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Kamis, 19 Februari 2009

Hyundai's Equus Flagship Sedan Launched in Korea, could make it to the U.S.

What you're seeing here is the all-new Equus, Hyundai's Mercedes-Benz S-Class-sized flagship luxury sedan that was unveiled today in Korea. Not surprisingly, the actual production model features a much less dramatic design than what we were promised by the teaser sketches released by Hyundai earlier this year. While the outgoing model used a front-wheel drive architecture, the new Equus is based on a modified version of the rear-wheel drive Genesis platform with power coming from the same 3.8-liter Lambda V6 and 4.6-liter Tau V8 engines.

In the second half of the year, Hyundai will also introduce a long-wheelbase version of the new Equus equipped with a 5.0-liter variant of the Tau V8.

Compared to its Asian-market predecessor, the 2010 Equus is longer, wider and taller measuring 5,160mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,495mm in height. Technological highlights include a second-generation Vehicle Stability Management System (VSM2), a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) that employs a vision sensor to monitor traffic lane markers and a Pre-Safety Seatbelt System which on detecting an imminent front-end collision, automatically reels-in the safety belts.

Even though Hyundai has officially announced that there are currently no plans to export the 2010 Equus to the North American or European markets, Korean news outlet Ohmynews claims that the Equus will be launched in the States, most likely as the 'Genesis Prestige'.

Via: Worldcarfans

Rabu, 18 Februari 2009

ABT AS5-R: Modified Audi S5 with 510HP set for Geneva Debut

The Audi S5-based AS5-R from ABT Sportsline will be making its worldwide debut at next month's Geneva Show. ABT's tuning proposal for the most powerful variant of the A5 coupe includes an updated version of the current S5's 344HP 4.2-liter V8 engine that has been modified to produce an output of 510-horsepower. For the record, Audi is planning to replace the S5 Coupe's V8 with the recently introduced S5 Cabriolet's new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that develops 333HP.

ABT did not disclose any more information on the car, but aside from the engine-tune up, the AS5-R will also benefit from a new bodykit and larger alloy wheels along with a modified suspension and a more powerful braking system.

The German tuner's Geneva booth will also host the firm's latest creations including the ABT VW Sciorcco Coupe and the ABT Audi Q5 and R8.

Selasa, 17 Februari 2009

Ferrari Recalling 1,950 F430 Spiders over Roof Top System Leak

It's not often that we hear about recalls from exotic marques like Ferrari, not because they don't have problems, but simply due to the fact that there aren't many out there. In one of those rare 'occasions', Ferrari is getting ready to send a letter to 1,950 MY 2005-2007 F430 Spider owners in the U.S. over a problem with the hydraulic hoses for the convertible top that are located inside of the engine compartment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) said that the engine heat could cause cracks to the hoses leading in fluid leakage.

In this case, the fluids may leak into the engine compartment causing smoke and quite possibly, a fire. Ferrari's U.S. dealers will install protective heat shields over the convertible top hydraulic lines to insulate them from the heat of the engine compartment. Understandably, this service will be performed free of charge.

more ferrari cars photos here

Senin, 16 Februari 2009

Rumorville: Ferrari to Unveil New F450 in Frankfurt this October

Even though we're still months ahead of the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Britain's Autocar magazine has learned that Ferrari will take the wraps off its F430 replacement. Expected to be named F450, the new V8 Prancing Horse is said to be for the most part new, with only a minor components in the chassis or bodywork coming from the current F430 that was introduced back in 2004.

Autocar claims that the F450 will be the first model to come out of the Maranello factory to feature eco-friendly green materials and several weight reduction measures that were first seen on the firm's 2007 Mille Chili eco-concept that is seen in our image gallery.

Ferrari has not disclosed any information of the F450's engine, but it is said that the sportscar will benefit from a updated version of the F430's V8 with an enlarged capacity of 4.5-liters delivering somewhere north of 500-horsepower.

Via: Autocar