The Cadillac STS symbolises everything the Cadillac brand stands for. Big brother to the already available BLS and SRX, Cadillac’s luxury performance sedan without a doubt spells the new measure of success. It’s bolder in appearance, bigger in its stance and better in everything it has to offer.

Released for the first time in South Africa, the Cadillac STS will be available to the public in a 4.6L Northstar V8 model and comes fitted with a host of advanced luxury features to support its status symbol appeal. This includes a keyless access system with push button start, cruise control, heated leather steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control, a memory package including 8-way power seat adjustments and a 15-speaker Bose surround sound system with 6-disc CD/DVD changer, to name but a few.

Priced at R494 600 the STS is available to test drive at Reeds N1 City.

In early December Porsche will launch a special edition Boxster that has been inspired by the 1960s Porsche Type 718 RS 60 Spyder. Limited to only 1,960 models worldwide the biggest change is the modified exhaust system that consists of a sports exhaust combined with a dual tailpipe that increased engine output to 303 bhp.

Offered in a GT silver metallic grey, the car comes accentuated with a red roof and natural leather interior in Carrera red, though the pictures make it look like a magenta leaning more towards hot pink than red. Thankfully, the car is also offered in dark grey leather with a black roof. The car sits on 19-inch wheel, which spacer plates have moved outwards, and its front end is a standard feature from Porsche’s SportDesign Package. Completing the sporty orientation is the Porsche Active Suspension Management system.

Further features include a windscreen in a black finish, with the center console, headrests and rollbars are all finished in the same GT Silver Metallic finish as the car body. Also finished in GT Silver are the instrument dials that don’t have the usual hood over the cluster but the large central rmp and 2 side gauges continue the sporty, racing style. Each model comes with door trim strips made of stainless steel and embossed with the “RS 60 Spyder” model designation.

Worldwide market launch will be March 2008 with a base price of 53,500 Euro (561,371 ZAR) in Germany and a retail price of 63,873 Euro (671,215 ZAR) (which includes 19% VAT and country specific requirements.)

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Audi officially revealed the new Audi Metroproject Quattro, a design study for the forthcoming Audi A1 as the German auto maker ventures into the sub-compact segment.

The Audi Metroproject Quattro is powered 1.4 liter TFSI engine that produces a total of 150 horsepower mated with a S-tronic Direct Shift Gearbox. Working as a hybrid, a 41 horsepower electric motor sits in the back allowing for a fuel-economy range of 48 mpg. This could mean that the A1 will most likely come with a hybrid variant in its lineup.

The Audi A1 is expected to come in four different variants including a three-door hatchback, a five-door and a coupe and convertible. Power is expected to come from a 1.2 liter engine that will produce up to 170 horsepower. Production on the Audi A1 is scheduled for 2009. Pictures and video after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, today announced the launch of the new model – GT-R. it is peoclaimed as “an ultimate supercar enjoyable to anyone, anywhere, at anytime”. The car will be available mainly through Nissan High Performance Centers.
New GT-R embodies the new understanding and appreciation of natural forces of gravity, inertia and aerodynamics. The car transforms these forces into an absolutely new design, maximal tire grip and airflow.

To increase the interaction between a driver and a vehicle a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) never seen before in the marketplace was designed and became an integral property of a new model. The main principles of a new GT-R are speed and efficiency, high-output with environmental mindfulness and high performance and safety.

So Nissan has designed a completely new model offering advanced high performance for secure and enjoyable driving free of climatic, road condition or driving technique limitations. The car suits to drive on snow, rain or urban areas owing to its advanced technology and driving dynamics.
The perfect characteristics of a new car were reached also through specialized production process. The components are assembled with a special high-precision process, which includes a series of vibration tests. Engines and transmissions are assembled in a “clean room” environment and after its completion every car of the present series undergoes several comprehensive tests to ensure the proper operation of all vehicle components.

The owners of a new GT-R will be offered total support for the first three years of ownership including measurement and adjustment of the engine, transmission and wheel alignment after the first 1000 km.

More images after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

Honda has revealed the look of its Japan-spec S2000 Type S ahead of the car’s local launch at tomorrow’s Tokyo Motor Show. The car is essentially the same package as the U.S. delivered S2000 CR but differs by the inclusion of the standard folding roof instead of the aluminum hardtop as well as a new rear wing diffuser.

The factory-tuned roadster also features firmer suspension, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction plus a unique aerodynamic package. The car is described by its developers as the “closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn,” signifying the desire of its target market of weekend club racers.

The Japanese version comes with the same high-revving four cylinder engine as U.S. spec models, including an identical 237hp and 220Nm of torque output. Complimenting the engine’s output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and a torque-sensing limited slip differential.

Fans of the iconic VW Golf range will have to wait with bated breaths, as the appearance of the the Golf VI is likely to be postponed. An interview with VW’s head of development Ulrich Hackenburg at the Shanghai Show established that VW’s best seller will not be replaced next spring as per original plans. Apparently, the current Golf V is still selling well and there isn’t sufficient reason to effect a hasty replacement. Read the rest of this entry »

Lexus has released six new images of the the IS-F luxury sedan, which was first shown in January at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car is expected to arrive in showrooms in the coming months.

The all-new 2008 IS-F will target the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, delivering more than 400 horsepower and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque from a 5.0-liter V8 engine. It will eventually be offered as a two-door coupe, as well.

Much of the development of the new IS-F took place at Fuji Speedway and the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan. The IS-F is based on the rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS, which is equipped with a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. The IS-F engine is mated to the world’s first eight-speed “direct sport-shift” transmission. A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed that allows for a direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears.

In Drive mode, the IS-F transmission performs smoothly, and the torque converter allows for quick 0-60 acceleration in less than 4.9 seconds. The transmission also features a manual mode operated via a pair of paddles. Downshifts are accompanied by automated throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed. Heavy-duty Brembo brakes with 14.2-inch discs and six-piston calipers ensure all the power is kept under control. The IS-F features custom-designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels as standard.

For more pictures check out Left Lane News

This really can not be called a paint job as it seems this Lamborghini was all done by a marker. Plus it must have taken some serious time to finish a piece like this.

Mitsubishi has released a new images of its 10th generation Lancer Evolution. The official debut will make at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show at the end of October. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be launched towards the end of November. Sales of the EVO X in Europe, USA and the rest of the world will begin in mid 2008.

Mazda has released images of its Taiki Concept ahead of the car’s Tokyo Motor Show debut later this month. Fourth in the Nagare design series — which includes the Mazda Nagare, Mazda Ryuga and Mazda Hakaze — the Taiki furthers the flowing design theme of the previous show cars.

The front-engine rear-drive Taiki is powered by Mazda’s next-generation RENESIS rotary engine, although Mazda failed to release any further information about the drivetrain. Mazda says the design of the two-seat Taiki “was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo – the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend – floating down from the sky.”

According to Mazda, the theme of the Tokyo Motor Show will be “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom- Mazda’s showroom today and in the future.” The Taiki will share the Tokyo stage with the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the all-new Mazda Atenza — the Mazda6 here in the U.S.

[Source]

German tuners have just unveiled their BRABUS D3 S POWER XTRA upgrade for the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. The plug-in kit produces an additional 50 PS (49HP)/36.8 kW more power and an extra 80 Nm of torque combined with maximum environmental friendliness in harmony with the euro-IV emission limits. Read the rest of this entry »