Billed as a luxury 4-door performance sedan, the 2007 Cadillac STS delivers outstanding power and sophistication in a distinctly American package. The STS offers the 254 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, or the 320 horsepower 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 engine. Both engines feature variable valve timing (VVT), and are available in rear-and all-wheel drive configurations. New for 2007, the Hydra-Matic 6-speed transmission first introduced on the acclaimed STS-V in 2006, is now standard on AWD and RWD V-8-equipped ’07 models. Coupled to the V-6 is a 5-speed automatic tranny. STS models seat 5-adults in comfort and the trunk can carry 13.8 cubic feet of cargo. For more intense performance, the ‘07 STS-V is fitted with the hand assembled, 469 horsepower, 4.4-liter Supercharged Northstar V-8 paired with the 6-speed automatic transmission. This combination enables 0-to-60 (mph) acceleration in less than 5-seconds.

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Cadillac’s midsize SRX luxury crossover vehicle enters the 2007 model year with a redesigned cockpit that features a new instrument panel, hand-wrapped trim, console, wood accents and steering wheel. There’s even an automatic odor filtration option. SRX seats up to 7-passengers with the optional 3rd-row seat, and can haul 69.5 cu ft of cargo with the seatbacks folded. Overhead, the optional “UltraView” sunroof system extends to provide 5.6 square feet of open air for the 1st- and 2nd-row seats. The SRX has two engine combinations with VVT (variable valve timing): the 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 pumping out 320 horses, or the 260 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. In addition, two fully electronic automatic transmissions are offered, a 6-speed tranny for the V-8, and a Hydra-Matic 5-speed on the V-6. Cadillac bloodline shows through the SRX, with it’s chiseled vertical head and taillights, plus the V-shaped grille.

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The stunning 2007 Audi S8 has the heart of a V-10 with FSI direct-injection technology adopted from the world of motor racing. Under the long hood of this premium large sedan is a 5.2-liter engine that pumps-out 450 horses, produces 398 lb-ft of torque at low end, and comes linked to a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. With Audi’s latest generation Quattro permanent 4-wheel drivetrain, the athletic S8 luxury 4-door sedan shoots from 0-to-60 mph in 4.9-seconds. At all 4-corners are 20-inch wheels. Handsome cabin seats 5-adults, features bi-color seats with seams in a contrasting color, and the trunk can hold 14.6 cubic feet of cargo.

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 Honda’s EFI outboard engines have ranked ‘Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Four-Stroke Outboard Engines’ in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Marine Engine Competitive Information Study.

This is the third consecutive year Honda has received the four-stroke EFI outboard award.

Honda Marine manager Tim Davies said Honda engines scored 939 out of a possible 1000 points – the highest total since the award’s inception...more click on heading

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Bowers & Wilkins, the British loudspeaker company with an unsurpassed reputation for innovation and performance, announces its first production premium sound system in Jaguar’s XKR Portfolio launched at the Geneva Salon de l’Automobile (auto show). The system is the result of a rigorous audio development programme reflecting a commitment to deliver authentic sound reproduction to the car environment. The system utilizes many of the same design and development techniques that Bowers & Wilkins has perfected in its home and recording studio products to help solve the challenges of recreating great sound in the car.

Until now, the only way for audio enthusiasts to experience the transparency and clarity of a Bowers & Wilkins sound system was through the company’s line of home loudspeakers. Starting with the XKR Portfolio, Jaguar customers will be able to enjoy Bowers & Wilkins premium sound in their cars. The process to deliver the level of sound reproduction proves equally as impressive as the end result...more click on heading

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The 2007 Rainier is Buick’s midsize SUV, with additional features over last year’s model. Standard for '07 is OnStar’s Direction & Connections package with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, and one-year free subscription. A Vortec 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder with variable valve timing is stock engine, producing 291 horsepower, and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. If more power is needed, the optional Vortec 5.3-liter V-8 is available on either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models, and delivers 300 horses, and 330 lb.-ft torque. Both engines are coupled to the rugged Hydra-Matic 4 speed transmission. Depending on choice of engine and other drivetrain components, Rainier’s maximum towing capacity ranges from 6,100 to 6,700 pounds. Luxurious cabin seats 5-adults, with the front buckets and rear-seating areas draped in perforated leather. When more cargo capacity is needed, the split rear seats can be folded forward to open up to 80.1 cubic feet of carrying space. Rainier is Buick’s first full-frame sport utility vehicle and comes with GM’s innovative StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, combined with traction control.

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Infiniti G Sedan is the 2nd generation version of Infiniti’s sophisticated 4-door sport machine. There are five all-new models in the sedan lineup: G35, G35 Journey, G35x AWD, G35 Sport and G35 Sport 6MT. Built on an enhanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform, the heart of the G35 is the 300 plus horsepower, 3.5-liter DOHC V-6, linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Steering wheel-mounted solid magnesium paddle shifters are standard on the G35 Sport model. Available advanced technologies include Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, 4-Wheel Active Steer, RearView Monitor, and a touch screen navigation system with available real-time traffic. Audiophiles will appreciate the Studio on Wheels by Bose, combining the industry’s first 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with a quality head unit incorporating a 24-bit Burr Brown Digital Audio Converter.

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Jaguar showed off its mildly redesigned 2008 XJ on Thursday in advance of the Geneva auto show, which starts next week. Highlights include a more "assertive and sporting" exterior with a revised front-end design that includes a new mesh grille with chrome details, new side power vents, rear aero spoiler and a new rear bumper.

The top-of-the-line XJR now comes with aluminum-finish power vents and black-painted brake calipers. Jaguar said it also added six new exterior paint colors: Emerald Fire, Pearl Grey, Crystal Blue, Botanical Green, Vapour Grey and Azure Blue. The XJ also gets new 19-inch alloy wheels, including the Carelia, a 10-spoke alloy first seen on the XK-Series.

The 2008 XJ includes heated seats as standard across the line, with optional cooled seats available. Cabin improvements include a new seat design that gives rear-seat passengers more legroom, thanks to redesigned front-seat backs. Bluetooth connectivity is standard and allows up to five phones to be paired to the in-car telephone system.

The XJ continues to offer a range of powertrains, including a 204-horsepower 2.7-liter diesel V6 and a 400-hp 4.2-liter supercharged V8. The engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

What this means to you: The XJ gets tweaked and looks a little more masculine, but not so much as to turn off sybaritic Jag purists.

 

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The name Superleggera will drive the guys to dream! Lamborghini is scheduled to unveil the new lightweight, high-performance version of the Gallardo called the Superleggera at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The term, Superleggera, refers to lightweight body construction and it has nothing to do with superb legs! This zooming splendor gets an extra 10 hp and 154 fewer pounds (for U.S. model), allowing the Italian hyper car to sprint to 60 in 3.8 seconds, 0.2 seconds less than the standard Gallardo.

The weight reduction comes from swapping out a number of components with carbon fiber bits, including the wing mirrors, door panels, engine cover and the central tunnel's covering. After the cut down, the Superleggera weighs just 3,152 pounds -- 5.5 pounds/hp.

The car's engine is the latest version of Lamborghini's well-known 4,961 cc V10. It is also equipped with robotized mechanical e-gear as standard; a sports package including shock absorbers; and special suede-covered steering wheel. The new Gallardo Superleggera can be ordered through the dealer network starting March 2007: production volumes will be restricted to lower numbers than the standard Gallardo.

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With General Motors and Toyota both having new full-size pickups in showrooms this year, Ford is understandably keen to push up the development cycle of its pivotal Ford F-150, likely due as a 2009 model.

Our boys over at KGP Photography have spotted some early mules of the next-generation model, and they believe that at least two dozen prototypes are now out in circulation. Sadly, they haven’t shown off much, primarily relying on Frankenstein’d versions of the current truck’s sheetmetal.

But KGP has now spotted this heavily masked prototype, which hints at the F-150 adopting a variant of Ford’s corporate 3-bar grille. It’s hard to tell what the extent of the rest of the changes are from this mule, but we’d expect to see a complete update, with new headlamps, grille, and bumper.

Interestingly, KGP indicates that they’ve seen both Regular and Super Cab mules, as well as a “non-extended cab configuration” that doesn’t readily represent anything in the current truck’s order book. Further, they’ve also spotted a standard cab, long-bed F-Series with seven-lug wheels (versus the six-lug design spotted on all other mules they’ve seen). KGP speculates that this could mean that Ford is preparing an F-Series that slots between the F-150 and its Super Duty trucks. We’ll withhold judgment, at least for the time being, as it could simply be an SD drivetrain mule under F-150 sheetmetal, or some such oddity.

 

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With the 2007 Geneva Motor Show looming large on the horizon we thought it might be instructive to look back at a concept from 39 years ago, crafted by Giovanni Michelotti and built on a DAF 55 chassis. It's the Siluro, named after a self-propelled underwater munition and held onto by Michelotti until his 1980 death. It languished for years in his son's garden, a rotting monument to the awesomeness of rubber-band drive combined with fine Italian styling. Thankfully, the heads at the DAF Museum tracked it down and the car underwent a painstaking rehabilitation. Yay Michelotti! Yay DAF! – Davey G. Johnson

 

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Toyota Australia has revealed its new Corolla rally car at the Melbourne International Motor Show. The striking new race car will be the world's first new model Corolla homologated to the FIA's Super 2000 (S2000) specifications. The S2000 category was developed by the FIA to allow manufacturers to build relatively inexpensive rally cars using a common, controlled formula.

To view a full range of photos from today's launch click onto rally.com.au's photo gallery. Or to view an exclusive video of Toyota testing their new S2000 spec Corolla, view the video below (requires Flash plugin).

S2000's introduction will see the end of Toyota's Group N Prototype Corolla rally car - the vehicle that delivered the manufacturer first and second in the 2006 NEC Australian Rally Championship, as well as the manufacturers' championship.

The common elements to S2000 include engines, gearboxes and weight restrictions. The TRD team is developing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated 3SGE engine for the new car, providing approximately 190kW of power and 240Nm of torque, the engine revs to a high limit of 8500rpm.... more click on heading

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