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DETROIT – Less than a year after the H3 went on sale, HUMMER is unveiling a new model called the H3x. It is based on the H3 Street concept shown at the automotive industry’s annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.

The 2007 H3x, designed to appeal to buyers with an interest in a customized appearance, injects new energy into the HUMMER lineup, while delivering the brand’s trademark iconic bold design and unmatched off-road prowess.

“The H3x enables buyers to enjoy the appearance of a personalized, accessorized truck available directly from the factory,” said Susan Docherty, HUMMER general manager. “It’s intended for those who want to make a personal style statement and differentiate themselves from other H3 owners.”

The H3x begins with an H3 equipped with the Luxury package, chrome tube steps, chrome appearance package and chrome fuel door. The package also includes a body-color grille and spare tire cover, unique tires, wheels and center cap, and a brush guard. The interior features embroidered headrests.

Consumers can further personalize their H3x with any of the H3’s eight exterior colors and three leather interiors. The model is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in late summer of 2006. It will be available only in the United States and Canada

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NISSAN URGE

Set to make its world debut in early January 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the dynamic Nissan URGE concept. A pure, powerful sports car with motorcycle-inspired styling, the rear-wheel drive URGE features a quick, high-revving, small-displacement engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, brushed aluminum-alloy wheels, color-infused aluminum body panels and a driver-oriented cockpit with an integrated Xbox 360 gaming system. It was created by Nissan Design America, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.

It seems fitting that one of the key sources of inspiration for the dramatic new Nissan URGE concept, a spare, technology-heavy, performance-oriented sports car design exercise, would be found online – in the results of an Internet survey of approximately 2,000 young car and gaming enthusiasts. Asked what they would ideally want in a car, the top responses were “performance” and “technology.”
“Not surprisingly, most of the young, primarily male, respondents to our survey said that they want a small, fun-to-drive sports car that can incorporate the technology products that they use on a daily basis, such as cell phones, mp3 players and game consoles,” said Bruce Campbell, vice president, design, Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), La Jolla, Calif. “We also learned that these young adults are highly social – they’re looking for vehicles with the flexibility to take along a couple of friends. They also don’t want a car to dominate their social lives or budgets, so affordability is a definite issue.”

Complete Press Release In-Depth After The Jump

Continue reading Nissan Urge Set To Make Debut at 2006 NAIAS ( Detroit Auto Show )

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Stuttgart, Dec 28, 2005
Exclusivity and dynamism in a wholly new dimension: the new Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG in a nutshell. The compelling top-of-the-line model of the brand new S-Class delivers 450 kW/612 hp and reaches peak torque of 1000 Nm – more than any other vehicle in this segment. The use of the new, innovative AMG high-performance composite brakes with twin sliding callipers at the front further illustrates the unique technological prowess of the powerful AMG Saloon. The standard specification of the new S 65 AMG includes a new AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control, the unmistakable AMG bodystyling, multi-piece 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, DIRECT SELECT gearshift with AMG steering-wheel gearshift paddles as well as the new AMG main menu with RACETIMER. The powerful AMG Saloon stands self-confidently ahead of the competition, testimony to the outstanding role of Mercedes-AMG GmbH in developing extraordinary vehicles and powerful drive systems.

The new Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG is celebrating its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 8, 2006. Its ultra-powerful AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine delivers performance that many sports car drivers can only dream about: it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in just 13.3 seconds (provisional figures). The top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

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Continue reading The Mercedes-Benz S65 – Worlds Most Powerful Production Sedan – World Premier at 2006 NAIAS

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Toyota advances both the art and science of the off-road vehicle while recalling its own off-road heritage with the introduction of the 2007 FJ Cruiser sport-utility vehicle (SUV), available in March 2006.

The FJ Cruiser offers a youthful, contemporary spirit and employs the same state-of-the-art comfort, power, economy, safety, emissions and convenience technology available in other Toyota vehicles. As it does so, it provides optimized off-road capabilities, value and styling clues reminiscent of Toyota’s famed FJ40 4×4 utility vehicle, sold in the U.S. from 1960 to 1983. The FJ40, which during its production life served around the world as the safari and expedition vehicle of choice, remains a desirable and collectable off-road vehicle.

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“The FJ Cruiser effectively fills a gap in the Toyota lineup that was once our core heritage – capable, affordable and durable vehicles that are youthful, fun to drive, aggressive and tough,” said Jim Lentz, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “The FJ Cruiser will deliver true off-road ruggedness, image and performance at an affordable price, making it highly accessible and desirable to a large volume of young buyers.”

Continue reading 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser: The Result of Art, Technology and Heritage

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It appears that someone at Volvo Media’s web team made a slight mistake. Someone tipped us off that there was a Volvo C30 shot on the Spanish section of the Volvo PR website. To my surprise, there was a link to a press release about the new C30 Design Concept dated January 4th, and accompanied by a photo. I checked the U.S. site, and sure enough, nothing. Oops..someone is in trouble. So, here is the first real photo of the Volvo C30 Design Concept, that someone stumbled onto by accident.

The C30 Design Concept make its debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) in 2 weeks, followed by a production model debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, held in September. The C30 is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. during the summer of 2007.

Since there was no note of an embargo, we decided to run the photo and press release.

Full press release text after the jump.

Continue reading First Photo of the Volvo C30 Design Concept

Source: Mazda Motors Press Release

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To mark the Roadster, known as MX-5 in overseas markets, winning the 2005-2006 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) Award, Mazda Motor Corporation will launch a special edition Roadster, called the ‘Japan Car of the Year Award Commemorative Edition.’ This new model goes on sale in mid-January 2006 at Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan. The special edition Roadster features the unique interior and exterior color combinations, in addition to leather bucket seats with a special color, the attractive cloth soft top, and BOSE® sound system–all added as standard equipment. This new special equipment brings out a feeling of higher quality in the world’s best-selling lightweight open two-seater sport car from drivers and admirers alike.

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Continue reading Mazda Releases ‘Japan Car of the Year Award Commemorative Edition’ MX-5 Roadster in Japan

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Audi UK has released 3 additional images of the new Audi Q7 S-Line, which made its debut at the 2005 Essen Motor Show. The equipment package “S line sports package plus” further emphasises the sporty characteristics of the Audi Q7. The Q7 S-Line package includes a true sports suspension, sports seats and 21-inch cast aluminium wheels that take after the muscular RS4’s wheels. The “S line exterior package” additionally provides visual accents. There is no word yet on whether or not this package will make it North America, but I certainly hope it does. The S-Line kit really transforms the already good looking Q7 into a great looking SUV.

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The first version of Abt Sportsline’s VW Golf GTI was a car for real guys and caused a stir among car enthusiasts. Now the Bavarians are going one step further and are presenting the Abt Sportsline GTI VS4-R with 270 HP.

The most powerful GTI from Kempten is a true sports car following the original’s tradition. This is also communicated by the abbreviation »R« that stands for Racing. So therefore it does not come as a surprise that the optical features of the latest GTI model of the Volkswagen specialists express pure motor sport feeling. The aerodynamic kit of the Bavarians tuners comprises a vigorous front spoiler lip, a weight-optimized carbon lip, broad side skirts, a low rear skirt and a marked rear spoiler. The rear muffler with four chrome end pipes does not only highlight the rear but also gives the GTI VS4-R an exciting motor sport sound.

Continue reading The Abt GTI VS4-R — The Race GTI

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At the beginning of December 2005 DaimlerChrysler is presenting the new Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 500 Black Edition, which has been additionally upgraded by Brabus the tuning company, at the Dubai Motor Show. The new Unimog U 500 Black Edition is tailored to meet the wishes of customers in the Gulf region: outstanding off-road capabilities combined with refined elegance both inside and out. The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 500 Black Edition aims to make the concept of an outstanding all-terrain capability and solidity accessible to a discerning private target group, creating an interesting and spectacular addition and alternative in the off-roader market.

Continue reading The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 500 Black Edition by Brabus

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With the new GEMBALLA GTR 650 Avalanche, based on the Porsche 997 Carrera, the Leonberg, Germany Porsche conversion specialist GEMBALLA has created THE absolute dream car for the 2006 sports car year, optionally on 19” or 20” wheels. This ultimate German sports car will be available to a selected clientele starting next year. With this refined, ultra-sporty and equally reliable automobile, GEMBALLA is continuing in its very own great tradition of sports car construction. The GEMBALLA Avalanche, Mirage and Cyrrus models from the 80’s didn’t earn their legendary reputation for no reason.

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Continue reading The Gemballa GTR 650 Avalanche