BMW Gran Turismo officially confirmed

Rumors about the production version of the BMW CS Concept unveiled this year at the Shanghai Auto Show have been circulated for quite a while now. But now those rumors has been officially confirmed by BMW: the Gran Turismo will be made under the leadership of Gerhard Richter.

As the BMW Germany reports Gerhard Richter will start working on the future Gran Turismo in January 2008.

The BMW CS Concept unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show combines stylish luxury with the most uncompromising ambiance full of class and value. BMW says that the production version will feature the same luxury and also the latest BMW technologies.

2008 Toyota RAV-4 XT-R

New RAV4 is lined up for 2008, ensuring Toyota customers can enjoy some true New Year bargains. With high equipment specifications, competitive on-the-road prices and the benefit of Toyota’s hallmark quality, durability and driving pleasure, they are perfectly positioned and priced to succeed.

The new RAV4 XT-R is set to become the most popular version of Europe’s best-selling SUV, offering customers an upgraded specification that covers all bases in terms of style, comfort and convenience.

Even though it goes beyond the equipment level provided in the XT4 model, the XT-R costs the customer less: taking the full specification into the equation, the total added value is worth £1,565.

On the outside the XT-R is distinguished by its dark-tinted rear privacy glass, new-design six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome-finished grille, front under-bumper protection plate and bespoke XT-R badging. In place of a spare wheel there is an easy-to-use tyre repair kit. Deleting the rear-mounted spare means the XT-R gains a wide-opening tailgate.

Tyrol Silver metallic, Carbon Quartz metallic, Dark Blue metallic and Astral Black paint finishes are available, with no extra charge for metallic shades.

The XT-R has a dedicated interior trim finish and is equipped with Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation, with steering wheel-mounted controls. Rear parking sensors complete the added features list, with leather upholstery available as an option.

Apart from the leather upholstery, the XT-R matches the XT4 specification with dual-zone climate control, front fog lamps, heated retractable door mirrors, six-speaker audio system with six-CD autochanger, and sunroof. Manual versions come with Hill-start Assist Control and automatic with Downhill Assist Control, while all versions benefit from Toyota’s Integrated Active Drive system. Passive safety features include a full suite of nine airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.

The RAV4 XT-R is available with both 2.0 VVT-i petrol and 2.2 D-4D 140 diesel power. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard on the petrol version, with the option of a four-speed automatic transmission; the D-4D is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox

Beauty and intelligence in formula

Beauty and intelligence is back in the Paddock in the shape of the 10 extraordinary ladies

Beauty and intelligence is back in the Paddock in the shape of the 10 extraordinary ladies invited by Red Bull to every GP to compete in the Formula Una Ladies Award

news Ferrari building new simulator

i read a news that Ferrari is hard at work on a new formula one simulator, according to reports in the Spanish press. The sports daily Marca claims that Marc Gene is at the forefront of the high-tech equipment's development, and that his test at Jerez this week was almost exclusively centred on collecting information for the simulator.



McLaren's top secret state-of-the-art simulator is known as being currently the best among F1 teams, and it took much of the credit for Lewis Hamilton's sensational rookie season in 2007. Red Bull was believed to be building a similar unit and software for its own factory.

But Marca believes that Ferrari's new simulator will be superior to all others in F1, following more than 18 months of development led by Felipe Massa's former race engineer Gabriele Delli Colli.

Gene, Ferrari's secondary test driver, commented that the simulator is already operating at an advanced level. “I haven't tested like this for nearly a year and I should be a lot more rusty,” the Spaniard said at Jerez earlier this week, “but I am only a half or second or so away from Räikkönen. This is thanks to the simulator, which allows you to keep pace. It is a very big help,” he added.

Land Rover Discovery 3 - best 4x4 on the planet

The Land Rover Discovery 3 has been voted the best 4x4 of 2007 by Planet 4x4 magazine. Fighting off competition from 36 other vehicles, the Discovery 3 proved unbeatable on practicality, packaging, off road ability and all-round dynamics, scoring 819.4 out of a possible 1000.

In fact, Land Rover swept the board with the Range Rover voted overall runner up – just 4.1% behind the Discovery 3, and Range Rover Sport and Freelander 2 both scooping class wins.

"With the top three overall places in 2006 and a clean sweep of class awards this year, Land Rover is getting it right at just about every level. One tester after another was wowed by the Range Rover’s class, the Sport’s style and the Discovery’s practicality," said Alan Kidd, editor of Planet 4x4 magazine.

"But what I think Land Rover can be particularly proud of is that this result comes in a competition where scores for off-roading meant almost nothing – and value for money counted towards almost a quarter of the total mark. It would be easy to write this off as a series of victories for the most expensive machines... but in reality, it shows that with Land Rover, you really do get what you pay for."

Mattias Ekström Won the "Race Of Champions"

DTM champion beats Michael Schumacher in finale Audi factory driver’s second consecutive win Audi A4 DTM and Audi R10 TDI thrill 50,000 fans Mattias Ekström has made one of his biggest dreams come true: In the final round of the "Race of Champions" the Audi driver defeated the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, triumphing for the second time in a row at the motorsport spectacle that was staged in front of over 50,000 spectators at London’s Wembley Stadium for the first time this year. Also part of the action were stars like David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Heikki Kovalainen, Sébastien Bourdais, Marcus Grönholm and Petter Solberg.



"For me, Michael Schumacher is one of the world’s greatest drivers. To beat him in the same equipment is an incredible experience I won’t forget for a long time," said the elated 29-year-old Swede after the nail-biting finale. After Ekström and Schumacher had each won a round, the third heat had to produce the decision. As at the DTM finale two months earlier, Ekström kept his cool in front of the impressive backdrop of the stadium and did not give his role model Michael Schumacher the slightest chance. Before that, he had eliminated – among others – Britain’s World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx.

2008 Infiniti EX now on sale

Infiniti announced that the all-new 2008 EX35 personal luxury crossover SUV is on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide beginning today. The new Infiniti EX offers an exceptional combination of seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology – including available Around View Monitor (AVM) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems and standard “Scratch Shield” paint.

The 2008 EX is offered in four models – EX35 RWD (rear-wheel drive), EX35 RWD Journey, EX35 AWD (all-wheel drive) and EX35 AWD Journey. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $31,300 for the EX RWD and $34,850 for the EX RWD Journey. The EX35 AWD with ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system is priced at $32,700 and $36,250 for the EX35 AWD Journey model.


“We’re pleased to be making the new Infiniti EX35 available just in time for that last-minute holiday shopping,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti. “With its long list of advanced technology features, EX is a perfect companion for all the other high-tech items on car enthusiasts’ shopping lists. And, with its available intelligent all-wheel drive, EX is also the perfect vehicle for holiday getaways, no matter what the weather may bring.”

2008 Infiniti EX35



EX35’s sculpted elegance expresses a timeless appeal, with sleek lines that portray speed, grace and finesse. Its layout combines the look and feel of a luxury coupe and an SUV’s interior flexibility. EX35 is also conceived to offer a reinvigorating and engaging interior environment, with a long list of features including leather-appointed seating, power-folding 2nd row seat and available advanced audio and navigation systems.


Available industry-leading EX35 technology features include the Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which utilizes four small cameras to give the driver a “top-down view” of the outside of the vehicle while parking and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which uses the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system to help assist the driver in maintaining lane position if the vehicle inadvertently starts to drift out of the intended lane. The new EX also features standard “Scratch Shield” paint, a special “self-healing” clear coat designed to maintain its gloss level over time and keep the EX looking new.

Like every Infiniti model, the 2008 EX35 also emphasizes exhilarating driving performance, combining a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode and Drive Sport Mode (DSM), assisted by Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), and available intelligent all-wheel drive.

Additional available technology features include RearView Monitor, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). For audiophiles, EX offers an available 11-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System with Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, two subwoofers, 6CD in-dash changer and iPod® connectivity. Also offered is an available advanced voice-activated, touch-screen Infiniti Navigation System featuring available XM® NavTraffic™ with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® subscription, sold separately), which includes a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback.

All 2008 EX models offer a long list of standard equipment, including Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, aluminum interior trim, 7-inch color monitor display, 8-way power driver’s seat, “Scratch Shield” paint and more.


EX35 Journey models add power slide/tilt moonroof with one-touch activation, front and rear leather-appointed seating surfaces, power-folding 2nd row seat, auto-dimming inside mirror with electronic compass, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, front and rear sonar system and auto on/off headlights.

2008 EX35 equipment packages include the Premium Package; Luxe Elite Package; Navigation Package; Technology Package; and Luxe Style Package. Also offered are roof rails and maple wood trim