Section: COUNTRIES/WORLD MARKETS
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 9th, 2008 3:25 PM
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While the words “Cadillac” and “Nurburgring” don’t classically go hand-in-hand General Motors is apparently out in Germany proving that its CTS-V can hold its own with just about anything orbiting the Green Hell., and they’ve got the photo to prove it.
GM announced early this afternoon that driver John Heinricy was able to pilot the LSA V-8 powered V car to a potentially record-breaking time of 7:59:32, which is said to be the fastest “documented” lap by a sedan…ever. We’re even more excited to hear that one of Cadillac minions caught the lap on a video that is set to be released within a few days.
+ Autoblog: Green Hellraiser: Caddy CTS-V storms Nordschleife in 7:59:32
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: David Yang
May 9th, 2008 10:35 AM
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Compared with Roewe, we haven’t heard much from the MG brand ever since the SAIC-Nanjing Auto merger. It seems the MG guys finally decided to make some noise by bringing two new cars to the Chinese dealers at the end of this month.
As the first made-in-China roadster, the rear-drive MG TF, offers two transmission options along with its 1.8 DOHC four burner: the manual MT and a CVT. The 1.8-liter MT accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds, hitting a top speed of 133 mph. It takes the 1.8-liter CVT 9.7 seconds to make the 0 to 62 mph dash, and it will reach a top speed of 124 mph. As it has almost no competitors in its class, the mid-engine roadster will likely be priced around 300,000 RMB (roughly $ 42,860 USD).
Another to hit the Chinese market later this month is an MG crossover called the 3SW. The new model has two engine options: a 1.4-liter four and a 1.8-liter four. The 1.4-liter generates maximum power of 102 horsepower and of maximum torque of 91 pound-feet while the 1.8-liter engine produces maximum power of 118 horsepower with max torque of 118 pound-feet. The price of 3SW will range from 80,000 – 120,000 RMB (roughly $11,428 - 17,142 USD).
(Have a look at the brace of Chinese MGs in our gallery below.)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 9th, 2008 9:50 AM
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Italian styling house Aznom has used the Mini Clubman, a car destined to be customized ad nauseam we feel, as the basis for this rather ostentatious and bizarre variant called the Chateau.
The Chateau offers a clutter of weird wood trim pieces, including side-view mirror surrounds that look for all the world like the polished halves of coconuts. Exterior non-woody surfaces are finished in iridescent brown and gold paint, creating a very 1970’s rec room vibe. But perhaps the strangest addition to the Chateau Clubman is the retro-fitted shockproof wine cellar in the back, capable of transporting your favorite vino undisturbed wherever you need to go.
We will admit that we’re fans of the 18-inch TSW “Pace” alloys, and we’re certain that all 12 owners of these very limited edition Mini’s will be mobbed with interested parties wherever they go. At least they’ll be able to calm they’re addled nerves with a glass of Beaujolais. Cheers.
+ Motor Authority: Aznom Mini Clubman S ‘Chateau’
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 8th, 2008 3:35 PM
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Opel has officially pulled the sheet off of its new Insignia, which is liable to come to the U.S. after its European launch as the newest version of the Saturn Aura. While we thought that we had seen all there was to offer on the sleek four-door sedan, our friends at CarPix have delivered up a few images of a brand new variant to the range, a five-door hatchback.
The totally undisguised hatch, possibly to be known as the CombiCoupe or Fliessheck, mimics the lines of the sedan everywhere but the rear section. The liftgate of the new Insignia looks to be of good size, and promises to add a measure of utility to the car that won’t be possible with a mere truck. Why doesn’t everyone offer a five-door?
No word of course about whether this configuration could make it to American Saturn dealers, though the GM brand’s recent willingness to stock its showrooms with straight Euro copies is encouraging. Tell us what you think of the car, after browsing our gallery below, in comments.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 8th, 2008 9:15 AM
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MG fans will be happy to hear that new Chinese owners Shanghai Automobile Corporation (SAIC) seem to be moving along at full speed towards the goal of producing an all new TF roadster.
Auto Express has used what it calls “insider information” to develop these renderings of the new model, which is said to be targeted at such European droptops as the Alfa Romeo Spider and the Audi TT, as well as the dominating Mazda MX-5. The new TF will be slightly larger than the Mazda but is said to be shooting for a very similar price tag, along with the hearts and minds of the roadster-crazy British public.
The new car will be based on the Roewe 550 compact hatchback, though its driven wheels will be in the back, and will be powered by either a 1.8-liter turbo or a 2.5-liter V-6. The MG TF could be available through a new Roewe dealership network in the UK by 2010. Click through the link to see a few more images of the new convertible and then let us know what you think, in comments.
+ AutoExpress: Reborn MG TF is ready at last!
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 7th, 2008 4:30 PM
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Someone with a rather fine sense of humor and plenty of spare time, has been torturing the funny bones of the Australian town of Frankston.
The Frankston Leader reported recently on a spate of weirdly humorous road signage appearing out of nowhere. Many of the locals get the joke and find the original signs just as funny as the mystery man responsible for them. But other Frankstonians aren’t quite so bemused, finding signs like the one picturing an amorous couple which reads “Hump,” both “blasphemous” and “obscene”.
Have a look at some of Frankston’s finest in our gallery below.
+ Autoblog: Mystery joker installing funny road signs
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 7th, 2008 12:30 PM
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It’s not that unusual for us to find the occasional random press release waiting for us in our inbox, once or twelve-times a day, but it fairly rare that we get one quite as entertaining as this number from German tuners Loder.
The company has done a tasteful job kitting out the 2008 Jaguar XF but the real brilliance is in the verbiage it’s chosen to use in its official press release. Rather than spoil it with commentary, we’ll let you enjoy it in its natural state below the jump.
continued →
Written By: David Yang
May 7th, 2008 11:15 AM
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OK, you may not be lucky enough to see this during your Olympic trip to China this summer, so we knew we had to bring it to you.
The pictures here are taken in Qinhuangdao, a beautiful port city in Hebei Province, about 280 kilometers from Beijing. The truck turned street sweeper or whatchamacallit carries more than twelve brooms, which rotate with the axle to take care of cleaning. Who said that the Chinese people have no originalities? Take a look at the radical device in our gallery below.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 7th, 2008 10:35 AM
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Chinese drivers are using number plate switching devices to get away with speeding in the south of the country. Drivers are employing remotely controlled devices that can switch the numbers on their license plates in seconds, to fool speed cameras and avoid fines.
The Beijing Youth Daily quoted one traffic policeman in the Chinese city of Yangjiang as saying, “More than 50 percent of cars caught on camera for speeding and other offences either cover up their plates or use a fake licence plate. Our chances of capturing them is next to nil.”
One salesman for license plate changing devices, which cost the equivalent of roughly $115, said that the hot-selling items are both “convenient and economical.” No mention of the devices being “illegal” or “satisfying” however.
+ Automotive News: Chinese drivers get away with speeding (Subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: David Yang
May 6th, 2008 3:15 PM
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Considering the heavy traffic flow in the city, it’s easy to understand that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) is doing what they can to make sure things here won’t upset those foreign visitors. Yu Chunquan, the director of the transportation department for the BOCOG, told the press recently that there will be no parking spaces for private cars at Olympic stadiums. Instead, Citizens are encouraged to take public transportation to the stadiums. Well, what other choices do we have?
The municipal government will introduce 34 Olympic bus routes totaling about 260 kilometers in length by the end of July for the convenience of the stadium-goers. Some of the buses will be running for 24 hours a day. That said, it doesn’t take a genius to think of parking his car somewhere near those stadiums, though people with an Olympic ticket can get free bus rides easily.
(Look, but don’t park,at some Beijing stadium pictures below.)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 6th, 2008 10:15 AM
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This incredibly detailed “nokian” tire is actually a cake created by a Russian artisan (or bakery, we’re not really sure) called Zhanna located in St. Petersburg. Though we don’t have any real details about the operation, we did find a whole passel of additional amazing confections by the talented baker, at the laughable haha.nu. We’ll admit that not all of these cakes have an automotive theme but we were too blown away not to share them with you. Our favorite has got to be the cash machine, enjoy.
+ haha.nu
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 5th, 2008 9:00 AM
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Apparently the car-buying public is quite enamored with Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter TFSI engine, as the German automaker is reportedly struggling to keep production in-line with demand. British Autocar reports in the latest copy of its print edition that VW can’t supply enough examples of the powerplant to the wider VW group.
The factory that produces the 1.4 TFSI is just able to keep up with the needs of Volkswagen itself, meaning brands like Seat are being left in the cold. Seat’s supply of the engine is currently under restriction; bad news for fans of the Spanish VW variant, and for the company’s bottom line.
(One hot Seat in our gallery below.)
+ Autocar
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
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