted at. If such an agreement were to be reached, it could provide Chrysler with a variety of small fuel efficient vehicles that could go into production relatively fast.

Domestic rivals, GM and Ford, have tapped into their European vehicle portfolio in order to bring efficient models such as the Fiesta and Astra to the US quickly, with more expected in the near future. This should help them meet the new fuel economy requirements that are expected to be packaged into any future government loan package as well as providing them with insurance against a sudden spike in gasoline prices which would result in a run on smaller more fuel efficient models. Chrysler lacks a specific European model lineup, so a partnership with Fiat has the potential to make a lot of sense, especially considering the subpar Dodge Caliber and Chrysler Sebring.

While it is unclear what specifics are being discussed, Fiat would most likely be interested in gaining access to Chrysler's dealer network and production capacity, something Chrysler currently has too much. Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne had previously stated that he wanted to bring the Fiat 500 to the United States but would only consider doing so if it could be produced locally.

Chrysler currently has an agreement with Nissan to introduce a version of the Nissan Versa to the United States in 2010, just two years after it went on sale as the Dodge Trazo in South America. Meanwhile Chrysler recently announced that it had ended negotiations with Chery to build a Dodge mini-car in China for global consumption.

Source: Autonews.com

Tokyo Motor Show Still On

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show will not be cancelled, according to the organization that hosts the showcase. The announcement was made in response to an Automotive News article suggesting the economic crisis would put an end to this year's show.

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association spokesman Nobuyuki Takahashi acknowledged the group has discussed a cancellation, because several automakers missed the registration deadline for the show. Later, it was announced that the Big Three automakers, Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors, would not display vehicles from their brands at the biannual event.

Due to the global financial state, Ferrari, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Suzuki all cancelled appearances at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The same may not be true for Tokyo, with reports suggesting that every major Japanese and German brand has already registered for the event.

However, Takahashi pointed out that JAMA executive Toshihiro Iwatake flat out rejected preemptively ending the exhibition when interviewed by Automotive News. In that interview, Iwatake said that, "a couple companies are not in favor of organizing the show under these conditions, but that is not JAMA's opinion."

Takahashi told the Associated Press that the show will go forward as planned, with or without the American companies. He said no schedule changes for the show show have been made.

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show will take place at the Makuhari Messe hall in Chiba, Japan, beginning October 23, with manufacturer press conferences starting two days earlier.

Source: www.worldcarfans.com

Pagani Zonda R Officially Unveiled... Finally!

One of the most desirable supercars on the planet just got even better. The Pagani brand has finally brought out the Zonda R which is the ultimate racing Pagani that owners can drive on the road too. While it may not look it at first glance, the Zonda R shares only about 10% of its components with the Zonda F. that means from the start it was designed for its own unique purpose.

As one would expect, persuading the Zonda R forward is an engine sourced from Mercedes-Benz's AMG division. It's the 6.0-litre V12 powerplant found in the racing CLK GTR that has successfully competed in GT championships. It's angled at 60 degrees, light in weight and produces humongous figures of 750hp (552kW) and 710Nm of torque. The gearbox is a 6-speed sequential model that sends power to slick tyres. Lubrication is a dry sump with a separate oil tank.

Further differentiating itself from other Paganis, the Zonda R has had its wheelbase increased by 47mm, overall length is up by 394mm while the track increased by 50mm. Bodywork was optimised to increase downforce even at low speeds, while an aerodynamic package of a bonnet with flaps, adjustable rear wing, and rear diffuser give the car exceptional cornering ability. While the car corners the driver is sitting comfortably inside a cabin that hugs and gives him a sense of stability and safety.

Source: www.worldcarfans.com

Report - Bugatti Veyron Production Run Almost Sold Out

You know you're an exclusive automaker when you make only 73 units per year of a certain model and that's okay with you.

That is the number of Bugatti Veyron's the ultra-luxury automaker delivered for 2008. And they are nearly done with the model series as a whole.

The luxury brand had committed from the beginning to make only 300 Veyrons. Bugatti has also built about 25-30 special editions, including five Hermes Veyrons. And, according to Bugatti spokesman Georges Keller, there are only 50 copies left of the 1.8 million euro supercar. Once those are sold the company will move on.

Move on, that is, to make 150 Grand Sport editions, which is an open-top version of the Veyron.
It isn't known if those 150 Grand Sport have already sold but a good bet is that most of them will be on order by the time it goes into production in March. Current Veyron owners will have dibs on the Grand Sport before others are allowed to buy. Exclusivity, with a price tag of 1.8 million euros, has its little perks.

Source: autotelegraaf

Production Fisker Karma Debuts in Detroit

Luxury plug-in hybrid the Fisker Karma has been unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

The Karma, a four-door, four-seat luxury sports sedan, comes to us courtesy of Fisker Automotive, which touts itself as an "American manufacturer of premium green automobiles." The Karma is an extended-range plug-in hybrid, which means it runs solely on electric power but includes a gasoline engine as a generator. Fisker claims a stunning 100 mpg (or 2.35 liter per 100 km) mileage for the Karma.

The technology is called Q-DRIVE and was developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker. It features two 210 hp electric motors on the rear axle powered by a lithium-ion battery. A 2.0 liter, turbo-charged 4-cylinder direct-injection Ecotec with 260 hp acts as a generator to resupply power to the battery for extended-range capabilities. The Karma can run up to 50 miles (80 km) on electric power alone and can be recharged from any electrical outlet. With the gasoline engine, the Karma's range is upped to 300 miles (480 km).

Construction of the Karma will be done by Finnish firm Valmet Automotive for Fisker. Fisker Automotive says about 1,000 Karmas have already been pre-ordered by customers.
The Fisker Karma will sell for 87,900 US retail but the price tag is reduced to 80,400 dollars after US government tax credits are factored in.

Fisker is currently assembling retail partners which is plans to announce in the coming months. First deliveries are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Source: Fisker Automotive

BYD announces F3DM hybrid and e6 EV models for US Market in 2011

Chinese automaker BYD Auto has announced it is planning to enter the US market in 2011 and will be then launching a product line of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

The first two models BYD plans on introducing are the F3DM, the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid sedan and the e6, a battery-powered mid-sized crossover with a single-charge range of 250 miles (400 km).

Speaking ambitiously on the floor of the Detroit auto show, Wang Chuanfu, President and Chariman of BYD Auto, said that the company would also be setting up manufacturing in the US "when it is appropriate".

BYD claims its Fe battery technology has a quick-charge capacity to 50 percent power in only 10 minutes. The battery also has a life cycle of more than 10 years.

The Fe battery will also be used in BYD's mid-size F6DM sedan, a plug-in hybrid. Plug-in hybrids can run on pure electrical power until the battery runs out when a gasoline engine kicks in and acts as a generator to create more power for the battery.

Lending confidence to BYD's prospects in the US market is legendary billionaire investor Warren Buffett. Last year the energy division of his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, MidAmerican Energy Holdings, acquired a 10 percent stake in BYD Auto.

Source: BYD

Japanese automakers consider cancelling Tokyo motor show

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association (JAMA) may cancel this year's Tokyo motor show due to a lack of participating car makers.

According to JAMA, many automakers have missed the deadline to register for the show. The association says that all the German automakers and Japanese members of JAMA have already registered. JAMA won't say which manufacturers haven't yet but said it will welcome late registrants.

JAMA says its official position is to go ahead with the show anyway but that some domestic companies are saying it should not be held under such bad conditions.

"We think the motor show is a symbol of industrial prosperity," said Toshihiro Iwatake, the man who heads JAMA. "We have to show that our industry is healthy," he is quoted as saying in the story.

Iwatake says he would rather hold a smaller show than have none at all and that a decision on whether to cancel the show for this year will be made next month.

He also doesn't want Japanese industry to signal a sign of decline. He worries that if the show is canceled Europeans and Americans will say,"'Oh, Japan is sinking and the Chinese are up.'"

The Tokyo Motor Show is set to run from October 21 to November 8. If the show does take place, the theme for 2009 will be "Fun driving for us, eco driving for earth."

Source: Automotive News (sub required)

Fisker Karma production version first photos prior to NAIAS debut

We got an advanced look at the Fisker Karma, a new four-door plug-in hybrid sports sedan. Fisker will present the car at the North American International Auto Show at 1:10pm Detroit time.

Fisker Automotive is a partnership between Fisker Coachbuild, a company which released the SL55 AMG-based Fisker Tramonto, and Quantum Technologies, an expert in hybrid powertrains. The Fisker Karma is their first vehicle produced as a joint venture.

And it is most certainly a beautiful machine. No surprise here, since the team behind Fisker designed the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, as well as the BMW Z8 Roadster. The Karma's body is made mostly out of aluminum, and is shaped to be roughly the same lenth as a Mercedes CLS, wide as a BMW 7-series, and tall as a Porsche 911.

This may sound like an odd combination, but Fisker may be on to something. The powertrain team was in on the design from the start, insuring the Karma's battery pack would be able to be mounted at the dead center point between the two axels.

Also available on the exterior is a solar-panel roof. The roof would be dual-purpose: providing daytime charging for the vehicle, but also running the climate control when the Karma is parked. This way, the car will never get incredibly hot inside when it waits under the sun.

The sports car also can travel up to 50 miles on battery power alone. The plug-in system works in tandem with a small, gasoline engine that powers a generator, delivering more energy to the electric motor. This electric motor gets the Karma from 0-60mph in under six seconds, and reaches a top speed of 125 mph. It reaches maximum torque immediately, enabling good acceleration on the rear-wheel-drive car. Regenerative brakes also store energy normally lost through braking and deceleration.

Inside, the owner finds lots of luggage space, as well as a spacious interior compartment, even for the rear passengers. Each passenger gets their own "first class" seat, while those sitting in back are treated to a DVD system. Sat-nav is also included.

Of the car, CEO Henrik Fisker said. "Our hope is that the Fisker Karma will be the start of a new trend in the automotive business – less concession with more efficiency."

The Karma is slated for a 15,000 production run, with the first 99 being signed and numbered by Henrik Fisker. That first set of cars will also have the same trim and color as the vehicle on display today at the NAIAS.

The new Fisker Karma has a base price of $80,000, and goes on sale today at their stand in Detroit. Delivery will begin at the end of this year.

Source: Fisker Automotive

Fisker Karma S Unveiled

Fisker Automotive has unveiled the Karma S concept at the Detroit Auto Show. Based on the Karma sedan, the S has been transformed into a two-door convertible with seating for four. Just like the Karma sedan, the S is made of an aluminum spaceframe driven by a plug-in hybrid powertrain and features a power retractable hard top roof.

The powertrain used is dubbed Q-DRIVE. It is based on lithium-ion battery technology and has been designed exclusively for Fisker by a company called Quantum Technologies. It's the same one found in the Fisker Karma sedan. The Q-DRIVE's credentials read as follows; 50 emission-free miles on one charge and up to 430 miles from its two electric motors. These numbers compare favourably to those supplied by some mass auto manufactures that are in the process of building lithium-ion battery powered vehicles.

Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker said: "Our objective is to create a singular design language and heritage around our state-of-the-art Q-DRIVE powertrain. The Karma S is an extension of the Fisker Automotive product range of eco-conscious automobiles and sets the tone for our future."

Source: Fisker Automotive