autos sport

Here at Carscoop, we have a green heart for eco-friendly cars. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered that the annual AltWheels Festival was being held right in our back yard, Boston!

The interactive and informative event was set up behind Boston’s City Hall and took place yesterday and Friday. The event consisted of inventers and futuristic concept vehicles, alternative transportation options from fuel cell vehicles to taxi rickshaws to human-powered transport systems. It was quite the science experiment! Among those alternative fueling methods exhibited during the event included Hybrids, Plug-in Cars (including hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in’s) Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Used Vegetable Oil, and Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Buses. -Continued after the jump

Posted by Daniella

BMW has officially launched the fourth model in the 1-Series range, the 1-Series Convertible which is expected to go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic in spring 2008. Equipped with an electro hydraulic operated soft top that closes within 22 seconds, the 1-Series Convertible will be available in the US in two guises, the 128i which receives a 3.0-liter, 230 Hp inline six-cylinder engine and the 135i with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 Hp. European’s will get a broader range that includes apart from the 135i, the 125i (3.0L, 218 Hp), 120i (2.0L, 170 Hp), 118i (1.8L, 143 Hp) and the 120d (2.0L diesel, 177 Hp). You might also want to check out our BMW 135i Coupe Video by clicking here

Since we learned last night that NBC has decided to revive Knight Rider (click here) with a new TV series next fall, we've been raking our brain to try and find the best candidate to surrogate Knight’s 1980’s Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am. Heck, we even stayed up last night playing around with photoshop just to see what KITT would look like if he were a Chevy Camaro –mmm, maybe, a Cadillac Cien –we liked this one, an Audi R8 –that sucked, even an Impreza WRX STi –that’ll piss off many Texans.

Which one of today’s production cars/concepts do you think would be the ideal choice for KITT’s role? And oh, if you know your way around with Photoshop, don’t hesitate to e-mail us a pic! Have your say in the comments below. -Chops after the jump

Apart from the weird looking X-Head, Suzuki will also introduce a follow up to the striking Kizashi Concept Sedan (click here) previewed at the Frankfurt Show in September at next month’s Tokyo Show. The Kizashi 2 is basically a crossover version of the original concept that takes advantage of AWD system. Differences include the higher ground-clearance and the body cladding which to be frank, doesn’t do justice to the Kizashi. Moreover, instead of using the frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine like the original concept, Suzuki equipped the crossover with a 3.6-liter V6-engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. -Image gallery and press release after the jump

Translated Press Release

Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

The stirring impression the top athlete having and, it adopted the expectation which becomes unknown overflows from inside as design expression the crossover sport wagon. You propose to the user of the wide layer where with the wide field such as the leisure from business, life is enjoyed actively. As for design two keywords, “dignity” and the “stirring impression” adopting the emotional silhouette which raises the satisfaction which uplift impression is owned to running for the axis. As for the 3.6LV type 6 cylinder engine of the sea bass maximum aerodynamic volume displacement not only strong acceleration feeling with the combination with 6 speeds AT, and at high speed regarding cruising, actualizing the running which exceeds class. In addition, you are inserting also the hybrid engine and the like which considers in environment in range of vision.

Just last week, Tokuichi Uranishi, a Toyota executive vice president, told German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, that Lexus is interested in developing a compact hatch. “We can foresee a competitor to the BMW 1-Series” said Uranishi. This year, Lexus expects to sell around 55,000 units in Europe but its targeting annual sales of 150,000 units by 2015 and the addition of a lower priced (than the IS) entry-model would definitely help Lexus achieve that goal.

We’re not sure if this rendering of the so-called BS series that we discovered in the net has anything to do with reality, but we can tell you that if Lexus goes ahead and introduces the compact hatch, it'll most likely be based on the IS platform and mechanics (front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout). -Continued after the jump

Damn; you wait for the weekend to take some time off blogging and Saturday day kicks off with the reveal of GM’s full product portfolio through 2013 (click here) and continues with the official images of the 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible! Needless to say it’s a dam(n) leak… We don’t have any information for the time being besides the fact that the 1-Series Cabriolet will be offered with at least two 6-cylinder engines, a 215 Hp 3.0-litre (125i) and the 306 Hp 3.0-liter bi-turbo (135i). According to our information, the 1-Series Coupe based soft-top will be available from early next year. We’ll get back on this story (there goes Saturday night…) as soon as we retrieve more info. -Follow the jump for the full image gallery

Via: Autoblog.nl (& The Internet...)

We’re quite fine thank you, meaning we haven’t mixed our socks with our underwear -yet... The Tokyo Show isn’t only about cars; it also hosts motorcycle and commercial vehicle premiers. Suzuki on its behalf will show off two motorcycle concepts, the Crosscage and the Biplane. We found a Japanese teaser press release on both concepts but it didn’t make much sense so we can only tell you that the Crosscage uses fuel-cells while the Biplane, which incorporates a V4 engine, draws its inspiration from airplanes. -Continued after the jump

We just finished reading the full summary of UAW’s contract with GM (click here) and guess what; UAW included (by mistake?) GM’s future product portfolio through 2013!!! What a #ucking booboo! The list gives us an unprecedented view of specific product commitments in 16 assembly plants across the USA. As you might have guessed, GM isn't at all happy with UAW as this information is considered highly confidential for apparent competitive reasons. We’ve included the whole list for your gratification right after the jump (click the title or below), but here are a few goodies to get you started:

• Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacements due in 2012
• Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010
• Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009
• Cadillac CTS Wagon to be introduced in 2009
• Cadillac CTS Coupe coming in 2009
• Hummer H3T Pick Up to be introduced shortly
• Hummer H3 and H3T replacement beginning in 2011
• Two midsize / large rear-wheel-drive cars based on the Zeta platform (Camaro) to be introduced in 2011
• Chevrolet to produce large four-door notchback in 2010

No wonder Arnie doesn’t want anyone –especially teenagers (click here) to use cell-phones in their cars... Can you think of a better reason to ban those "devilish" machines in vehicles than this cell-phone related accident caused in Russia?

-More images after the jump

Via: englishrussia

The X-Head is one of Suzuki’s many offerings at the forthcoming 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in late October. According to the Japanese carmaker, X-Head is a new type of lifestyle utility vehicle that incorporates the DNA of the Jimny and Grand Vitara. Huh? Looks more like a Jap version of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog if you ask us, but whatev; it’s not as if you’ll ever see one of these going to production. -Translated press release after the jump

Can you imagine how many tuners will present customization programmes for the “nuovo” 500 once Fiat begins selling it in all of Europe early next year? We’ve already seen a dozen or so propositions and the 500 is (or rather was since 2007’s production is sold out) available only in Italy and France! This one is the work of Italian custom shop, Aznom who picked out a “bumblebee” paintjob theme for the exterior along with 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, Aznom offers three grades of customization –depending on the depth of your wallet, covering the cabin with wood inserts, bi-colour seats etc. -Follow the jump for more pictures and the translated press release

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Aznom

Translated Press Release

Ouuuuch; We admit, the late 3-Series Compact wasn’t a pretty sight to look at and we’d probably have preferred if BMW had ditched it altogether before it even came into production, but isn’t “ditching” it yourself sort of a overly drastic measure…? -Thanks for the tip Feodosiy!

Motortrend’s senior editor, Ed Loh, scooped a Ford S-MAX this morning on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, Ford’s “European Car Of The Year” winner (click here) was equipped with Michigan manufacturer plates, so, as Motortrends’ Kirill Ougarov rightfully points out in his article, this aint no foreign diplomat car. Could it be that Ford’s looking into bringing the high-acclaimed Euro MPV to the States? Up until now and despite Ford CEO Alan Mullaly’s interest in European Fords, the American carmaker has denied any such rumours. On our behalf, we’d really like to see Ford offering the S-MAX to U.S. consumers. We’ve had the chance to drive all versions and it’s one hell of an MPV; not only does it look good but it’s spacious and a treat to drive.

Via: Motortrend

If you’re in your late 20’s – early 30’s like yours truly, you’ve probably spent countless hours as a kid in front of the TV watching Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) and his blacked out K.I.T.T. 2000. Yes, we shamelessly admit that there was a time and a place were we dreamed of driving Knight’s talking Trans-Am –with a handful of chicks in it! But we better stop here before we make a complete “arse” of ourselves… Anyway, what we really wanted to tell you is that NBC is bringing back the 1980s action-drama series. According to Variety, the new "Knight Rider" could air as early as next fall. There’s no word on which car will substitute the Pontiac Trans-Am, but producers are exploring the idea of adding "evil" cars to offset K.I.T.T.

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Variety

Mazda launched a pretty innovative contest today where the winner will have the chance to create a concept that’ll premiere at the 2007 L.A. Show in November. All you have to do is visit Mazda’s dedicated page on Facebook.com (membership required) and submit a 150-word description of your vision on a 2018 MAZDA3 including an optional sketch drawing.

Mazda’s design team will review the entries choosing 10 semi-finalists. Facebook community will then take over picking out five finalists which will be paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept. Finally, the five projects will be subjected to a vote on Facebook. The winner will see his vision of a 2018 Mazda3 in a full-scale model at the LA Show. The contest, which is open only to U.S. residents, will end on November 7, 2007. -Press release after the jump

As many insiders predicted when General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) shook hands earlier this week, the shift of $50 billion in health-care obligations to the union fund was just half the story.

Citing people with knowledge of the plan, Bloomberg is reporting today that GM and UAW have agreed to create a new class of jobs that’d pay about half the current rate thus breaking UAW's tradition of equal earnings for union members. Under the agreement, the so-called non-core employees like janitors and maintenance workers would get receive about $28 an hour in pay and benefits, compared with $51 for present employees. -Continued after the jump