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2010 Nissan Qashqai Compact Crossover
Nissan has given its European market compact crossover, the Qashqai, a mid-life makeover for 2010 to prolong its appeal to consumers. Most of the cosmetic changes concern the front end as hood, bumper, fenders, grille and headlights have all been revised giving the Qashai a much more aggressive look.
The Nissan Qashqai is an auto that’s better gazed upon than mentioned. It has a difficult and queer-sounding name that’s pronounced as Cash Kai but it does not mean you need plenty of cash to get it. Guess what, this car was tested and is the recipient of the highest ever EuroNCAP crash rating making it a small but one of the safest cars in Europe if not the world.
Excellent safety features aside, the Nissan Qashqai is good-looking and can match the looks of the mini. It may be small but it looks bulky with a distinctive front thanks to the large front lights. It has 16-inch alloy wheels but you can opt for the 17-inch wheels at an additional cost of £700 but if you’re opting for the higher-end Tekna trim then the 17-inch wheels come as a standard feature.
2010 Nissan Qashqai Compact Crossover
In the 2010 model, there are also two new exterior colors, revised tail lights with LED technology, and newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels. These styling changes together with a series of other improvements are said to have reduced the Qashqai’s drag coefficient from 0.34 to 0.33.
The Nissan’s interior is logically laid out – if a little plain – and the build quality is top-notch, with soft-touch plastics and well damped switchgear. There is plenty of storage, too, with a large glovebox and decent door pockets.
The car will be offered with three engines when launched in February. There are two petrol units – an 113bhp 1.6-litre and 138bhp 2.0-litre – and one diesel, the 105bhp 1.5 dCi. The 148bhp 2.0 oil-burner will arrive in June.
While the smaller petrol unit is expected to account for the majority of sales, it’s the larger diesel which is our pick of the line-up. The Renault-sourced unit is punchy, responsive and superbly refined. Its 320Nm of torque peaks at only 2,000rpm, but it doesn’t run out of breath further up the rev range.
2010 Nissan Qashqai Compact Crossover

Posted by RAJ Tuesday, November 30, 2010 0 comments

Mercedes has promised to be 'fully flexible' with its next generation of cars so that anything available in left-hand-drive models can also be fitted for right-hand drive markets like hybrid technology and 4-Matic.

'We know we have maybe not done enough in the past, but in future there will be no restrictions,' said Dr Thomas Weber, the company's head of research and development. The head of Mercedes UK, Wilfried Steffen said with the next generation of cars, you will be able to have everything. We will prepare our vehicles for all markets.'

For many years, British buyers have been without the 4-Matic available on many cars sold in Europe and America because it was never engineered to fit into right-hand-drive models. The GLK compact SUV is not sold here for the same reason. That left Mercedes UK missing a rival for the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander, Infiniti EX, Cadillac SRX and Audi Q5, as well as a series of cars that could compete with Audi's Quattro range.

The change of heart is particularly important with greater hybridisation of the range on the way. With countries all around the world targeting lower fuel consumption and CO2, none would want to miss out on technology that could help achieve those goals.

Dr Weber says there will be a hybrid version of every Mercedes 'above the C-Class', so that includes the E-Class, GL-Class, GLK, SLK, SL-Class and Viano and the flagship S-Class – at the Frankfurt show last Autumn the company announced it would offer a 90mpg, 74g/km hybrid version of the next-generation model, but that's at least two years away. A S-Class hybrid is already available.

In the meantime, the current car is to get a 4 cylinder diesel engine because of demand from markets where there are CO2-related motoring taxes. This will be badged S300 CDI and will be powered by a high-power version of the company's 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine. Despite the relatively small capacity, it shouldn't be short of muscle – Dr Weber promises it will deliver 370lb ft of torque.

Posted by RAJ Monday, November 29, 2010 0 comments

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car
Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car. The first year for Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009.
The Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car is equipped with a stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents. The pace car also features unique design cues that further enhance the Camaro’s head-turning design. Features unique to the pace car include: 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests, 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders, All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory, Amber lens tail lamps, Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar) and All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car
Starting at approximately $23,000, and offering an EPA-estimated 29 highway mpg on the V-6-powered car, the all-new Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. Despite the recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months.
The public will get their first look at the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car when it makes its auto show debut at the Indianapolis Auto Show starting on Dec. 26.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car

Press Release:
Chevrolet Camaro SS to pace 2010 Indianapolis 500
Rally Stripe Paint Scheme Pays Tribute to ‘69 Camaro Pace Car
INDIANAPOLIS — Officials from Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car at the Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum today.
“We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the years, and are proud to once again have the privilege of pacing the Indianapolis 500 in a Camaro,” said Jim Campbell, General Manager, Chevrolet.
The 2010 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 pace car is a 21st century sports car that looks to the future with a nod to both the car’s and the race’s heritage. The first year for Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009.
This year’s pace car features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint scheme with White Diamond rally stripes that travel from the front to the rear over the top of the body, as well as extending to the instrument panel. The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.
“Chevrolet has done it again with the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car, it is simply beautiful,” said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. “The car’s tribute to ‘500′ history and its sports car feel will be a big hit with our fans, and it will look great leading the Indianapolis 500 field on Race Day.”
This year’s pace car is equipped with a stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents. The pace car also features unique design cues that further enhance the Camaro’s head-turning design. Features unique to the pace car include:
2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests
2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders
All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory
Amber lens tail lamps
Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar)
All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching
Starting at approximately $23,000, and offering an EPA-estimated 29 highway mpg on the V-6-powered car, the all-new Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. Despite the recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months.
The public will get their first look at the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car when it makes its auto show debut at the Indianapolis Auto Show starting on Dec. 26.
Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest-growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. The 2009 racing season marked the 100th anniversary of the Speedway and the start of its Centennial Era, which continues with the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.
For 2010, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, the Brickyard 400 on July 25 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 29. For tickets and information, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

Posted by RAJ Sunday, November 28, 2010 0 comments

That's the million dollar question in the fuel economy test. Two middle-aged men, Dom Jolly and Rufus Hound made a trip from the Volvo UK HQ in Marlow, Buckinghamshire to Milano, Italy and back again. Why? It's a journey about friendship and fuel economy, primarily the latter.

The car used is a 2009 Volvo V70 DRIVe which is powered by a 1.6 litre turbo-charged diesel engine, producing 109PS. Fuel economy is rated at 57.7mpg combined with a CO2 output of 129g/km. Prices start at £23,245.

The two part video can be viewed here.

Posted by RAJ Saturday, November 27, 2010 0 comments

Jaguar 2003 Season F1 Car

Posted by RAJ Friday, November 26, 2010 0 comments

Honda NSX re-developed By John Danby Racing
It was built for David Fenn, racer and huge fan of NSX, to enter the last round of Britcar championship at Brands Hatch on the 7th November.
“The uniqueness and advanced technology involved in this project presented several new challenges and we are pleased to debut this exciting car at the last event of the 2009 season,” says John Danby, Team Principal.
Apparently 5th Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson will drive the debut race for the Honda NSX alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race. Although the NSX is quit old now, but it still can cut it.
We're not sure how many of you follow the Britcar Championship, but even if you don't, we gather that you'll appreciate these photos of John Danby Racing team's newly developed Honda NSX racer. The matte black Japanese sportscar was built to comply with the Britcar Production regulations and has already completed a successful shakedown test at Snetterton in Norfolk last Friday ahead of its debut at the season's final round at Brands Hatch on November 7.
Honda NSX re-developed By John Danby Racing
John Danby Racing have developed the car to include the latest technology and features innovative engine control and data-logging capabilities including GPS, Fly by Wire and live feed video. High specification custom solutions have also been engineered for the NSX such as dampers and brakes.
Motoring journalist and television personality Vicki Butler-Henderson will drive the debut race for the Honda NSX alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race. Car owner and Britcar regular David Fenn will then drive the NSX in the evening GT race alongside Barclay.
“We are excited with the potential of the NSX following our test programme and look forward to a solid debut performance,” says John Danby.

Posted by RAJ Thursday, November 25, 2010 0 comments

A series of new special-edition Hyundai models will arrive in 2010, bringing upgraded styling and equipment to the i10, i20 and i30 ranges.

Prices for the new models – all called Edition – start at £8,425 for a 1.1 litre i10 and run to £14,700 for the 1.6 CRDi i30.

At the top of the range, the i30 Edition has a sporty look and the choice of petrol or diesel engines, with prices from £13,400. Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, sports pedals, remote central locking and 4 electric windows, while an engine stop-start system is a £200 option.

The i20 Edition comes with the 1.2 litre petrol engine, in both 3 & 5dr bodies, and with a choice of two optional exterior colours. Costing from £10,565, it has half-leather seat trim, air conditioning and remote central locking.

The cheapest of the new Edition models is the i10, which comes with a 1.1 litre petrol engine and alloy wheels, side mouldings and front fog-lights, air-conditioning and electric windows. Thanks to its 119g/km CO2 emissions, its annual road tax will cost just £35.

Posted by RAJ Tuesday, November 23, 2010 0 comments

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