BMW Teases The 2011 X3 SUV

Teaser shots of the new 2011 BMW X3 are out! With the Paris Auto Show almost five months away.


BMW Teases The 2011 X3 SUV


Every other day, new models and modifications to the existing models are being revealed in the auto industry. However, BMW’s strategy with these teasers shows that the company is clever enough to reveals portions of the car provoking a debate on the entire model

The German auto giant may soon be releasing a few more shots of the 2011 X3 SUV, sparking speculation yet again. And then finally on D-Day BMW will raise curtains on a model that will leave people breathless.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chrysler Group auto assembly workers cheer during a celebration to launch the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan May 21, 2010. Chrysler Group LLC said on Friday it would hire almost 1,100 new workers at the Detroit plant that was retooled for production of its new Grand Cherokee, a Jeep model that the automaker is counting on to claw back market share.

Introduced at the 2009 New York Auto Show, the Grand Cherokee is described as an "American icon and symbol of the new Chrysler." It features modern styling, a vastly improved interior, and Mercedes M-Class underpinnings.

Power is provided by a 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 360 hp (268 kW / 365 PS) 5.7-liter HEMI V8. While detailed fuel efficiency data wasn't released, Chrysler says the V6 can deliver up to 23 mpg highway.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will go on sale next month and will be available 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×2 model starts at $30,995, while the 4×4 Grand Cherokee Laredo model starts at $32,995. Prices for the 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited 4×4 start at $39,995, while the Overland 4×4 model start at $42,995. All models will be powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 unit making 290-hp delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. Optional features include a 360-hp 5.7L V8 and a Trailer Tow Group.

Nissan is Recalling 2010 Altima

Nissan is recalling 2010 Altima vehicle manufactured from April 7, 2010 to April 13, 2010. About 113 Nissan Altima sedans may not have side member assembly components welded to specification due to a tool maintenance error.

If several structural welds are out of place, it may affect the crash worthiness of the vehicle. This could then increase the chance of death in a side crash.


2010 Nissan Altima @ Otopic

Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the vehicle free of charge. Nissan has yet to set an owner notification schedule, but owners with 2010 Altima vehicles can call Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 for more information.

All-New Mazda Premacy: Pre-Orders In Japan Now

Mazda Motor Corporation began taking orders today for the all-new Mazda Premacy (known overseas as the all-new Mazda5) at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan. The sales launch is set for July 1, 2010. Sales of the four-wheel-drive (4WD) version will begin in early August. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (including taxes) range from 1,799,000 yen to 2,314,000 yen. Production of the two-wheel-drive (2WD) Premacy will commence today at Mazda’s Ujina Plant No.2 (U2) near the company headquarters in Hiroshima.


Mazda: All-New Mazda Premacy


The Premacy minivan is one of the Mazda brand’s mainstay models in major markets around the world. It was initially launched in April 1999 and fully redesigned in 2005. Over 810,000 Premacy/Mazda5 units have been built to date.

The new, third generation Premacy features an emotional design that blends elegance with a dynamic spirit. It is Mazda’s first mass production model to fully adopt Nagare (meaning “flow” in Japanese) design language, which finds inspiration in the beauty of flowing shapes found in nature. Nagare design has appeared in certain elements of recent production models and was previously showcased in a series of concept cars.

The all-new Premacy’s design, based on flowing water, was first unveiled to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, where it received high praise.

The stylish design is accompanied by a highly functional and flexible interior – including multiple seat arrangements and available dual power sliding rear doors – a smooth and sporty ride feel, and improved fuel economy. These attributes make the new Premacy minivan extremely eco-friendly and fun for every member of the family.

To further improve the environmental credentials of the all-new Premacy, the 20S and 20E two-wheel-drive model grades now include Mazda’s unique idling stop system, i-stop. As well as boosting fuel economy, i-stop ensures an extremely quick and smooth engine restart that is almost unnoticeable by the driver.

Mazda’s i-stop technology has been highly acclaimed since its introduction. Its list of awards includes the 2010 RJC Technology of the Year prize from the Automotive Researchers’ & Journalists’ Conference of Japan, the 2009 Eco-Products Award from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the 2009 Technology Award from the Combustion Society of Japan, the Technological Development Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE), and the Contribution Prize of the 42nd annual lchimura Industrial Awards.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for models equipped with i-stop start at 1,920,000 yen ($20,612 US equivalent).
Source

Michael Schumacher Slammed by Own Manager

Michael Schumacher has been slammed by his own manager just as his Grand Prix comeback gives every sign of preparing for lift off.

Willi Weber said it would be easier to find a 50-year-old virgin than a sponsor for the legendary racer after a string of lacklustre races.

Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP prepares to drive during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 9, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain


But the puzzling outburst came just days ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix where Schumacher’s return appears to have got back on track as he out performed teammate Nico Rosberg in all three practice sessions leading up to qualifying.

The 41-year-old said Mercedes had finally gien him the car he wants.

And the practice session times certainly seem to back that up as he out performed teammate Nico Rosberg in both Friday sessions for the first time this season.

Weber had said: "Sales are not how I expected them to be. There's a certain Schumi-tiredness. People are saying 'my god, where is he driving?' You only know him as a winner.

"In the past the stands were full of Ferrari caps. Now I can count the silver caps with one hand.

"And it is easier to find a 50-year-old virgin than a sponsor for Michael."

Schumacher is 10th in the world championship with 10 points, 50 behind championship leader Jenson Button.

Mark Webber Wins Spanish Formula One Race

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing on his way to victory in the 2010 Spanish F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain, 09 May 2010.

Webber led from pole to flag, but Hamilton had out-raced Sebastian Vettel in the other Red Bull before a puncture forced the Englishman out.

That promoted Fernando Alonso's Ferrari to second, ahead of Vettel, who also hit trouble in the closing stages.

Mercedes's Michael Schumacher was fourth from Jenson Button's McLaren.

Vettel looked to have lost third place when he ran into problems in the closing laps.

The German came into the pits after running off the track with 12 laps to go following a brake failure, and when he rejoined, he was warned by his team that the problem was "critical" and that he needed to nurse his car to the finish.

Felipe Massa's Ferrari took sixth, just over a second behind Button, while Force India's Adrian Sutil held off the Renault of Robert Kubica for seventh.

Rubens Barrichello was ninth for Williams after driving a superb first lap to jump up from 17th on the grid to 12th, with Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari promoted to 10th by Hamilton's misfortune.

The result has tightened an already close championship battle.

Volvo S60 Crashes During Safety Demonstration

The brand Volvo is synonymous with safety. After all, that's why most people buy into the brand.

Still, spanners get thrown into the works sometimes. And things don't work when they should as Volvo recently found out.



According to a Wired.com report and video, Volvo held a media demonstration of their new collision system warning in Sweden.

A new Volvo S60 was "fired out of Volvo's testing tunnel at around 30mph (48kmh)," the Wired report said.

The new collision warning system then kicked in, bringing the car to a stop before a truck parked in its path.

That was what should have happened.

Instead, the car smashed into the back of the truck right in front of global media.

Volvo said there was a human error in the preparation of the crash, the report stated.

Said the report: "Volvo later claimed...that had a human been driving, he or she would have noticed the system was not operating correctly. The technical reason for the fail concerned a problem with the car's battery."

To be fair, the report added, the collision warning system was seen working perfectly in the day.

The #11 FedEx Express Toyota Performs

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, performs a burnout in celebration of winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup series SHOWTIME Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 8, 2010 in Darlington, South Carolina.

During a weekend when many of NASCAR's greatest drivers couldn't tame the toughest track on the Sprint Cup circuit, Denny Hamlin stole the show with a sweep.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won Saturday night's Southern 500 and became the first to win both the Nationwide and Cup races on consecutive days at Darlington Raceway since 1993 (Mark Martin).

"All we do is win," Hamlin radioed his crew after the No. 11 Toyota was victorious for the third time in six races.

Hamlin led 104 of 367 laps on the 1.366-mile oval, holding off pole-sitter Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Rally New Zealand WRC

Co-driver Miikka Anttila celebrates with Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland after winning the WRC Rally of New Zealand on May 9, 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Jari-Matti Latvala wins Rally New Zealand snatching victory from Sebastien Ogier in the final test; Sebastien Loeb completes the podium, while Petter Solberg crashes out.

Overall standings after Stage SS21 / Day 3:


1. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 4hours 04mins 09.8secs M
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen Junior Team C4 WRC +00mins 02.4secs M
3. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 15.2secs M
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC +00mins 21.3secs M
5. Dani Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 25.8secs M
6. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC +03mins 26.0secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC +06mins 15.3secs M
8. Jari Ketomaa Ford Fiesta S2000 +10mins 19.3secs S
9. Federico Villagra Munchi's Ford Focus WRC +10mins 49.8secs M
10. Xavier Pons Ford Fiesta S2000 +11min 13.4secs S

11. Martin Prokop Ford Fiesta S2000 +11min 33.3secs S
12. Patrik Sandell Skoda Fabia S2000 +11mins 58.7secs S
13. Nasser Al-Attiyah Skoda Fabia S2000 +12mins 34.1secs S
14. Hayden Paddon Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +15mins 19.0secs P
15. Chris West Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +17mins 55.9secs N4
16. Dean Sumner Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +18mins 17.9secs N4
17. Emma Gilmour Subaru Impreza WRX STi +18mins 34.4secs P
18. Glenn Inkster Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +21mins 45.5secs N4
19. Sloan Cox Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X +23mins 57.3secs N4
20. Kingsley Thompson Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX +24mins 29.0secs P

Jorge Lorenzo Tops Dani Pedrosa In Last-Lap Classickk

Spanish Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo (R) is followed by his countryman Dani Pedrosa (L) of Honda team at the Jerez race track in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain, on 02 May 2010. Lorenzo won the race and his countryman Dani Pedrosa of the Honda team was second and Italian Valentino Rossi, of Yamaha, placed third.

As the midway point of the race approached Pedrosa was leading well at a second-and-a-half ahead of Rossi, with Lorenzo a further two seconds back. The fight for seventh place was a close one, with San Carlo Honda Gresini teammates Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli battling one another amongst a group of five riders.

At the same time Lorenzo was closing the gap on Rossi and on lap 21 passed his teammate, and turned his focus to hunting down Pedrosa. From there a superb duel developed between the two Spaniards.

With two laps to go Lorenzo caught up with the factory Honda rider and made his move to pass, but Pedrosa held his line and the two almost touched as the excitement continued to increase.

And so it came down to the last lap and as Pedrosa pushed it wide at the Dry Sack corner Lorenzo swept through to assume the lead, which he held to ensure he received his reward for a fantastic ride. Crossing the line the Fiat Yamaha rider was 0.543s ahead of Pedrosa, with Rossi placing third to complete the podium.

Completing the top five were Ducati Marlboro riders Nicky Hayden, who repeated his fourth spot from Qatar, and Casey Stoner, with Andrea Dovizioso taking sixth place.

Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing) completed an impressive rise from last place on the grid to take seventh, with Melandri, Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) and Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) also placing inside the top ten.