Volkswagen Sharan BlueMotion 7

Germans are now able to buy a minivan that gets better mileage than most cars in the U.S. Probably better than most compact cars, even. The VW Sharan BlueMotion is a diesel 7-seater that burns 6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (38 mpg US) and emits 159g/km of CO2 (compared to 177g/km for the non-BlueMotion version, and 104g/km for a Toyota Prius hybrid).

Specifications for the VW Sharan BlueMotion

The engine is a 140hp 2.0L turbo-diesel (TDI) with a particulate filter at the exhaust. With its 70-liter fuel tank, range between fill ups could be almost 700 miles. Prices start at €32,200. Lets hope that Volkswagen will consider bringing it to North-America (with its new cleaner diesel technology). It would be a very practical vehicle for those who need to carry many people, and running on biodiesel (from waste cooking grease or algae, preferably), it would be fairly green (not a bicycle for sure, but better than a lot of what's on the road).
The vehicle is fitted as standard with a comprehensive range of comfort and safety equipment including air conditioning, seven individual seats, six airbags and ABS.

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08 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Pictures

Subaru has at last revealed details of its hardcore new Impreza WRX STI which is substantially different to the non-turbo five-door models now being delivered to first customers.

And with a heavily-revised new 296 bhp turbocharged 2.5 liter 'boxer' engine, totally new platform and suspension plus even more advanced symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the World Rally Championship look-alike is sure to satisfy Subaru traditionalists.

At the rear, four exhaust pipes twinned in pairs at either side of the body not only give a distinctive look but reduce exhaust air-flow resistance by 38 per cent, increasing power and reducing noise.

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new versions of the Impreza

Considering it took Subaru nine years to expand from four to five global model lines, you might think it will be a long time before there is another bout of significant activity from the Japanese car maker.

But the opposite appears to be the case.

Subaru will build almost 600,000 cars this year. As an independent, that makes it too big to be niche, and too small to be secure. It has mid- to-long-term plans to increase sales to 800,000 a year.

An all-new Impreza hatch and sedan - including the iconic WRX turbo - are expected late next year. In 2008 we'll see the third-generation Forester and in 2009 the next Liberty/Outback.

But just as significant for Subaru's global growth target will be the debut of turbo-diesel technology. It should first appear in Europe late next year, where compression ignition engines now dominate most markets.

First up should be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer and later a six-cylinder 3.0-litre boxer. These engines are expected to lift Subaru's European sales performance in the next few years and account for most of its increased global volume.

There is certainly potential for improvement. Subaru's annual sales in Australia outnumber the combined sales of Germany, France, Britain, Spain and Switzerland.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel should first appear in the Outback, arriving in Australia late in 2008 or early 2009. Petrol engines aren't being ignored, with a bigger 3.6-litre six-cylinder said to be under development, along with improved turbos that will help to power the next-generation performance models.

Further out, a newly formed alliance with Toyota - replacing an unsuccessful relationship with General Motors - has given Subaru access to hybrid technology. But don't expect to see a petrol-electric Subaru this decade.

And what of an expansion beyond five model lines? According to Australian managing director Nick Senior, the emphasis will be on the styling of the next generation of existing models, starting with Impreza.

Versatility and flexibility will also become a design imperative. Senior revealed that Ikuo Mori, the new president of Subaru's parent, Fuji Heavy Industries, had reopened studies into several projects aborted by the previous leadership. These include a vehicle based on the Liberty platform that is similar in concept to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class compact people-mover.

"It is being looked at again," confirmed Senior. "It is one of a number of cars with potential."

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New Subaru

Subaru’s managing director Richard Taylor believes that the Banbury-based outfit will be back fighting for wins in 2008.Subaru have really struggled in the last two years in the
WRC and haven’t won now since 2005. During the season just gone the team only just finished ahead of the Ford ‘B’ team in the manufacturers’, 6 points up on the Stobart outfit and with only two podiums all season there was little to get excited about. Despite that though, Taylor is hopeful that with the new Impreza they will be able …

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BMW New Class

1. The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977.

Powered by BMW's celebrated four-cylinder M10 engine, the New Class models featured a fully independent suspension, MacPherson struts in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two-door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of the 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966.

Sharing little in common with the rest the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famed BMW 3 Series, the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier performance car maker.

New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six-cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, the 2002 replaced by the 320i in 1975.

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NASCAR Racing

NASCAR Racing has become one of the most popular sports in America and its popularity is increasing every year. For those of us who are NASCAR fans we completely understand why it has increased in popularity, but many others don't understand why. To those non-NASCAR fans, they ask, "What is there to love about a sport with just left turns?".

So why is NASCAR racing so popular? It is hard to say, but I think that there are several reasons that come up over and over. This article will explore why NASCAR fans love the sport so much..

The first reason that NASCAR racing is so popular is that it is easy to follow. My wife has watched football all of her life, but to this day she does not truly understand the rules. However, the rules of NASCAR racing are fairly easy. As with any race, the NASCAR driver that finishes first wins. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Over 100,000 NASCAR fans show up at the racetrack every week to watch their favorite NASCAR drivers race toward the Sprint Cup. But many million more fans have a Sunday ritual of watching television on race day. This doesn't even count the many more who gain access to BUSCH races, qualifying sessions, and practice sessions. There are also many race fans who make big weekend events out of races with tailgating and barbeque grilling.

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nascar testing

Man, how crazy is this? While wind tunnel testing is perfect for planes and other flying vehicles at times they’re not so perfect when dealing with cars, especially at very high speeds. The road surface sometimes leads to incorrect readings since wind travelling at 200+ mph likes to stick to the floor. So for a more accurate way to test their cars the Haas CNC Racing NASCAR team has created this full-size rolling road testing facility called WindShear Inc.

That track is actually a 1mm thick steel belt capable of rolling at over 180 mph! It has sensors located underneath that can take readings for each wheel and the whole setup seen here will be used inside a massive wind tunnel to accurately recreate the driving conditions on a NASCAR track. Minus of course the left-hand turns.

[ Jalopnik - Haas Builds Rolling Road Wind Tunnel ] VIA [ Autoblog ]

A larger picture of the testing rig is available after the jump that better shows the scale of this setup.

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ferari article

• Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1928 as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A.. Throughout its history, the company has been noted for its continued participation in racing, especially in Formula One, where it has enjoyed great success.

After years of financial struggles, Enzo Ferrari sold the company's sports car division to the Fiat group in 1969 to ensure continued financial backing. Enzo Ferrari retained control of the racing division until his death in 1988 at the age of 90. Earlier that year he had overseen the launch of the Ferrari F40; the last new Ferrari to be launched before his death, and arguably one of the most famous supercars ever made.

Ferrari also has an internally managed merchandising line that licenses many products bearing the Ferrari brand, including eyewear, pens, pencils, electronic goods, perfume, clothing, high-tech bicycles, watches, cell phones, and even laptop computers.

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