Motorward

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• Britain Exports Toyota To Japan
• 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee UK Price and Specs
• Video: Honda CR-Z Mugen vs Ariel Atom Mugen
• Morgan 3 Wheeler Burnout Video
• Video: New Stratos At Sachsen Rallye
• Subaru WRX Isle of Man TT Record Official Video
• Video: 2012 Corvette Z06 Laps Nurburgring In 7:22
• Chrome Audi R8 Spyder For Elton John Charity Auction
• Lexus L600h Landaulet For Monaco Royal Wedding
• 2014 Porsche 550 – Report
• Top Gear Series 17 Episode 1 Preview [Spoiler Alert]
• BMW M3 CRT Sedan

Britain Exports Toyota To Japan Posted: 24 Jun 2011 10:18 AM PDT Thanks to the Japanese car makers like Nissan and Toyota, Britain’s car manufacturing is back on track. We had in the news that the next Nissan Qashqai will be entirely designed and developed inside UK. One thing that makes British-built cars in other countries is their great quality and clever engineering. Now Toyota announced that Toyota Motor Manufacturing United Kingdom (TMUK) in Derbyshire, UK is ready to export British-built Avensis to Japan.The UK plant already ships the model to 47 countries worldwide. The vehicles will be shipped from the UK at a rate of 750 vehicles a month with production commencing in July. The additional exports to Japan will reinforce its performance and its position as one of Toyota's most efficient and advanced factories. UK Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Toyota exports 85 per cent of the car and engines it makes at its UK plants in Burnaston and Deeside. Today's news that it will now export its Avensis model to Japan is a tribute to the skills of the workforce, the efficiency of the plants and the quality of its products. I was delighted to meet Fujio Cho, Chairman of Toyota when I visited Japan recently and I highlighted the importance of manufacturing in the UK." TMUK Managing Director Katsunori Kojima said: "We are very proud that the Avensis has been selected for export to Japan. This is yet another vote of confidence for TMUK and the high quality of our products."

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee UK Price and Specs Posted: 24 Jun 2011 09:49 AM PDT Chrysler is launching the right-hand-drive version of 2011 Jeep Cherokee in the UK, in hope to beat the big boys in SUV segment by offering great value. The well-built, well-equipped, good-looking and very capable Cherokee range starts from £36,795 OTR with the 3.0 CRD  230 hp V6 (the only engine offered in the UK with 34 mpg) Limited, while the flagship Overland starts from £43,995 OTR. And when you look at the car’s specs and options, it offers almost everything a Range Rover offers for almost twice the price, minus the Range Rover badge of course! The new Cherokee with its revised looks and muscular body looks kinda large for British roads but it’s got presence. The big size also means it’s quite practical. The car offers 782 litres of space with all the seats in place. It also addresses the issue that previous version always suffered from, the interior design and quality. The new model excels at both those aspects y offering premium materials such as real wood, leather, chrome accents, LED lighting, and premium seating. The old Cherokees used to be very agricultural and nasty inside. This one’s more luxurious. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system, (standard equipment on Overland versions), and 4×4 system called Quadra-Trac II with two-speed transfer box. Here’s the list of both models equipments and options: Safety and Security All of the following equipment comes as standard on both trim levels: Sentry Key® Theft Deterrent System Thatcham Category 1 Alarm and Immobiliser Active head restraints Advanced Multi-Stage front airbags Side curtain airbags Supplementary side airbags Anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes Centre rear 3-point seat belt Child seat upper tether anchorages Electronic Stability Control Enhanced Accident Response System Traction Control Front seat mounted side airbags Laminated front door glass Power locks Rear fog lamps Anti-sway damping system The top-of-the-range Overland version possesses exclusive and state-of-the-art features, which are options on most of the Grand Cherokee's rivals: Uconnect navigation system with Media Centre 6.5” touch screen display and 30GB hard drive Blind-spot and rear cross path detection (Overland only) Adaptive cruise control (Overland only) Forward collision warning (Overland only) Quadra-Lift air suspension Limited This specification features a high degree of equipment in all areas: comfort, capability, in-car entertainment, technology, design and luxury: Quadra-Trac II®  4WD system 3.0 CRD V6 237bhp Thatcham Category 1 Alarm and Immobiliser Selec-Terrain™ system Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with headlamp washers and auto-levelling Rain sensitive windscreen wipers Air-conditioning with dual zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Media Centre with 6.5” touch screen display and 30GB hard drive with 6700 song capacity Keyless Enter-N-Go™ 18" Alloy wheels Fog lamps Illuminated entry Hill Descent Control Hill Start Assist Bright exhaust tailpipes Uconnect Bluetooth with voice command iPod® connector with remote USB port ParkSense®  front and rear park assist system ParkView® rear back-up camera Leather trimmed seats Heated front and rear seats Power 8-way driver and passenger seat memory Power tilt / telescopic steering column Alpine surround sound system (9 speakers and subwoofer) Tyre pressure monitoring display Power folding multi-function door mirrors Limited – Options This trim level can be further enhanced with the following options: Rear DVD with single sunroof CommandView panoramic sunroof Performance pack (20″ wheels with 265/60 R20 performance tyres, performance brakes and sports suspension) Navigation & Luxury pack (Uconnect navigation system, heated steering wheel and power liftgate) Deep-tint sunscreen glass Overland The standard equipment on the Overland reaches unparalleled levels for the segment, using the most refined materials together with advanced technological features. On top of the Limited specification, the Overland model adds the following items: 20" alloy wheels Performance brakes with sports suspension Cargo net Door courtesy lamps Premium Nappa leather trimmed seats with contrast stitching Ventilated front seats Leather covered dashboard Dark wood interior trim inserts Deep-tint sunscreen glass Power liftgate Heated steering wheel Quadra-Lift™ air suspension CommandView panoramic sunroof Overland interior detailing Uconnect navigation system Blind-spot and rear cross path detection Adaptive cruise control Forward collision warning Pricing Rear DVD with single sunroof (Limited)                        £1,700 RRP Rear DVD with single sunroof retrofit (Overland)          £700 RRP CommandView panoramic sunroof (Limited)               £1,200 RRP Performance pack (Limited)                                           £2,000 RRP Navigation & Luxury pack (Limited)                               £1,500 RRP Deep-tint sunscreen glass (Limited)                              £350 RRP

Video: Honda CR-Z Mugen vs Ariel Atom Mugen Posted: 24 Jun 2011 09:27 AM PDT In this video AutoExpress pits two Mugen tuned cars through their paces at the race track. On one side we have the Ariel Atom Mugen which features a 2.0 liter engine boosted up to 270 hp, and on the other, the new Honda CR-Z Mugen which will soon make its official debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Granted, you can’t really compare these two, but this video gives a good chance to see the CR-Z Mugen in details. Although it’s a one-off car for the time being, it’ll soon spawn a production version.

Morgan 3 Wheeler Burnout Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 09:07 AM PDT The new modern-day Morgan 3 Wheeler, just like its predecessor, seems to have a severe birth defect. It looks very ugly to be honest. But the combination of extremely light weight – under 500 kg – and a 115 hp bike engine has made it a very fun vehicle to drive. This is a fantastic toy if you are bored with go karts. Look how this guy do burnouts in this thing! Mind you, this fun comes for a price. £25,000 to be exact.

Video: New Stratos At Sachsen Rallye Posted: 24 Jun 2011 06:03 AM PDT Click here to view the embedded video. The new Lancia Stratos is back! Check out Michael Stoschek’s expensive toy tearing off streets of Zwickau in Germany Sachsen Rallye 2011. We’ve seen the car before “in action” on race tracks, but we have to say it looks twice as cool on the streets, especially when it’s going this fast. For those of you who might have forgot, the New Stratos is a one-off recreation of the legendary Lancia Stratos, based on Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Although it’s a one-off, if you show up at Pininfarina – who designed it – with something like a million dollar cash, they’ll be glad to make one more for you!

Subaru WRX Isle of Man TT Record Official Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 05:45 AM PDT We’ve already brought to you details and video of Subaru WRX record run at Isle of Man TT course. But now Subaru released their own edit of the run, featuring greatest moments of the adrenaline-filled lap, which damn nearly killed driver Mark Higgins and his journalist passenger when he nearly lost control of the car at 150 mph. The funny bit is, he blames it on the passenger because of his weight! Read more about the “moment” after the jump. “This is one of the most daunting tracks I have ever driven, and the most terrifying,” said Higgins, a Manx native. “We were only able to get two practice runs and on our second practice I had the biggest “moment” of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH, the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected–it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 110 MPH, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was.”

Video: 2012 Corvette Z06 Laps Nurburgring In 7:22 Posted: 24 Jun 2011 05:33 AM PDT The improvements that Chevrolet has made to the latest editions of Corvette seem to be really working. First we had the 2012 ZR1 shaving six seconds off its previosu record around Nurburgring, and now the 2012 ZO6 goes round the Green Hell in 7:22.68. That is a full 20 seconds faster previous Z06 fast lap recorded in 2005. 20 seconds in motorsport is like two years! The new Michelin tires Chevrolet is using for the Corvettes play a major part in their incredible performance.

Chrome Audi R8 Spyder For Elton John Charity Auction Posted: 24 Jun 2011 05:25 AM PDT Audi has prepared a chromed-out R8 Spyder, to be auctioned off at Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball charity event. According to Audi, this 194mph open-top sports car has been finished in a dazzling and unique mirror-like chromed finish to attract the highest possible bids in the auction that raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF). The standard R8 Spyder is priced at £117,710 in the UK. It does 0 to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds, and features a fully-automatic lightweight fabric hood that adds wind-in-hair intensity to the already extreme driving experience delivered by the lightweight aluminium quattro-equipped super car. "Sir Elton John's fundraising ball really is a golden ticket event that is as glamorous as it is hugely effective in fundraising terms," commented Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK.  "We are delighted, and enormously proud, to support it for a ninth year with the donation of what is arguably our most fittingly glamorous model," he added. Chromed-out cars are ghastly and very uncool, because they are flash and vulgar. This one though serves a noble purpose. The fact that Audi gave this to Elton John makes you think though, does it mean chromed-out cars are gay?!

Lexus L600h Landaulet For Monaco Royal Wedding Posted: 24 Jun 2011 05:13 AM PDT Lexus unveiled the one-off coachbuilt hybrid limousine they’d promised, for wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco on 2 July. The full hybrid Lexus LS 600h Landaulet’s main feature is a one-piece transparent polycarbonate roof. That is supposed to make Prince Albert II and  Carlene Wittstock feel like they are in a royal coach, while being protected from weather and everything else! This glass roof is made with advanced technologies from the aerospace industry by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet, and took 2,000 hours to complete. The hardest part was obviously making it curvy and for that they had to cook the composites in a special oven. The fact that it’s a single piece design with no reinforcements or pillars made it more challenging to build. The roof is a single, lightweight polycarbonate shell that is 8mm thick and weighs just 26kg. Fixed to the body of the Lexus through two intermediary parts, it allows a perfect view in and out of the car. Besides the amazing glass roof, the fact that it’s a hybrid car reflects on Monte Carlo and more specifically Prince Albert’s interest in green technologies. He’s a big supporter of electric and hybrid cars.

2014 Porsche 550 – Report Posted: 24 Jun 2011 04:53 AM PDT Porsche is apparently going to revive the 550 sportscar. But it will be nothing like the “Little Bastard” of 1950s. The original Porsche 550 Spyder was a beast, literally! Its incredible speed and hideous handling killed many great men over the years, including James Dean. It was an unpleasant car, but because of its character, it is one of the coolest cars ever built. The new 550 though, according a report by Autobild, is going to be a soft and cuddly sportscar that sits below the Boxster in Porsche’s model range. In fact, it’ll be more of a successor for the 356 rather than the 550. And with 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo engine, as the sources they it’s going to have, it’ll probably be just as fast as the 356 too! The 2014 Porsche 550 is supposed to be the Porsche for the masses, with a starting price of around 40,000 euro.

Top Gear Series 17 Episode 1 Preview [Spoiler Alert] Posted: 24 Jun 2011 04:37 AM PDT As I’m sure you know, the first episode of Top Gear Series 17 airs on BBC2 and BBC HD this Sunday at 8pm. We’ve been sent details of the first show. Stop reading right know if you think knowing about the show would ruin the fun for you, because what’s coming will reveal all the features of episode 1, even the star in the reasonably priced car! If you just want some details, there will be a BMW, a classic Jaguar, a big truck, a rally car racing a girl, and a rock star. Top Gear Series 17 Episode 1: In the first episode, Jeremy Clarkson celebrates the 50th birthday of the legendary Jaguar E-type by driving a modern, half a million pound interpretation of this classic sports car before putting on a typically low key birthday party involving live music, classic fighter planes and a group of Royal Marines. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond is in South Africa to test a bigger, even more rugged alternative to the famous Hummer whilst James May meets up with gold medal winning British Olympian Amy Williams for a wintry test of the latest Mini rally car. Plus, the power crazed BMW 1-series M slithers around the test track in a cloud of tyre smoke and Alice Cooper takes his place in the Reasonably Priced Car. Here’s a collection of photos, previewing the main highlights of Series 17 beginning. Top Gear

BMW M3 CRT Sedan Posted: 24 Jun 2011 01:35 AM PDT The BMW M3 GTS Sedan finally gets into the production in form of the BMW M3 CRT Sedan. It is limited to 67 units, each priced at 130,000 euro. And apparently it is only  offered to special BMW M GmbH customers. The M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology), like its coupe sibling, the M3 GTS, is a lightened, more powerful, kinda track-focused version of the M3 sedan. The CRT is about 45 kg lighter than a normal M3 sedan thanks t extensive use of carbon fiber. You will find CF on the roof, the bonnet, and even seats structure. The CRT also benefits from a bespoke titanium exhausts system. The looks of the car is also enhanced with a carbon aero package including items like a front lip spoiler, vented hood, blacked-out grilles, and a tail spoiler. All of the new components along with the side vents are garnished with red accents. While we don’t dig the red stuff, we found the M-badged brake calipers to be a really cool touch. Click here to view the embedded video. The car has the same wheel-tire combination as the GTS Coupe with 19-inch blacked-out rims wrapped in 245/35 tires at front and 265/30 at the back. Inside the cabin, besides the red/black leather upholstery and carbon/aluminum trimming, you also get a special numbered CRT plaque, and special sills, and of course lots of M badges. The M3′s 4.4 liter naturally aspired V8 (last NA engine for M3) is the same as in the GTS and makes 450 PS which is 30 more than the 420 of the standard M3s. BMW could surprise the fans by giving this car a manual gearbox, but it still gets the 7-speed dual-clutch DCT transmission. That makes the car real quick, as it makes 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and can reach 290 km/h. There hasn’t been a shortage of BMW M3 special editions in recent years, but this one is definitely up there.

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