Full Specs on 2008 Mercury Mariner SUV

DEARBORN, Mich. — Mercury has released specifications and details on its 2008 Mariner small SUV, which has been redesigned and will go on sale early in 2007.

Mercury Brand Manager Kim Irwin said it is Mercury's "first product to truly deliver 100 percent of the design DNA for Mercury as a brand."

That DNA includes a front end with an "eyebrow" lamp design and a larger grille with a bigger, centrally located Mercury waterfall badge. It also involves a redesigned interior that is intended to be more "technical-looking" — which means a floor-mounted shifter, new seats with Alcantara trim and chrome accents, as well as a space in the center console that can hold a laptop computer.

Among the technical upgrades is the addition of speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering. The 2008 Mariner also has Ford's roll stability control system (AdvanceTrac with RSC) and standard side curtain airbags.

The standard Mariner engine is a 2.3-liter Duratec four-cylinder that makes 153 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. There's an optional 3.0-liter Duratec V6 that makes 200 hp and 193 lb-ft.

A hybrid version of the Mariner will be available as well, powered by a 133-hp 2.3-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine along with an electric motor.

© Source: original article on insideline

Inside Track - Sunday mixed bag

It looks like a great day for the finale of the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway this afternoon. John Fletcher will clinch his first OSCAAR crown by starting the race, so not even a flat tire can spoil his run.

Michael Schumacher's hope for another F1 title blew up today in Japan. His only chance is to win in Brazil and have Alonso score no points to win the championship in a tie-breaker (wins).

Was at the CASCAR Super Series / Sportsman Series banquet on Friday night in London. The tone was extremely positive, especially when compared to years passed. Teams have been told to watch for a 2007 NASCAR Cdn. Tire Series sked in early November, which would be about four months better than it's been. The series is also promising a media kit to the racers (at around the same time) to help them sell their programs.

Lots of tributes to Tony Novotny for getting the series so far. Peter Cadiou was honoured by the Novotnys for all his years of service. Most believe that Peter is the only person to have been at every single Super Series race over the years.

There were also lots of 'old timers' there, including original tech guy Louie Bennett and longtime series administrator Chris Hughes.

J.R. Fitzpatrick was toasted with milk (he's not old enough to drink) as part of his recognition for being the final CASCAR Super Series champion. Sportsman champ Shawn McGlynn and Super Series Rookie of the Year Jason Hathaway joined Fitzpatrick in delivering solid acceptance speeches.

There was also a large DaimlerChrsyler / Dodge / MOPAR contingent on hand to celebrate their second consecutive Manufacturers' Cup award.

I haven't seen the ARCA race (because I was at the banquet), but word spread quickly at the party that Pete Shepherd was running in fourth-place with 20 to go when he was involved in 'the big one' at Talladega.

Everyone's still in shock over Mark Martin leaving Roush to drive for another Cup team in 2007. One option that hasn't come up anywhere (that I've seen) was offered by Louie Bennett, at the banquet. Maybe Martin is feathering a bed for his son Matt at another team... an opportunity that Roush wouldn't offer the second-generation racer. Makes as much sense as anything else.

Speaking of Roush, it sounds as though Jack Roush and Geoff Smith have a different idea on whether or not Jacques Villeneuve might drive for the NASCAR team next season.

JACK ROUSH, Owner-Roush Racing - IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT JACQUES VILLENEUVE MIGHT DRIVE A ROUSH VEHICLE NEXT YEAR? "That's a possibility. I know we're in discussions. He came to see us in Detroit and he's been in Charlotte and had discussion around our program and what he can do and the rate of which he could get up to speed. If he's got the stomach for it and if we can find the sponsorship for it, that's certainly a possibility."

GEOFF SMITH, President Roush Racing - IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT JACQUES VILLENEUVE MIGHT DRIVE A ROUSH VEHICLE NEXT YEAR? "The report came over and was translated from Italian, poorly. I didn't really understand what it said, but if it said that he was going to be in a Roush Racing Cup car, the answer is no, we're full up. If the question is whether he's poked around the garage looking for possible opportunities in NASCAR, the answer is yes. I also think it would be fun and exciting for a 35-year-old Formula 1 world champion to be here. But, we do not have a place in our Cup stable. We are constrained. We can only have five. If would could have six, the next announcement that they're about to make would be different."

Hmm....

That's it for now. See some of you at Peterborough, I'm sure.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

2000 Mini Final Edition photos

In 2000, production for the classic Mini ended with 4 special edition cars. The Seven was the most traditional and basic, while the Knightsbridge was more a luxurious, deluxe version. The Cooper and Cooper S were more oriented towards performance.

© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com

Rock and roll cage

Whatever they're feeding Volkwagen's advertising people in the US, we want some.

After the brand-building ingenuity of the GTi Fast promotion, where GTi buyers received a talking plastic 'head' that encouraged them to drive for fun, VW now has the 'V-dubs rock' campaign.

It's perfectly simple: buy a Golf (they call it a Rabbit for some reason), a GTi, Beetle or Jetta and you get a free FirstAct electric guitar.

The guitar plugs into the car's sound system, so you have your very own stadium rock speaker system.

If you've never played the axe before, VW even provides handy online lessons from Dweezil Zappa, son of the legendary Frank Zappa. Check out www.v-dubsrock.com.

There's also a battle of the bands competition where you compete to be a Rock God - and the first prize is a one-off guitar signed and tuned by Slash from Guns 'n' Roses.

© Source: original article on topgear

Yes! Roadster 3.2

(from Funke & Will AG Press Release) The new »YES! Roadster 3.2« is the perfect conceptual advancement of the YES! and sticks to its own principles: pure driving pleasure.
A powerful 3.2-liter-V6-engine with 255 hp produces an un compromising driving machine, one that is powerful, vibrant in its performance and super - charged with passion. The result is an heir honouring its legacy yet adopting trendsetting shapes and technology. – simply a revolutionary evolution!

Compared to its predecessor, the new YES! has grown significantly. Larger engines and a longer wheel base have resulted in more over - hang at the front as well as the rear leading to a more stretched and full of suspense appearance of the roadster. The wedge-shaped ascending side line and the racy accentuated wings in the front and rear do remain THE striking attributes.

For the »YES! Roadster 3.2 Turbo« the concept was taken one step further: an especially developed rear wing spoiler assures the necessary down force, to bring 355 HP safely onto the street.

The »YES Roadster 3.2 Turbo« is a driving machine that relocates limits .

The person driving it has to be capable of accelerating 930 kg in 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h.
Manoeuvring it is a balancing act between dominating and being dominated. The power is
transferred unaltered onto the streets. This is what requires the Turbo’s driver utter concentration.

Rewarded with a unique and sensational sense of driving. An experience you will never forget .

The interior

The interior is the human-machine interface. This is where the driver takes the command, feels the direct contact to the street, navigates and controls the instruments.

The high-strength aluminium-space-frame takes care of the passive safety. Also, driver and passenger are protected by optional airbags if necessary.

High-quality materials combined with chrome and leather applications turn the interior into a sporty unity . Optional equipment and accesories, for example the modern multimedia navigation system and the three-way sound system, offer wide space for individualisation.

© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com

2007 Maserati Gransport Contemporary Classic

(from Maserati Press Release) The Maserati Gransport "Contemporary Classic" Equipment

"The "Contemporary Classic" equipment for the Maserati GranSport gives this coupи a more exclusive look with echoes of a sporty past, a much loved past which has been forgotten with the technological evolution of design.
This equipment remains faithful to the design trends of a classic brand whilst being born into an automotive world in which products are always developed as the results of performances and of mechanical evolution.

The "Contemporary Classic" softly highlights what technology has to offer the customer, showing that the quality of the product is improved by the details, which help to make it more distinctive.
In this case, the interior equipment doesn't upset the mood inspired by the body, but simply stresses it further and makes it more fashionable, without being excessive".

Giorgetto Giugiaro

MASERATI GRANSPORT "CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC"

As a tribute to the enormous success enjoyed by the GranSport, the maximum expression of the coupe concept designed by Giugiaro, Maserati unveils at the Paris Motorshow the new "Contemporary Classic" equipment.
The name "Contemporary Classic" is inspired by the car's style, an icon for Italian design which has become an instant classic. It combines excellent dynamic handling with top level comfort.

EXTERIOR

The equipment provides for 19'', ball-polished wheel rims.

INTERIOR

With the "Contemporary Classic" equipment, the car's pure elegance is underlined by a full leather interior with stylish piping around the seats and dashboard (suggested in the same colour as the bodywork), and is combined with other chic touches, such as light blue instruments with a vintage look and a full leather steering wheel.
Four selections of exterior and interior colours are suggested for the GranSport Contemporary Classic.

Exterior Leather Piping
- White Leather (Natural Hide) White
- Black Leather (Natural Hide) Black
- Green Leather (Natural Hide) Green (Novelty)
- Red Black Red
The Contemporary Classic equipment will be available from Maserati dealers from October 2006.

© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com

Honda money?

You'd never guess there was a new Honda CR-V on the way. Not when the Japanese firm is knocking out the old model with a couple of grand shorn from the price.

Yep, Honda is clearing the decks of the current CR-V with a £2,000 price cut, which is a sure sign of the new model waiting in the wings.

When will we see the next CR-V? Funnily enough, just after Christmas when the current CR-V price slashing comes to an end.

If you really want to save money this Crimbo, may we suggest hanging fire on buying one of the outgoing CR-V models until the New Year when Honda dealers should be stuffing them into Xmas crackers to give away?

© Source: original article on topgear