SANTA MONICA, California — Information about the 2009 Acura TL leaked out today, revealing full details of the fourth-generation sedan from Honda's premium division. Two different models of the TL will be available: a front-wheel-drive TL with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the all-wheel-drive TL SH-AWD with a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6.

The 2009 Acura TL moves further upmarket with a more aggressive interpretation of Acura's latest styling vocabulary, known as "Keen Edge Dynamic." The size of the car has increased slightly as a consequence, and the wheelbase has been stretched 1.4 inches to 109.3 inches. The car is also 6.2 inches longer overall, 1.8 inches wider and 0.5 inch taller. Rear legroom improves by 1.3 inches and rear shoulder room increases by 0.5 inch. The all-new package also improves structural rigidity significantly, thanks in part to the use of high-strength steel in 47.6 percent of the chassis.

The standard TL will be front-wheel drive and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 280 hp and 254 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 22 hp and 21 lb-ft over the previous 3.2-liter V6. The new TL SH-AWD ("Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive" replaces the previous TL Type-S and is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 hp and 275 lbs-ft, an increase of 19 hp and 19 lb-ft over the 3.5-liter V6 of the Type-S. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment for both engines and features shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The chassis features double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. Electric power steering is standard for both models. The TL rides on 245/50R17 tires, the TL SH-AWD has 245/45R18 tires and 245/40ZR19 summer performance tires are optional for the TL SH-AWD.

As before, the 2009 Acura TL continues to provide an extensive list of electronic convenience items, now including a central multifunction display, an eight-speaker audio system with a six-disc CD changer, XM Satellite Radio and USB port connectivity. An Acura/ELS audio system with 10 speakers, surround-sound and DVD-A compatibility is available.

What this means to you: The 2009 Acura TL looks more aggressive and backs it up with more power and all-wheel drive, but we'll see if more personality can counter Acura's slow sales decline in recent years. — Michael Jordan, Executive Editor

via .edmunds 

From the moment Honda introduced the 2009 Pilot it was just a matter of time before the Japanese automaker would refresh the Ridgeline pick-up truck. Designed to look more familiar with the new Pilot, the most noticeable change to the Ridgeline for 2009 concerns the restyled front fascia that gets a new bumper and headlight design along with a revised grille. The rear bumperand taillights have also been revised for 2009.

Inside, styling updates include the revised 3D-style gauges, a new steering wheel design, and enhanced HVAC, audio, cruise and headlight controls. Also new for 2009 is the addition of Bluetooth HandsFreeLink on the Ridgeline RTL equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, a 115-volt power outlet on the Ridgeline RTL and an MP3/auxiliary input jack on the Ridgeline RTS and above. Moreover, the ’09 Ridgeline also gets active front seat head restraints and daytime running lights. -Continued

Power continues to come from the same 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine but thanks to the addition of a new camshaft profile and higher-flowing dual-stage intake manifold, output is bumped by 3HP to 250 HP at 5,700 rpm and torque by 2 lb-ft to 247 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm. Honda also revised the 5-speed automatic transmission’s gear ratios engineered to benefit from the additional engine torque for more responsive acceleration. The 2009 Ridgeline is expected to go on sale in the States in September.

via carscoop 

Yes that is right. Finally the time has come in Europe that driving a white car can be beautiful. It started already 1 year ago that you were able to see more white cars on German streets, especially premium cars like Porsche GT3, Porsche and BMW's. Mercedes is catching up. With the new world color of the C-Class in white its only a matter of time.

As I ordered the car in black I thought that foiling it with 3M shiny white tape would not also look really sexy, but will also protect my paint at least for 3-4 years.

If I would ever get bored of the color I can still go for grey etc...

I am thinking of buying the M6 replica wheels as I guess they are most beautiful wheels you can buy for a BMW. The curret wheels which comes with the M Sport Package will be used for winter tyres.

Please find below the process of my car going through.

via e90post 

MILAN, Italy: Andrea Pininfarina, the chief executive of the Italian car design firm founded by his grandfather that counts Ferraris and Alfa Romeos among its creations, died Thursday in a road accident near the northern Italian city of Turin.

Pininfarina was driving a scooter along a provincial highway when he struck a car whose driver failed to stop at an intersection, Luigi Semenzato, the police chief in the town of Trofarello south of Turin, told Sky Tg24 television news.

The driver "didn't see the Vespa coming," Semenzato told Sky.

Pininfarina, 51, was the third generation to run Pininfarina SpA, founded in 1930 by his grandfather Battista "Pinin" Farina — who combined his nickname and last name to create the company's name and new family name.

Pininfarina SpA has designed cars for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Cadillac and Volvo, among many others, but is perhaps most closely associated with Ferrari, designing nearly all of Ferrari's models since the 1950s. They include the convertibles California Spider and Daytona Spider.

Andrea Pininfarina took over as CEO in 2001, and in 2006 also became chairman of the board of directors, a position previously held by his father, Sergio Pininfarina, who is a senator for life in the Italian parliament.

Andrea Pininfarina studied mechanical engineering at the Polytechnic of Turin and started his career in the United States with Freuhauf Corp. in 1982, before returning to the family business a year later.

He was a frequent visitor to Ferrari headquarters and nurtured close relationships with the technical experts. He was also a former vice president of the Confindustria industrial lobby, and his death was felt throughout the business community.

"Italy, Turin and the entire Fiat Group have lost a symbol of entrepreneurialism, a man who carried on, and introduced innovations to, the work of his grandfather Pinin and his father Sergio," Fiat chairman and Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, a former Confindustria president, said in a statement.

Pininfarina is survived by his wife and three children, according to Italian media reports.

via  iht

The wraps have come off the ultimate Aston Martin. This stunning machine is an all-new supercar from the famous British firm that will go on sale late next year, taking the company into uncharted territory carrying a £1million price tag and power from a 7.0-litre V12 engine.

More expensive than the Bugatti Veyron, the newcomer will be limited to a production run of just 77 cars – hence its current codename, One-77. A real bolt from the blue, Aston has managed to keep the entire project under wraps until now. It will be inviting a select group of customers to see a finished model before the end of the year.

Details are scarce but the One-77 will be powered by a 7.0-litre V12, get a handcrafted aluminium body and a carbonfibre chassis. As a result it is likely to do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and have a top speed in excess of 200mph. Aston says potential owners will be able to personalise virtually every aspect of the car.

via autoexpress 

Zo te zien is de Golf wederom een stukje gegroeid. De styling van de VW is, zoals je kan verwachten bij een dergelijke grote verkoper, aardig conservatief. Toch smoelt de Golf zeker agressiever dan zijn voorganger, en ook aan de achterkant zien we een iets hoekiger design, voortbordurend op bijvoorbeeld de nieuwe Scirocco.

Bij de driedeurs Golf konden de lijnen wat steiler worden getrokken dan bij de vijfdeurs versie, waardoor de auto meer op zijn neus lijkt te hangen.
Het interieur oogt bijzonder goed afgewerkt, maar hierbij moeten we natuurlijk in ons achterhoofd houden dat het afgebeelde model zeker geen basisversie is.

In het motorengamma vinden we ongetwijfeld een keur aan benzinemotoren variërend van de 1.4 TSI tot en met de 1.8 TFSI, en misschien ook de 2.0 TFSI. Dieselen zal kunnen met de welbekende 1.9 en 2.0 TDI’s. De motoren worden gekoppeld aan handgeschakelde, automatische, of DSG-versnellingsbakken.

De nieuwe Golf is tevens de eerste Volkswagen die gebruik maakt van de inmiddels welbekende start-stop technologie. Dit is bij de oliestokers standaard aanwezig, en bij de benzinemodellen op de optielijst aan te vinken.
Amerikanen en Australiërs die de Golf VI willen hebben, hebben pech, wat de auto zal niet naar deze markten worden verscheept.

Tot slot: zijn de vier boogjes in het water op het zijaanzicht van de driedeurs een subtiele verwijzing naar partner Audi, of is dit toeval?

via autoblog 

Car Design News has obtained exclusive information about Franz von Holzhausen's next career move. On Thursday of last week, von Holzhausen resigned from Mazda, where he was Director of Design at the R&D Design Center in Irvine CA, to become the Design Director at Tesla Motors.

"It's going to be an exciting adventure," von Holzhausen told CDN in an exclusive interview. "I'm looking forward to working at a new startup company that doesn't have the confines of a large OEM."

Tesla will be looking to produce a range of new cars according to the famed designer. While the Tesla Roadster was designed by Lotus, Tesla founder and Chairman Elon Musk is "looking to produce electric vehicles for the masses and wanted to bring design in house."

According to insiders, von Holzhausen was 'cherry picked' for that task.

"Tesla is changing the paradigm," von Holzhausen continued, "We're going to turn the world on its ear and create high demand through design. There is a new hunger in the air for automotive design and looking to where automobiles are going in the future. Tesla will capture this through good design and engineering." 

von Holzhausen will be charged with building a team that will create the new cars in a new facility. "The location of the new studio is TBD, but it will be in LA to tap the enormous potential of designers," von Holzhausen said. "I want to bring an incredible sense of design to the market."

Generally regarded as the 'golden boy' at Mazda Design, where he oversaw the design and development of all concept and production vehicles for Mazda North America since February 2005, von Holzhausen's spearheaded the design of the Nagare and Furai concept cars and played an integral role in the creation of the Ryuga, Hakaze and Taiki.  Early in his career at Mazda, he earned recognition for his work on the Kabura concept.

A graduate from Art Center College of Design, von Holzhausen began his career as Assistant Chief Designer in VW's Design Center California and was involved in various projects from the Concept One to the Microbus. He has also served as Design Manager at General Motors where he was responsible for designing and managing the concept and production design process for the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Chevy SS, and various other GM programs.

via  cardesignnews

Adam spent the first 15 minutes of his show this morning talking about the filming of the American version of Top Gear. He covers some things we already knew such as who the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car was, but he also talked about some behind the scenes stuff. Pretty interesting and worth a listen.

via finalgear 

We were very fortunate to be there for the world wide unveiling of the new Attack KITT at San Diego Comic Con! We'll be back in the evening with more interviews with Gary, Just and Deanna, but right now check out these sweet picks of Attack KITT!

via shadowyflight 

Volkswagen has resurrected plans for an affordable, mid-engined coupe and roadster as part of an image building campaign as it sets about fulfilling its ambitious target of selling over five million cars a year by 2018.

According to Volkswagen chairman, Martin Winterkorn, the company is planning to unveil a concept version of a lightweight two-seater at the LA motor show in November. If reaction is positive enough then the new car, which has been styled under the leadership of Walter da Silva, could be in showrooms as early as 2011.

“We are working on a mid-engined concept for the Los Angeles motor show,” a senior source revealed to Autocar, “It is the fifth time in as many years that we have created such a car but this time, more than any other, the signs are looking good that we will get a production green light.”

The new Volkswagen roadster is described as being a cut-priced alternative to the Lotus Elise, designed to be stylish and lightweight while offering genuine performance and class-leading fuel economy.

Power will come from mid-mounted four-cylinder petrol engines, with Volkswagen’s 168bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a new 125bhp 1.6-litre TDI common-rail diesel both being considered for use. Drive will be supplied to the rear wheels by a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Anticipate a production version weighing in at under 1000kg, and being capable of combining Golf GTI levels of performance – 0-62mph in just under 7 seconds – with economy to rival a diesel Polo –about 63mpg combined.

The car will likely be built around an aluminium spaceframe, using the expertese of VW’s daughter company Audi. This link is driving specualtion that there may be an Audi version of the car, a so-called R4. Rumours of this car have existed for almost two years, despite official denials out of Ingolstadt. It would have different styling to the Volkswagen version and would likely run more powerful four-cylinder engines than the VW derivative, with Audi’s new ‘EA888’ based 211bhp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine and an upcoming 204bhp twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel highly tipped.

In a further development, Volkswagen majority shareholder Porsche is said to have shown interest in the new project, opening the way for a possible resurrection of the 914.

Volkswagen first hinted to plans for a mid-engined coupe and roadster with the Concept R back at the Frankfurt motor show in 2003. It was followed up by the spartan Eco Racer (a R&D exercise rather than a fully fledged design concept) wheeled out at the Tokyo motor show in 2005.

According to Volkswagen insiders, two more mid-engined concepts were created but never revealed to the public. If the car is given a green light it could be assembled by Volkswagen’s long-term partner, Karmann, in Germany.

via autocar