Opel Ampera 2010

Opel has announced Ampera as the name of its revolutionary extended-range electric car. The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15).

“With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving,” said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

GM’s ground-breaking electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems. For short trips up to 60 km, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Additional information on the Opel Ampera will be released March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package 2012

The LFA Nurburgring Package is limited to only 50 units out of the 500 LFA will have the following features: A sport-tuned suspension, exclusive black mesh-type wheels and dedicated high-grip tires for better handling, and a larger front spoiler and fixed rear wing for improved high speed down force.

Steinmetz Opel Insignia Sports Tourer2009

The Steinmetz Opel Insignia Sports Tourer sports package includes a new front grille and spoiler that comply with pedestrian protection regulations, a roof spoiler and new tailpipe trims. The Insignia SportsTourer by Steinmetz sits on 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/35/R20 tires and features a lowering kit that takes the ride height down by 25 mm. The Steinmetz Opel Insignia Sports Tourer also comes with new tail pipes and a two-piece roof spoiler.

Steinmetz Opel Astra 2010

The Steinmetz lowering has been matched to the FlexRide System and the Watt linkage fitted to the rear axle. The Steinmetz lowering by 30 mm has been specially developed for city traffic, but is also ideal for a quick blast around the North Loop of the Nurburgring.

The Steinmetz Opel Astra body kit includes a new front spoiler, a totally black front grille and a roof spoiler. Other exterior styling accents offered by the Steinmetz Opel Astra program include designer strips and stainless steel door handle plates.

Both alloy wheels run on tires size 235/35/R19 without any adaptation to the wheelarches on the Astra J by Steinmetz.. For the interior, finished to a high standard by Opel, Steinmetz has developed a gear display which shows the driver – in his color of choice – the gear currently selected. Foot mats with a stainless steel logo, and sill trims of polished stainless steel, complete the Steinmetz product range for the Astra J.

Honda Odyssey 2011 Vehicle Overview

The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey looks poised to pick up from where its class-leading predecessor left off. The Honda Odyssey is completely redesigned for 2011.

The minivan isn't as popular as it once was, but it remains the quintessential form of transportation for families big and small. No other vehicle offers the type of versatility and space for kids and the copious amount of stuff that invariably comes along with them. The 2011 Honda Odyssey is a completely redesigned entry among this dwindling number of minivans, replacing a model that was widely considered to be the best in its class for a decade. In other words, it has some very big shoes to fill.

The 2011 Odyssey is an inch-plus shorter in height than before, but has gained an inch-plus in width, creating a slightly sleeker appearance aided by a wedge-shaped front fascia and unique "lightning-bolt" character line. Aside from being a design flourish, this character line also improves visibility for passengers in the third row of seats, who will also enjoy a greater amount of knee and shoulder room. Honda says three adults can sit back there, but we're thinking the middle spot's fold-down armrest will be utilized more frequently.

Minivans are renowned for setting themselves apart with never-before-seen features. Some, like the Odyssey's flip-and-fold third-row seat became an industry standard, while others, like the last Odyssey's middle-row Lazy Susan storage bin have been quickly forgotten. This time around, the Odyssey introduces a small refrigerated storage compartment beneath the center stack controls, a trash bag holder, second-row seats that shift laterally to make room for child seats and a wide-screen entertainment system with an HDMI input. The new Odyssey also improves upon previously introduced features, like a simplified process for lowering the third-row seat and an enlarged second-row removable middle seat.

Honda has not yet released full details about the 2011 Odyssey's powertrain, but we do know it will continue to only be available with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V6. Honda's cylinder deactivation system is now standard on every Odyssey and fuel economy is estimated to be 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. This is a significant improvement versus the last Odyssey (especially those trims without cylinder deactivation) and better than the new Toyota Sienna's four- and six-cylinder engines.

More details about the 2011 Honda Odyssey will be coming soon, including available trims and equipment, as well as exact dimensions and specifications. Check back for a full review of how this new Odyssey stacks up against its minivan competitors before it hits dealerships in the fall.

Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Black Saphir INDEN-Design 2010

The INDEN-Design Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Black Saphir body kit has a value of 19.900 euro for additional 3,500 euros you can get a hood, for 800 euros the tail diffuser in carbon and for 999 euros a front Flap of PE in addition. The assembly of the body parts and the various adjustment work is separately calculated with 8,000 euros and the lacquer finish inclusive putty work with 7,500 euros.

A further important contribution to the exclusive optics and performance makes the multipart Black Saphire light alloy wheels (13,200 euros inclusive sport tires) in 20 inch. These were installed in the quantity 11×20 inch and 13×20 inch with 275/30 R20 and 325/25 R20 high speed tire of Dunlop.

The full package is completed with a back driving camera (900 euros), day driving lights (420 euros) and suitable Black Saphire high-grade steel exhaust embellishers (1,200 euros). When desired an increase in output on 560 HP and 670Nm can be accomplished with INDEN Design. As another extra INDEN Design worries also around the adornment of the interior.

Honda CR-Z 2011 Review

A sporty hybrid? At first glance, the 2011 Honda CR-Z might seem a bit oxymoronic. After all, Americans expect their hybrid cars to be purely about fuel economy, with flowers, rainbows and unicorns coming out of the tailpipe. But Honda is hoping that people are ready for a car that not only gets very good fuel economy but also happens to be fun to drive -- a hybrid without the drive-induced narcolepsy, if you will.

Hard-core enthusiasts will likely be disappointed, but somebody just looking for a sporty two-door with good fuel economy will likely be pleased with the 2011 Honda CR-Z.

Pros, Nimble size and handling, quick steering, good fuel economy, sporty looks. Cons, Poor rearward visibility, most competitors have backseats, missing a few upscale feature