Car Magazine Bags 2010 Grand Bentley in the Flesh

For a moment there I had a 'grand' flashback that took me back to my junior years and my neighbor's "swanky" 1970s Ford LTD - that's the Australian market model which you can check out after the jump. In all fairness, I must say that Ford's Aussie limo shamelessly aped traditional Rolls Royce and Bentley styling cues. But anyway, back to today, the crew over at UK's Car Magazine somehow managed to photograph the Arnage's successor, currently referred to as the 'Grand Bentley', in production guise at Bentley's Crewe headquarters.

The photos reveal that the new Arnage (Bentley has yet to reveal the official name) will have a 'grand' front end dominated by a massive grille that's flanked by a pair of headlamps that are surrounded by small LEDs. There's also a cryptic photo of the rear end that suggests a more curvy design for the Grand Bentley's arse.

The VW Group owned automaker has not released any information on its Rolls Royce Phantom challenger, but it is said that the British firm's flagship limo will use a modified version of the Audi A8's spaceframe chassis as well as new range of engines that might include a Flex-Fuel variant capable of running on either petrol or E85 biofuel or any combination of the two.

The Arnage's successor is expected to be officially revealed later in the summer.

Via: Car

Alfa Romeo Milano Exposed on the Assembly Line!

So much for Alfa Romeo's attempts keep the prototype models of the forthcoming Milano hatchback under cover. Our fellow Italian bloggers at Autoblog.it have published a photograph of the 147's replacement that was apparently shot at the assembly line, exposing the Milano's snout for the first time. As anticipated, the Milano's front-end styling takes cues from both the MiTo and the 8C Competizione, with the photo revealing that some versions will get a set of daytime running lights comprising a strip of LEDs on each side of the headlamps.

Similar in size to the Volkswagen Golf, the Alfa Romeo Milano is the Fiat Group's proposal in the premium compact hatchback segment aimed squarely at the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3.

Underneath the sheetmetal lies the latest version of the Fiat Group's C- and D-segment platform which is known as the C-Evo. Powertrain options for the Milano are expected to include 1.4-liter and 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines producing up to 200HP+ and of course, numerous four-pot diesel engines.

For more info on the Milano, click here to read our previous post that includes spy shots from the 'Ring.

Via: Autoblog.it

2010 MINI One D: New Diesel Model Returns 60.3mpg - 3.9lt/100km

A new entry-level diesel model is going to join the MINI hatchback's European range from September 2009. The MINI One D uses a detuned version of the Cooper D's 110HP 1.6-liter common rail turbo diesel producing 90 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm or 159 lb-ft from 1,750 rpm. With this engine that is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the MINI completes the sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 182 km/h or 113 mph.

As with other models from the BMW Group, the MINI One D features numerous fuel efficiency-enhancing measures including a Brake Energy Regeneration system that concentrates power generation for the on-board power supply when the car is braking and coasting, and the Auto Start Stop Function.

The result is an average fuel consumption of just 3.9 lt/100km or 60.3mpg US in the EU test cycle, with corresponding CO2 emissions of at 104 grams per kilometer.

Like its MINI One petrol sibling, the base diesel model is distinguished by its roof in body color along with the black mirror caps and a black boot lid handle.

Porsche to Celebrate 917 Race Car's 40th Anniversary at Goodwood Festival

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic Porsche 917, the first Porsche to win Le Mans and one of the most recognizable and successful race car's ever to come out of Stuttgart. To commemorate the event, Porsche is planning to bring a collection of 917s to this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK including the 1970 Le Mans winner and the distinctively-liveried 917/20 'Pink Pig'.

According to Porsche, the 917s at Goodwood will be accompanied by an array of drivers that will be reunited with their race cars such as Richard Attwood, former F1 driver and 1970 Le Mans winner for Porsche, driving a 917; Brian Redman will be behind the wheel of the 917/30 CanAm racer; David Piper, who bought a 917 new from the factory in 1969, will be driving his own car while Jackie Oliver, who was the Le Mans winner in 1969, will meet again with the Gulf-liveried 917.

Senner Releases New Sports Package for Audi A5 Coupe

If there's one thing that Audi A5 owners shouldn't be complaining about, is the lack of variety in tuning proposals. It's got to the point where tuners like Senner are introducing one package after the other. The German firm's latest offerings include a new styling package with various options for both the interior and exterior that can be combined with a kit for the 3.0-liter TDI diesel engine that lifts output to 300HP and 600Nm for a top speed of 280km/h or 174mph.

Senner Tuning's aerodynamic package consists of a carbon fiber front spoiler apron, carbon-fiber mirror housings, a rear spoiler and spoiler lip, and a carbon fiber rear bumper.

Other available mods include a Bilstein B16 PSS10 coilover suspension which is fully adjustable with individual height adjustment and a new stainless steel exhaust system with 4 tailpipes plus a set of 21-inch Evo DS Carlsson alloy wheels.

Spied: 2010 Hyundai Tucson Compact SUV Development Continues

If our sources are correct, we will be seeing the next-generation Hyundai Tucson making its world debut this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show with sales beginning in Europe and Korea before the end of the year and in North America, sometime during the first half of 2010. In the meantime, Hyundai is continuing to develop the Tucson which was captured here out in Death Valley by Automotive Traveler's Rich Truesdell.

The prototype models are still under heavy camouflage but Hyundai gave us a taste of the styling direction it plans to take with the new Tucson in Geneva with the 'ix-onix' concept study (see pics below).

Eyeing Toyota's RAV-4 and Honda's CR-V, the Korean firm's compact SUV will most likely carry the iX35 moniker at least in Europe and it will be offered with various petrol and diesel engine options including the final production version of the concept vehicle's 175HP 1.6-litre turbocharged four-banger petrol.

Spy Photos: Automotive Traveler

New Chevy Camaro Confirmed for Europe

Chevrolet has confirmed that its highly successful in the U.S. 2010 Camaro coupe will make it across the pond. Jurgen Keller, general manager at Chevrolet Germany told Auto Motor und Sport that despite the economic turmoil, GM has decided to bring the rear-wheel drive muscle car over to Europe and that Germany will definitely be among the countries to receive the car. Keller added that GM has not yet set a date for the European market launch of the Camaro.

In the States the Camaro is available with a 304HP 3.6-liter V6 and a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 426HP when combined with a manual gearbox and 400HP with an auto. Prices range from $23,040 (€16,400 at today's exchange rates) for the LS V6 to $35,425 (about €25,215) for the 2SS V8.

Apparently there's no way of knowing how much the Camaro will cost in Germany - though an independent dealer imports the Camaro 2LT V6 for €39,900 and the V8 SS for €50,615.

Just for the record, let us tell you that a three-door Toyota Yaris Executive with the 100HP 1.33-liter petrol engine will cost you in Germany €17,150 or at today's exchange rates, about $24,100 while the Alfa Romeo MiTo that has captured the imagination of U.S. readers, costs €16,200 or around $22,800 when equipped with a 1.4-liter petrol engine that makes a puny 98HP.

And yes, I'm well aware that you cannot directly compare prices because of the different taxation systems, exchange rates etc but American consumers should feel God damn lucky that with $23k they can go and buy a 300HP rear-wheel drive muscle car instead of a Yaris or a Mito. Nuff said.

Source: AMS