Porsche has released more details and 7 high-resolution shots of the new Porsche Panamera, which include the 5 medium-res photos we saw earlier. Before you head onto the photo gallery after the jump to download the high-res photos for wallpaper use (for those who like the look of this thing of course), let’s get into the initial details of the Porsche Panamera range.

Porsche calls the Porsche Panamera a four-door grand touring sports car, which does a good job of describing what it is actually. It’s 4,970mm long, 1,931mm wide and 1,418mm tall, but no wheelbase was quoted. That slots it somewhere in between the length of an E-Class and an S-Class, but that’s probably because it does not have the additional length of the S-Class SWB’s boot. It’s also wider than the S-Class and rides much lower.

Porsche says the engine options that sit in the engine bay up-front consist of six-cylinder and eight-cylinder options with some being turbocharged, which point to a similiar line-up to the Porsche Cayenne - a 3.6 liter V6 for the baseline Panamera, a 4.8 liter V8 for a Panamera S and a twin-turbocharged 4.8 liter V8 for the Panamera Turbo. Porsche also says there will be a hybrid.

Drive will either be to the rear wheels or to all four wheels, so regular Panameras will be offered alongside “Panamera 4″ models, as evident from the set of photos which feature a Porsche Panamera 4S, which indicates a normally aspirated V8 powering all four wheels.

You can either shift through the gears youself with a six-speed manual transmission or enjoy the ease of the PDK gearbox, a 7-speed dual clutch transmission which unlike other “basic” twin clutchers, can also predict downshifts.

Look after the jump for a set of high-res photos and a video.

Click here to read the rest of More shots and details of the Porsche Panamera

The Proton Persona is now in Saudi Arabia, making it the third Proton model offered by Proton’s Saudi Arabian distributor Al Rashed & Al Thunayan Auto Co. The first two models offered there are the Proton Waja and the Proton GEN2, and after the Proton Persona will soon come the Proton Saga.

Last I checked, Proton’s distributorship contract with Al Rashed & Al Thunayan Auto Co is for 5 years beginning the year 2006, and involves a volume commitment of 2,400 units for 2008. They hope this will grow to between 4,000 to 5,000 units annually in the future.

This Chevrolet Cruze WTCC car will replace the Lacetti as Chevrolet’s entry in the World Touring Car Championship for the 2009 series, powered by a 2.0 liter petrol engine. It will be prepared by RML Motorsport, who have looked after the Chevy WTCC car since 2005.

“The Cruze is a great car and feels fast straight out of the box. We are obviously still at the very early stages of development but already I can feel how much better it handles and what an advantage the car’s wider track will be in a race environment,” said British driver Rob Huff, who will be joined by Swiss racer Alain Menu and Italian driver Nicola Larini, the same trio who also drove for the Chevy team this year.

The road-going Chevrolet Cruze was launched in Korea as the Daewoo Lacetti a few weeks ago and will make its UK debut in the first half of 2009.

Click here to read the rest of Chevrolet Cruze WTCC car for 2009 series

Eric Reguly of Canadian paper Globe and Mail has a piece on why the Detroit Three should be allowed to go bust. Click here to read the story.

Essentially the gist of the article is that the Detroit Three have gone lazy and have relied on lobbying auto-related laws such as CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards to be able to sell low-tech large guzzling and polluting SUVs at over-inflated prices, while other automakers who actually have to sell their cars in other markets which are not protected continued technically innovating and developing their cars following the global market trends.

The CAFE was a protectionist bailout in disguise, and now when the shit hits the fan, they want to be bailed out all over again, this time with cold hard cash.

Frankly I tend to agree. The only globally marketable car that seems to be coming out of GM’s factories now are all Daewoo-based. It’s ironic - from what was once a cheap car designed to sell in “emerging markets” like the special “ASEAN cars” we get here in our market, the new Daewoo Lacetti (pictured above, to be badged the Chevrolet Cruze) is touted as the car that could save GM, even in the US.

Nissan’s new 2009 370Z Coupe has arrived, having being just unveiled at the LA Auto Show last week, though we’ve already previously seen leaked product shots on the net before the show.

They’ve intentionally given the new Z a more retro-ish styling that they say pays homage to the original 240Z from the 70s, though there’s nothing retro about that odd headlamp design (that debuted on the new Maxima) that comes with a matching taillamp design. Unlike other cars which seem to grow larger with each generation, the new Nissan 370Z is actually smaller than the Nissan 350Z.

The new car’s wheelbase is a whole 99mm shorter than the 350Z - 2550mm versus 2649mm and its also shorter by about 2.7 inches and lower by 0.3 inches. However it’s wider by 1.3 inches and the rear track also increases by 2.2 inches.

The chassis has also been strengthened, with the front torsion rigidity up by 30% and rear torsion rigidity up by 22%. Rear body vertical bending rigidity is also up by 30%. A new front suspension crade reduces front body lateral bending, while an underbody V bar reduces rear lateral bending. Also, don’t forget the new radiator housing which uses carbon fiber composite.

More aluminium has been used on the 370Z than ever on a Z car before this - for the first time the Z car has aluminum door panels, along with an all-aluminum hood and an aluminium hatch. The front double wishbones also use aluminium and are lighter, while the 4-link rear supension is also stiffer and lighter with the cradle now made of a single piece with no welding.

The engine is the VQ37VHR that debuted in the Infiniti G37 with 332 horses at 7,000rpm and 366Nm of torque at 5,200rpm, but what’s interesting is the transmissions that are mated to this motor. The automatic choice has 7 cogs, a quick lock-up function, automatic throttle blipping on downshifts, and paddle shifts for a closer resemblance to what a manual feels. In manual mode, a quick-shifting mode is activated allowing 0.5 second shifts.

The manual option is a 6-speed manual with what Nissan calls a “SynchroRev Match” feature (it’s an option with the Sport Package, not standard), which automatically rev-matches your engine speed for downshifts. You still operate the clutch and the gear lever normally, its just that the transmission automatically blips and rev-matches for the downshift. Yes, heel and toe is no longer necessary, though you can still do it yourself if you want to by disabling the SynchroRev Match feature.

There are also some differences with the pedals. For one, the aluminium pedals use a new rubber insert material for better grip. The accelerator pedal is now floor mounted like BMWs or the new Honda Civic, while the brake pedal now has a new variable ratio design for easier operation.

The standard wheels are 18 inchers with Yokohama Advan Sport 225/50R18 tyres at the front and a wider 245/45R18 size at the rear. Optional are 19 inch RAYS forged aluminium-alloy wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber in 245/40R19 and 275/35R19 sizes for the front and rear respectively.

The roadster model will debut sometime in 2009 for the 2010 model year. Look after the jump for a hi-res photo gallery of the new 2009 Nissan 370Z.

Click here to read the rest of 2010 Nissan 370Z: Official Details and Photos

Mazda has decided to beat the spy photographers at their own game and publish these high-res high-quality photos of the upcoming hatchback version of the Mazda 3 undergoing road tests, complete with your classic taped up and covered sections.

The original Mazda 3 hatchback while having an obvious family resemblance to its sedan sibling did not share a single body panel with the sedan. You can expect the new Mazda 3 hatchback to follow its predecessor’s lead, but if we find out the front end is one and the same as the previously unveiled smiley sedan, it’s probably a sign of cost-cutting times.

Look after the jump for Mazda’s self-published “spyshots” of the Mazda 3 hatchback.

Click here to read the rest of Mazda releases “spyshots” of the Mazda 3 hatch!

Here we go, leaked official product photos of the Porsche Panamera. But seriously, I’m pretty sure everyone could already imagine how it’d look like before this unveiling.

I understand the refusal to change the looks of the 911 because of heritage but this is an all-new model. Is it really necessary to make it look like teh designers stretched a 911 and added another two doors?

Still, like the Cayenne, there will many who will buy it just because it’s a Porsche. It will be interesting to wait for the various motoring press to report if it drives like one as well.

Look after the jump for a couple more shots.

Click here to read the rest of Revealed: Porsche Panamera, official photos leaked!

Picture by A1GP.com

The A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsports was initiated 4 years ago by its founding fathers; Arab billionaire Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum and Tony Teixeira. Let’s have a look at the history of the A1GP and how it works.

Click here to read the rest of A1 GP: a brief history and how it works

Fujian-based Southeast Motor only sold Mitsubishi vehicles like the Zinger MPV in China, up to now. This is their very first self-branded car called the Southeast Motor V3 Lingyue, which uses the 4G15 Mitsubishi 1.5 liter MIVEC engine.

Dimensions of 4,405mm x 1,700mm x 1,415mm with a 2,500mm wheelbase make it slightly bigger (and heavier) than our own second generation Proton Saga. The 1.5 liter MIVEC engine it uses puts out a decent 109 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 134Nm of torque at 3,000rpm.

It’s priced between 60,000 yuan (RM31,850) to 80,000 yuan (RM42,450), depending on which model. Four models are available, but all of them come with 5-speed manual transmissions with no automatic available.

Looking at its dimensions, wheelbase and the detailing of the design it looks pretty much like the sixth generation Mitsubishi Lancer (the one the Evo4, Evo 5 and Evo 6 is based on) refreshed with a different front end and rear end and some technical updates.

Look after the jump for many more shots of the V3 Lingyue.

Click here to read the rest of Southeast Motor V3 Lingyue: Mitsubishi distributor’s first own-brand compact car

Picture by A1GP.com

It was a dry and sunny Sunday morning, with a healthy number of spectators awaiting the start of the Sprint Race. Neel Jani was on pole for Team Switzerland, with Team New Zealand and Team France in second and third. Unfortunately, the Sprint race was red flagged even before it started, with an incident involving Team Brazil, Team USA and Team India where all three cars retired as a result of a heavy chain accident during rolling start formation, right before crossing the start/finish line.

Drivers went around the track again behind the safety car and this time bad luck fell upon Team Briton as they suffered a gearbox problem, forcing Danny Watts to pit. As the race re-started, Neel Jani lead away without a problem and 2 laps later Fairuz Fauzy suffered a puncture at the Turn 2 as a result of a small accident with Team Republic of South Africa (RSA) as both were fighting for 8th position.

Most drivers performed their mandatory pit stops with 5 laps to go and up front Team New Zealand managed to take away second place from Team France in the pits. Unfortunately with 2 laps to go, Team New Zealand had to allow Team France to pass as the Kiwi team gained an unfair advantage during pit stop which enabled them to pass Team France in the first place. On lap 11, Swiss’s Neel Jani crossed the finish line in first, giving Team Switzerland their third consecutive Sprint race win at Sepang. Loic Duval of Team France finished in second, ahead of New Zealand’s Earl Bamber. Team Portugal, Ireland and Netherlands finished in fourth, fifth and sixth.

Picture by A1GP.com

A disappointed Fairuz Fauzy finished the race a lap down in 15th. With the end of the Sprint race, Team Malaysia lost it’s championship lead to Team France which has scored 35 points. Malaysia now ties with Team France with 28 points each.

With windy conditions, dark clouds were making their way towards the track as teams and drivers were getting ready for the Feature race. Team Ireland was on pole this time ahead of Team Great Briton and Team Lebanon. A1 Team Malaysia will launch from a strong fourth. Neel Jani, winner of the Sprint race will start from the very back end of the grid due to a not-so-impressive qualifying performance yesterday.

All 19 600-horse power Ferrari V8’s (with the exception of Team Korea) rumbled up as drivers started their formation lap, to get ready for the standing start of the 34 laps Feature race. The track was still dry and as soon the lights went out all cars blasted their way towards Turn 1, with India spinning into retirement. Neel Jani stalled his engine mid way through the lap, putting his race to a pre-mature end. All top four driver positions left unchanged and a lap later the scarlet Ferrari 599 safety car was deployed.

Picture by A1GP.com

The race restarted with 31 laps to go and Malaysia’s Fairuz Fauzy made an impressive start, stealing third place at Turn 1. Bad luck struck Team Great Briton again as Danny Watts lost his front wing on the same lap. Team France also dived into the pits to replace a punctured tire, which was good news for the local team in terms of championship standings. Adam Caroll of Team Ireland maintained the lead with Team Portugal and host Team Malaysia trailing closely behind with 27 laps to go.

As the first pit window opened, Fauzy was the first to make his mandatory stop, with quite a few cars behind doing the same. Team Malaysia had a clean and quick stop. Portugal came in a lap later and kept second place ahead of Team Malaysia and Team Netherlands. Leader Team Ireland had a good stop on lap 13. With 18 laps to go, Adam Caroll increased his lead by about five seconds from Filipe Albuquerque of Portugal.

A huge mix up for Team Malaysia occurred, possibly a communication break down, as Fairuz Fauzy “suddenly” dived into pits. No mechanical problems were apparent as he rejoined in 14th which allowed Team USA to snatch third. Apparently what happened was the radio communication systems had a malfunction and Fairuz heard a pit command that was meant for another team.

“Throughout the race my car was very strong, but I just suffered a few handling problems, nothing major though. The team called me in for the first pit stop, it was fine, and we went out in the same position again, with the same gap to second placed Portugal. After ten laps I was struggling with over steer on the car, I’m not sure why - maybe the rear tyres pressures were too high, or the rears had just gone. I tried to radio the team, got nothing, and then Box this lap, Box this lap, and then Copy that, then I boxed. When I came in I saw the team was not ready so I knew something was not right. I just had to carry on, but obviously I was very disappointed. Considering we had the extra pit stop it was a really good recovery, the car was very strong. I think if we hadn’t had the pit issue, we would have had a podium. After the last pit stop, I was running about a second quicker, it’s tough for us all,” said Fairuz Fauzy.

Picture by A1GP.com

The second pit spot window opened with 14 laps remaining and Marco Andretti was the first to pit. Team Malaysia performed their third pit stop of the day and second mandatory stop as well. John Martin of Australia took 7th place from Team RSA in the pits. Fauzy who was down in 13th was giving Team Lebanon a hard time as the duo were fighting for 12th place and he managed to pass Daniel Morad on the main straight with 8 laps to go. Team Ireland increased the gap from Team Portugal by 13 seconds with Malaysia up in 11th. Earl Bamber of New Zealand was pushing Adrian Zaugg of Team RSA whose Ferrari was dispossing a cloud of brake dust in fifth.

With only 2 laps to go, Fauzy overtook Edoardo Piscopo of Team Italy to snatch the final point giving position of 10th place. Adam Caroll who enjoyed a comfortable lead was the first to take the checkered flag, with Portugal in second and USA’s Marco Andretti took his first podium in third. Team Australia came in fourth ahead of Team RSA, after managing to keep New Zealand at bay in sixth.

Seventh spot was taken up by Felipe Guimaraes of Brazil as The Netherlands finished in eight. Ho Pin Tung was the ninth driver to cross the line for Team China. Team Malaysia made a good recovery finishing in 10th spot, scoring one crucial point. Team Monoco, India and Switzerland failed to cross the finish line and were classified as retirees.

Picture by A1GP.com

Fauzy said of his home race, “At the end of the day, we win, we lose, we are the one team and the most important thing is the support. At the end of the day the crowd showed me such support, I was able to use this and was able to catch and finish in the top 10. The most important thing is we scored one point; every point is like gold and will make a lot of difference towards the end of the season.”

It was really a colorful event, with mixed and unexpected results. Championship standings wise, Team Ireland is on top with 43 points. Portugal is now in second with 35 points with France in third with 31. Team Malaysia settles for fifth with 29 points for now. The A1 World Cup of Motorsports circus will now head to New Zealand for the fourth round in Taupo on the 25th of January 2009! See you next year!
Look after the jump for a set of hi-res photos, including race queens!

Story by Harvinder Singh Sidhu

Click here to read the rest of 2008/09 A1 GP at Sepang: Sunday Report