Hyundai Blue2 Concept

Hyundai has just unveiled the all-new Hyundai Blue2 Concept car at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show in Korea. 2011 Hyundai Blue2 Concept aims to satisfy all the senses of future drivers, including the air they breathe. Hyundai Blue2 concept is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW (1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 34.9km/l.

The concept is the Korean automaker's first sedan-style FCEV. Hyundai did not disclose production plans for the Blue2, which it says is read as "Blue Square," but it appears to be focusing more on hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles than pure electric vehicles at this point. Hyundai says that the name comes from a combination of the company's "Blue Drive" and the number 2 from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Aesthetically speaking, the Blue2 Sedan Concept has an exterior whose design language is being described as ‘Intersected Flow’ with other external features complementing the contoured form of the car, including the LCD screen panels on both the front and back, side cameras in place of the standard side mirrors, a roof camera, and automatic opening doors.





Press Release

Hyundai to Showcase New Thinking at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show

• Hyundai unveils next-gen FCEV sedan concept ‘Blue2' and Sonata Hybrid

• Cutting-edge eco-friendly and telematics technologies show Hyundai's future

• Separate booth displays Hyundai's latest commercial vehicle technology

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, showcased its latest `new thinking' on products, technologies and services to the world at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, which opened today under the theme of ‘Evolution, Green Revolution on Wheels.'

Hyundai unveiled its latest eco-friendly creation, the Blue2 (Read as "Blue square") concept vehicle, the company's first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen. The automaker also introduced its first gasoline-hybrid vehicle, the Sonata Hybrid, to its home market. Most importantly, Hyundai applied its new brand direction, "New Thinking. New Possibilities.", throughout its exhibition, including its customer-oriented booth design, entertaining displays and cutting edge future technologies.

"Hyundai's goal is not to be the biggest car company, but the most loved. We want to be a reliable partner to our customers, supporting their happiness, rather than a company that pursues its own interests," said Steve S. Yang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor. "We will ceaselessly introduce world-class products of the best quality to overcome the difficult market environment and turn it into an opportunity, while modestly listening to the voice of the customer." In particular, Hyundai will focus on "improving quality, creating new values through new thinking, and developing advanced eco-friendly technologies to contribute to a greener society," Yang said.

Blue2

Hyundai Motor staged a world premiere of its new concept car, Blue2 (codenamed HND-6), a mid-size FCEV which shows a blueprint for future sedans. The name ‘Blue2' is a combination of Hyundai's sub eco-brand ‘Blue Drive' and the number `2' from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Aiming at gaining early leadership of the FCEV market, Blue2 is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW(1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 34.9km/?. The Blue2 is materialized in a sporty and luxurious style, a combination of futuristic, flowing designs and eco-friendly features. The Blue2 is equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance, while the car's interior design encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

Hyundai's concept keywords for the exterior design are ‘Intersected Flow,' featuring innovative and dynamic designs. The vehicle's condition is visible via unique and futuristic images on the exterior of the car through outside LED screen panels, which are located on both the front and rear of the car. Blue2 also features a welcome system which recognizes the driver, while an automatic opening door system enhances the driver's convenience. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera, offering a state-of-the-art driving environment.

The exterior designs flow inside the vehicle, with asymmetrically-designed dashboards and doors to optimize a driver's convenience and add emotional value. Wider seats enable people to get in and out of the vehicle more comfortably.

Hyundai combined the cluster and center fascia, applying an advanced Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor and ultra-light tempered glass, called Gorilla® Glass, providing more accurate and vivid graphic information. The infotainment system is operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver's touch and hand movements, respectively, giving drivers a new experience.

Blue2 aims to satisfy all the senses of future drivers, including the air they breathe: A cluster ionizer freshens the air inside the vehicle, while antibacterial genuine leather with leaf-shaped patterns, called ‘eco-graphic perforation,' enhances an eco-friendly look and feel.

Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai also unveiled its first gasoline hybrid model, the Sonata Hybrid, to its home market. The Sonata Hybrid, which made its world debut at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, also encompasses Hyundai's new thinking, as Hyundai developed the world's first full parallel hybrid system and applied lithium-ion polymer batteries to a hard type hybrid model for the first time in the world.

Equipped with a Nu 2.0 Hybrid engine, a 6-speed hybrid automatic transmission and a 30kW hard type hybrid electric motor, the Sonata hybrid delivers a peak output of 191ps (engine: 150ps, electric motor: 41ps) and the best fuel economy in its class at 21.0km/? (All specifications limited to the Korean market).

The Sonata Hybrid, which is based on Hyundai's best-selling mid-size sedan, differs from the gasoline model with its dynamic `hexagonal grille.' The vehicle also has an `Eco Guide Gauge' on its cluster to help drivers build more economical driving habits. The Sonata hybrid will go on a sale in the Korean market in the first half of this year.

i40, Curb, and In-Vehicle Technologies

Along with Blue2 and the Sonata hybrid, Hyundai introduced i40, a mid-size wagon exclusively developed for the European market, which made its world debut at Geneva in March. Hyundai also displayed Curb (codenamed HCD-12), a compact Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV) concept unveiled at Detroit in January. Curb, targeted at the next generation of Hyundai buyers, is also a test bed for future Hyundai in-vehicle connectivity technology.

In order to promote its advanced eco-friendly technologies, Hyundai built a ‘Blue Drive Zone' at its booth, which displays its first Full Speed Electric Vehicle (FSEV) BlueOn and its electric bicycle ECCOV. Hyundai's most advanced powertrain technology will also be on display - some for the first time - including its 6-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) and 8-speed auto transmission, as well as its 1.6 Gamma Turbo GDi, Nu 2.0 GDi and Nu 2.0 CVVL (Continuously Variable Valve Lift) engines.

The ECCOV (Eco Community Vehicle), introduced at Geneva in March, boasts a maximum speed of 30 km/h and can travel as much as 50 km on a single charge in electric mode.

A total of five new future in-vehicle technologies introduced at the 2011 CES early this year were also on display: Smart Connectivity System, which allows drivers to connect their smart phones and tablet PCs with the vehicle; Motion Sensor Moustick, which recognizes the driver's hand movements through sensors to control the car's audio and navigation system; Dynamic Cluster, an LCD gauge and information system that is driver-customizable; Car Browser System and Web Platform, a fully functional Internet terminal; and Multifunctional Safety Vision System, a four-camera, 360-degree view around the vehicle.

Commercial Vehicles

Hyundai Motor set up a separate booth for its commercial vehicles under the concept of ‘Enjoyable Sensation Truck & Bus,' displaying three new models: The New Trago 27t Dump, Mega space-cab Tractor and the 2011MY Universe.

In order to promote its future eco-friendly technology, Hyundai's commercial vehicle booth also created a ‘Green zone,' showcasing its electric bus, diesel hybrid mega truck, hydrogen fuel cell bus cutaway and a new eco-friendly power system technology.

In particular, ‘Elec-City' is a zero-emission electric bus developed in-house. A test fleet of Elec-City will be operated in some metropolitan bus routes starting this year, while Hyundai plans to mass produce the buses starting in 2013. During the G20 Seoul Summit in 2010, Elec-City was used as the official shuttle bus for organizers and officials.

Equipped with three 100kW motors, Elec-City delivers a peak output which is equivalent to a combustion engine's 402ps and maximum speed of 100km/h. It can run 120 km on a single charge.

Hyundai also displayed two new commercial vehicle technologies: The Commercial Vehicle Telematics System, which collects real-time data from the vehicle to enable more efficient freight transportation management; and the 3.5t AMT system, which allows drivers to enjoy the convenience of an automatic transmission, with the fuel efficiency and power of a manual transmission.

New Thinking for Customers

Hyundai's new thinking could be seen in its booth layout and services, as well. By reversing the conventional thinking that motor shows are for cars, Hyundai brought a new concept that motor shows are for ‘visitors,' which means everything should be designed to maximize their enjoyable experience.

Hyundai's new booth enables visitors to comfortably view the cars, while the entire space on the second floor of the booth is used as a lounge where customers can relax and get a view of the whole booth. Hyundai is also providing FCEV shuttle bus services to and from the parking lot to the exhibition hall. Staff members at the booth will provide product information using tablet PCs.

As part of its efforts to evolve from simply an auto manufacturer that provides transportation to an automaker that creates an auto culture, Hyundai presented its virtual-driving Veloster game machine, as well as a 4D theater showing ‘Robocar POLI,' a 3D animation for children presented by Hyundai Motor, Roi Visual and EBS.

Chevrolet Miray Concept Unveiled In Korea

The GM Korea births revealed the Chevrolet Miray (pronounced Mi-ray) concept at the latest 2011 Seoul Motor demo – a mid-electric hybrid-powered boasts example.

The concept's powertrain consists of two front-mounted electric motors, each producing 15 kW (20 bhp / 20 PS) of power for the front axle, coupled with a 1.5 liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit mounted mid-rear which drives the back wheels. Current for the electric motors comes from a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is recharged through regenerative braking.

Styling elements include a new interpretation of the Chevy dual-port grille, scissor doors, LED headlamps, and what the designers call Corvette front and rear fenders. Jet aircraft are also cited as inspirations. Aluminum wheels are 21 inches in diameter at the rear, 20 inches in front.

The Miray is capable of running on electric power alone and the petrol engine kicks in with his gearbox with double clutch change faster when extra power is needed. Chevrolet did not provide performance numbers, or range for the concept.

CSR Volkswagen Scirocco

CSR Automotive, a German aftermarket specialists, releases their Volkswagen Scirocco upgrade program. The car comes with a turbocharged engine and a custom body kit that includes a single frame grille, new side sills, a rear apron styled by O-Line-Design, upper and lower rear wings, headlight trims and a stainless steel dual tailpipe exhaust system.

The CSR Volkswagen Scirocco comes with a partial, carbon-look foil, and packed the striking new alloys Schmidt Revolution, which measure 20 inches size, Toyo tires (235/30 ZR20 285/25 ZR20 front and rear) and € 3400 .




Press Release

SUCCESSFUL RESUSCITATION by CSR Automotive

After several years of hesitation, VW - not least because of pressure from the customers - has won through to reanimation of its warm Mediterranean wind Scirocco. Good news, because many professional tuners have in the meantime put into action their version of a still further perfected Scirocco. Thus, the company CSR Automotive from Nurnberg is in a good company, but it presents a stunning version of the Mediterranean wind that has no parallels.

Originally from the 2009, Scirocco III was equipped with a turbocharged engine with an in-house body kit consisting of a single-frame front grille, side skirts and a rear apron from the O-Line-Design, the upper and lower rear wings, "bad-look" headlight trims and a stainless steel rear silencer with suitable outlets.

The obvious effect is also provided by a partial foil design in carbon-look.

The alpha and omega of any redevelopment continues to be a successful tire / wheel combination that can never be spectacular enough. And now - once again - Schmidt Revolution (www.FELGE.de) from Bad Segeberg comes into play. Thanks to its rims Cirrus with carbon-look parts (wheel assembly costs 3400 euro) in the dimensions of 8.5x20" with 235/30 ZR20 tires from Toyo at the front or 10.5x20" with 285/25 ZR20 - at the rear axles, Schmidt comes near to the ideal of "perfect footwear" for the Scirocco.

There is only the pious hope to sit in the sports chair and go on. That is quite feasible ...

Heico Sportiv Volvo XC90

Heico new kit for the XC90 is purely aesthetic at the moment but in the near future they could be a power / performance upgrade. Heico’s bodykit for the Volvo XC90 has a new front bumper replaced with a stainless steel stays, the mass of central and lateral parts produced. The Heico Volvo XC90 also comes with new side sills, in the workshops and a new rear apron with integrated parking sensors.

According to Heico Sportiv's CEO Holger Hedtke, "Our new bodykit intends to give dealerships an attractive opportunity to offer additional buying incentives. Around the globe, the Volvo XC90 has an unwavering fan club that will certainly applaud the modern, self-assured design from Heico Sportiv.

The Heico Sportiv exterior kit can be fitted to all Volvo XC90s produced from 2007 onwards. The package will be available for purchase starting from May. Before the pack arrives, we’re inviting you to enjoy the gallery below, which also includes imaged from its development phase.




Press Release

Volvo XC90 reloaded

Due to its continued success, Volvo will be retaining the XC90 in its production program. HEICO SPORTIV is revitalizing the SUV's design and is now presenting an entirely new bodykit.

"There's life in the old dog yet!" could be the caption beneath the current Volvo XC90, considering the model has been on the market since 2003. Given the constant level of demand for this vehicle, however, Volvo has chosen to continue producing the Sweden SUV until model year 2014.


HEICO SPORTIV saw this as an advantageous opening and seized the opportunity to take an extremely novel step: the development of an entirely new bodykit. "Our new bodykit intends to give dealerships an attractive opportunity to offer additional buying incentives," explains HEICO SPORTIV CEO, Holger Hedtke, adding: "Around the globe, the Volvo XC90 has an unwavering fan club that will certainly applaud the modern, self-assured design from HEICO SPORTIV."

Complete and perfectly integrated.
The Volvo XC90 by HEICO SPORTIV has a perfectly integrated design. The six-part bodykit picks up on the current Volvo XC60's dynamic use of forms, fitting like a custom-made suit. The one-piece front skirt replaces the series-produced central and side panels and has a stainless steel stay located in front of the cooling air outlet. The side skirts are mounted on top of the original parts, with the rear skirt fully replacing the standard one. And - typical for HEICO SPORTIV - the rear skirt accommodates the four-pipe exhaust system with oval chrome end tips which can be extended optionally with a stainless steel inlay.

All plastic parts are produced from high quality PUR-R-RIM and are easy to fit. The HEICO SPORTIV Bodykit will be available from May 2011 for the XC90 from model year 2007 onwards and can be delivered for all engine versions.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Brilliant Van

Mercedes releases the Maybach of all vans, the Sprinter Brilliant, developed by Richard Fertig and his company, Brilliant Transportation.

The van features four well upholstered and elaborate leather couches, two 32-inch flat screen TV's with DirecTV signals and a eight-speaker music system, both of which you can enjoy using wireless headphones. The Brilliant Van also features WiFi for internet surfing, a color printer and hands-free telephone system. You can rent out the van for a ride between New York and Los Angeles, for now.

As it’s the case with such cars, there’s loads of equipments stuffed in there including some high-end up to the minute multimedia features. The Brilliant Sprinter gets a premium eight-speaker audio system, two 32-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite-based Direct TV and wireless headphones, as well as 3G Wi-Fi capability, color printers and a hands-free conference call system.




Press Release

Sprinter Provides Sumptuous Den, Office and No Interruptions

Only 13 months ago, Richard Fertig started Brilliant Transportation (http://www.go-brilliant.com) with a small fleet of specially-equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, and now the fast-growing company operates chauffeur-driven Sprinter-based Brilliant Vans and Mini Buses up and down the East Coast as well as in the Los Angeles area. Fertig says a large part of Brilliant's success is due to the unusual design of their Sprinter van interiors, which feature a clean aesthetic with neutral colors and include rich hardwood floors, oversize leather seats, refrigerators, stowaway desks and built-in cabinets.

The tastefully integrated technology in the Brilliant Van includes a premium eight-speaker audio system, two 32-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite-based Direct TV and wireless headphones. In particular, business travelers appreciate its 3G Wi-Fi capability, color printers and a hands-free conference call system.

Fertig, Brilliant's Founder and President, says, "Our versatile Sprinter vans appeal to corporate management, entertainers and well-to-do families who want to reclaim that dead in-transit time and who appreciate the size, height and overall comfort of a large van. Most NBA basketball players can stand up inside with room to spare. Additionally, our drivers are impressed with the Sprinter's quality, reliability and especially the fuel economy of its proven clean-diesel power. Getting 20 miles per gallon in a vehicle of this size is phenomenal, which gives us a range of about 400 miles – our clients usually need to stop before we do."

Addressing the "Are We There Yet?" Syndrome
Whether it's helping with childrens' homework, working out a complex business deal or eating a meal together, families and corporate travelers alike appreciate the comfort, convenience and productivity of Brilliant's Sprinter vans. They welcome the privacy and lack of interruption that's increasingly rare in today's hectic work and family life.

Fertig says, "We're introducing a new mode of travel we call Private Motoring¨ that often replaces air and rail transport. Although a number of our clients didn't realize at first that Mercedes-Benz makes large vans, they know and love Mercedes, which makes our chauffeur-driven Brilliant Vans a natural extension of the way they choose to travel. Our New York-based Sprinters offer a distinct environment for business trips to Boston and DC, social events in Manhattan such as Lincoln Center or family weekends to the Hamptons and the Vermont ski country. With a similar range of use, our just-opened L.A. operation makes frequent trips to Las Vegas, Santa Barbara and San Diego."

It's Brilliant for the Bottom Line

Clients ask specifically for the Mercedes-Benz vans, and the comfort, convenience and privacy of Brilliant Vans has helped produce 100 percent repeat business. In addition, the impressive fuel economy and reliability of their Sprinters mean relatively low operating costs for Brilliant Transportation. In response to client requests for short, around-town transportation, Fertig added Brilliant Mini Buses based-on the 11-passenger Sprinter Passenger van. The company operates five Brilliant Vans and two Mini Buses based in New York City, with three Brilliant Vans and one Mini Bus in L.A.

Performers on tour, athletes and even royalty enjoy Brilliant's Sprinter vans. Recently the entire board of directors for one of the top 50 global corporations spent four days together, touring their regional network of sales offices and warehouses utilizing Brilliant's entire fleet of Brilliant Vans and holding a series of mobile meetings en route.

Video of Sonakshi Sinha at the Debut of Her Clothing Line in 2007

Sonakshi Sinha was a fashion designer before she joined movies and made her debut with Dabangg. Here's an old video of Sonakshi at a fashion show for the debut of her cothing line in 2007.




Click Here For More on Kids of Bollywood Stars >>

Audi A5 by Project Kahn

Project Kahn release their new project of 2011 Audi A5 Coupe Sport that equipped with side blades resembling the Audi R8 design, the styling package includes a front and rear bumper unit with side blades, rear boot spoiler and a stainless steel sports quad exhaust system. The suspension is lowered with 35mm and huge 21” RSL alloy wheels are added.

Starting from the interior, aluminum pedals are available alongside Nappa leather on the seats and stainless steel trim. At the exterior, the British specialists carried out quite a lot tweaks such as new 21-inch RSL alloy wheels, a quad-pipe exhaust system and a spoiler present in the rear, on the trunk.

In addition, a lowered suspension (35mm), pearl silver door mirrors, pearl front and rear diffuser, red dials in matt finish, pearl silver door mirrors, stainless steel kick plates and billet aluminum pedals – demonstrates improved interaction, precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole with a sense of power, performance and style.




Press Release

Project Kahn Announces The New Audi A5 Coupe Sport

Bradford/England - Project Kahn's discerning customers have often pushed Afzal Kahn to produce an Audi which is not only optically different but sportier with a more intense driving experience!

And the result of Afzal Kahn's dalliance with the new 07/57 3.0 Audi A5 sport offers a whole new breadth of excitement, taking the Audi A5 to a whole new dimension.

Afzal Kahn's philosophy was always to combine mechanical perfection and exterior beauty, and the Project Kahn pearl white Audi A5 is wholly unmistakable, with every external modification serving to coax greater performance from the car.

The A5's smooth, extended contour is immediately recognizable with an outstanding styling package consisting of a front and rear bumper unit with side blades, rear boot spoiler and a stainless steel sports quad exhaust system.

Inside is the "bespoke touch" with a complete quilted leather interior in perforated nappa. In addition, a lowered suspension (35mm), pearl silver door mirrors, pearl front and rear diffuser, red dials in matt finish, pearl silver door mirrors, stainless steel kick plates and billet aluminum pedals - demonstrates improved interaction, precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole with a sense of power, performance and style.

Evolved through skilled artistic innovation and state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology- our 21-inch RSL lightweight wheels with black and red stripes - exemplify what A. Kahn Design is all about: elegance and skilled artistic innovation.

Project Kahn has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models. As one of the UK's leading design houses, we recognise the importance of staying true to the original design themes of cutting edge luxury vehicles, while evolving them to achieve a new and dynamic appearance.
A complete Project Kahn Audi A5 Coupe Sport will cost £31,875.00.

2011 Mazda MX-5 GT Race Car

This is the new Mazda MX-5 GT, the fastest, lightest Mazda-produced MX-5 ever. Unfortunately, it's also the company's new entry for this year's Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, so you won't be seeing it on the road anytime soon.

Designed to compete in this year’s Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, the standard MX-5 has been completely reworked to FIA specifications. It features a modified version of Mazda’s 2.0-litre in-line four, developing 275bhp - up 117bhp on the road going version - and mated to a six-speed sequential paddle shift ’box.

The car is also fitted with FIA-spec gear such as roll cage, racing seats with harness, external electric cut-off and fire extinguisher, competition alloy wheels and steering wheel, and safety latches for the bonnet and boot lid.

Under the bonnet is seriously tuned and tweaked 2.0-litre engine. Rather than 158bhp the four-cylinder engine now produces 275bhp. It also sits lower in the racer, and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The Mazda MX-5 GT will compete in its first race at the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship three-hour endurance race at Silverstone, scheduled to start at 3:00pm on March 26.




Press Release

MAZDA MX-5 GT BREAKS COVER

• Mazda MX-5 GT entry into Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011
• Lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT race car to challenge conventional thinking
• Mazda MX-5 GT remains true to its roots but with more power and performance

Mazda is set to challenge Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus, and BMW on the race track with its lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT entry in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011.

Weighing in at just 850kg, the Mazda MX-5 GT race car will accelerate from 0-to-60mph in just three seconds and hit a top speed of 160mph. The build of the car has been an engineering challenge to get the weight as low as possible using Mazda's gram strategy as the inspiration. Jota Sport examined every nut and bolt to reduce component weight and then match the power to the weight to give the lightest and most powerful MX-5 ever built.

An important aspect of the build was to ensure the Mazda MX-5 still remains true to its roots: great handling, huge fun-to-drive and the ability to challenge bigger more powerful competition, but at an affordable cost. The Mazda GT car ticks all those boxes and is now set to demonstrate its challenger spirit on the track.

Jota Sport, the race engineering team that will run the cars in the 2011 series, took 400 hours to build the shell to a specification that ensured it was 17 times stronger than required by the FIA. During the development they faced a number of engineering challenges such as suspension adjustments, integrating the six speed sequential gearbox, and lowering the engine. Weight saving strategies such as, the removal of interior components, reducing component weight and dipping the shell in acid lost 15kg from the MX-5 race car.

The completed MX-5 GT features a modified Mazda engine to produce 275bhp, a six speed sequential paddle shift gearbox, carbon doors and Polycarbonate windows. On the exterior, the Mazda MX-5 GT boasts a Spirited Green metallic body colour - a first on the MX-5 for Mazda UK - complimented by Jota Sport corporate coloured liveries in orange and grey.

Mazda is renowned for challenging conventions so the motivation to develop a MX-5 GT car comes naturally. It also comes at a time when Mazda has recently celebrated a number of milestones for MX-5 including its 21st anniversary and producing 900,000 MX-5 units globally since its introduction in 1989, with over 10 percent of global MX-5 sales from Britain. Meanwhile, the Mazda MX-5 continues to hold the Guinness World Record as the world's best?selling roadster - testament to its continued popularity with British open top sports car fans.

The Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship is contested over nine races from March to November including a race at the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The first race is a three hour endurance race at Silverstone next weekend, Saturday 26 March 2011, starting at 3.00pm.

This is the fourth time that Mazda has entered Britcar and this year the Mazda MX-5 GT car will be driven by two Mazda works drivers including experienced Mazda racing driver Mark Ticehurst, 39 from Hassocks, West Sussex and Auto Express journalist and racing driver Owen Mildenhall.

"The MX-5 production race car's modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars. With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class," comments Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.

The Mazda MX-5 GT car, prepared by Tunbridge Wells-based Jota Sport features the mandatory FIA approved safety equipment including a roll cage, race seats and harness, external electric cut-off and fire extinguisher, safety catches on the bonnet and boot lids, competition steering wheel and alloy wheels, while the running gear, rear axle, gearbox and engine have been modified to enhance performance.

Chevrolet Colorado concept debut at the Bangkok

Chevrolet has releases first details and photos for Colorado concept, which will debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show.

The redesigned Colorado will be larger than the current version, which is a compact. Combined, mid-sized and compact pickups accounted for 16.5 percent of the total U.S. pickup market last year, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

The concept Colorado features a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, 20-inch wheels and all-wheel drive. Don't expect the diesel here in the U.S.--a range of gasoline engines is far more likely.

The interior gets a Chevy-heritage dual-cockpit design. The instrument panel includes a seven-inch LCD screen for controlling audio, navigation and hands-free phone functions.

The new Chevy Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year, so the concept is right-hand drive. But the development program is for a global vehicle, so we're likely to see many elements from the Thailand truck show up on the U.S. version of the Colorado and its GMC counterpart, the Canyon.




Press Release

Chevrolet Unveils Colorado Show Truck

Boldly styled show truck previews next-generation midsize pickup

BANGKOK, Thailand - Chevrolet today revealed the Colorado Show Truck in advance of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept previews the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck, which will build on Chevrolet's strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage. The Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year.

"Thailand is the world's-largest market for midsize pickups, so this was the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado," said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. "Trucks have been part of Chevrolet's core for nearly all of its 100-year history. The Colorado reinforces that heritage with expressive design, refinement and uncompromising capability."

The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-stance AWD chassis and rides on large, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Power comes from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability.

"Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market," said Brad Merkel, GM's global vehicle line executive. "It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs."

While the new Colorado was developed within GM's global product development organization, engineers took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs. Roberto Rempel, GM's global vehicle chief engineer, lived in Thailand for several months during the truck's development, immersing himself in the market and observing how the Thai people use their trucks and the road conditions they experience.

"Pickups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving," he said. "These customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust - and that's exactly what we've delivered."

Design details

The Colorado show truck's purposeful design conveys strength through bodywork that appears tightly wrapped over the chassis and a wide, confident stance. In the front, Chevrolet's internationally recognized gold bowtie and dual-port grille are framed by large headlamps that flow into the front fenders, and an extractor vent on the hood.

"Around the globe, pickup trucks are associated with strength, capability and function - and that's exactly what the Colorado show truck embodies," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design. "Its broad-shouldered proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck heritage."

Pepperdust Metallic exterior paint is accented with polished aluminum details in the fascias, as well as integrated side steps and black-masked projector-style headlamps with LED lighting elements. At the rear is a full-width LED-lit taillamp, which creates a striking appearance when illuminated.

Additional exterior details include:

A streamlined "cab collar" design with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed
Gray accents on the side, front and rear lower moldings
20-inch aluminum wheels featuring a "liquid metal" finish, with Stone Gray color wheel ports
Cooper 285/50R20 ZEON LTZ tires
Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators.
Inside, there's another signature Chevrolet cue: a dual-cockpit instrument panel design. It flows into the doors, with continuous lines that create a floating, wraparound effect, amplifying the Colorado's feeling of spaciousness. Ice-blue lighting and high-quality, "double-faced" leather-trimmed seats add sophistication and refinement.

"The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling of spaciousness than is typically found in midsize trucks," said Welburn. "There's also great attention to detail in the execution of the features you see and feel."

A brace of motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges stand out on the instrument panel, projecting a sporty appearance.

Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for concealment of valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.

Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in "infotainment" technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in the center stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free phone features.

More details about the production model will be released later in the year.