This was the car that started it all for BMW’s M division back in 1970s, the BMW M1. It featured a 6-cylinder engine and is the only BMW series sports car with the engine installed in a mid-engine position. The body was designed by Giugiaro, and it was hand-built from 1978 to 1981, with only 456 built. Watch the video after the jump.
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VIDEO: BMW M1 – BMW’s only mid-engined car
2009 Hyundai Matrix Facelift
March 7, 2008 at 4:15 am Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans, Videos
Hyundai has given its Hyundai Matrix a facelift for the 2009 model year and the mini-MPV now features Hyundai’s new corporate nose, similiar to the one on the new generation Hyundai i30. There are minimal changes on the rear.
Three engine choices are available – a 103 PS 1.6 litre from the Alpha family of engines, a 128 PS 1.8 litre from the Beta family of engines, and a 1.5 litre CRDi turbodiesel putting out 110 PS. The Malaysian Inokom Matrix is only available with the petrol engines.
More photos and a video after the jump.
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Kia SOUL Concepts – Burner, Searcher, Diva
March 7, 2008 at 3:38 am Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Kia, Koreans, Videos
Kia showcased three differently styled concept versions of the Kia SOUL, an upcoming production model set to be launched at the Paris Motor Show this year.
The Kia SOUL Diva is aimed at the conscious young-at-heart woman who regards her car as part of her outfit. The Kia SOUL Burner is the “bad boy”, while the Kia SOUL Searcher is meant to project a sense of tranquility within the urban jungle, somewhat like a comfort zone.
“Because this new Kia model is not a replacement for an existing vehicle and will play a unique role within the Kia range it can be a bit of a rebel! The trio of concepts shown at Geneva are ‘appetisers for the Paris introduction. We are making a bold ‘fun statement to highlight ‘the world of possibilities that this new Kia will bring to the marketplace,” said Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Kia Motors Europe.
Guillaume led the Kia SOUL Concept trio’s design team, under the guidance of Kia’s Chief Design Office Peter Schreyer. Mr Schreyer is shown above with the concepts.
More photos and a video after the jump.
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Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Race
This is the most powerful tune-up of the Ferrari F430 from Novitec Rosso to date, and it is given the name F430 Race. We saw a 656 horsepower version just last year, but Novitec Rossi is back with a 707 horsepower monster thanks to the two superchargers slapped onto the Ferrari F430′s V8 engine. The 707 horses kicks in fully at 8,350rpm, while torque is rated at a peak of 712Nm at 6,300rpm, giving the Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Race a 0 to 100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.
The 4.3 litre V8′s two belt-driven superchargers gets upgraded turbine vanes and boost upped to 0.48 bar, which seems rather low but already very decent for the engine thats been force induction, considering the high revs and the high compression ratio. The blown air gets cooled by water-cooled intercoolers, one for each supercharger. Air is sucked in via a new heat-insulated intake manifold with larger ports, and high-performance air filters. On the exhaust side, low-pressure performance catalysts and a high performance stainless-steel exhaust system designed by Novitec Rosso ensures minimal restrictions.
The car rides on 20 inch wheels instead of the standard 19 inchers, and the tyres used are 235/30ZR20 at the front and 325/25ZR20 at the rear from Pirelli. The suspension system is a Novitec Rosso system, which can be raised by 40mm at the push of a button to get past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the speed goes past 80km/h, the suspension will lower back to its normal setting automatically, which is 35mm lower than the production F430. This means the car can be raised up to 5mm higher than a production F430.
Prices start at 193,277 Euros for the base version. For existing Ferrari F430 owners, a conversion kit is priced at 51,260 Euros.
Look at more photos after the jump, and also a video featuring the previous F430 tune-up which produces 656 horses.
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VIDEO: The BMW M3 – Milestones
This video produced by BMW WebTV is some form of short documentary (2:27 long) on the history of the BMW M3. Check out the video after the jump, together with links to a previously published three-part series of articles on the BMW M3.
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Toyota previews next gen Hybrid Synergy Drive
Toyota has been testing a plug-in version of its Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid car.
The plug-in system is expected to make its debut in the next generation Toyota Prius, which is due soon. Plug-in recharging is one of the features of the next generation Hybrid Synergy Drive.
According to Toyota, a complete recharge of the prototype’s batteries can be done in about 3 to 4 hours from a 100V outlet. Check out the 3 minute video after the jump, which previews the next generation Prius technologies.
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VIDEO: Lexus IS-F on the race track
It’s been quite some time since we’ve heard of the Lexus IS-F here on this blog. Here is a video of the Lexus IS-F at a track day. You can see a whole line-up of the Lexus IS-F in the pits, and not just the blue one we see so often. Needless to say, there’s also plenty of engine growl to enjoy. Video after jump.
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BMW at the Geneva Motorshow 2008
March 5, 2008 at 3:56 am Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Videos
This is BMW’s opening video for its 2008 Geneva Motorshow showcase. It includes the new hybrid-turbodiesel BMW X5 Concept Vision EfficientDynamics, the BMW X6, the new M3 Convertible, and other cars in the Geneva line-up. Video after jump.
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Renault Megane “Parts” Advertisement
Renault’s agency Publicis produced this “Parts” advertisement for the new Renault Megane. It shows a mad rush of multiple similiar parts rushing down the corridors to be installed into the new Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. Kind of like how humans are produced actually – only the best makes it through 
View the ad after the jump.
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Citroen C5 – Unmistakeably German Advertisement
Citroen’s Unmistakeably German ad campaign for the new second generation Citroen C5 by Euro RSCG highlights the “Teutonic” qualities of the new Citroen C5. It further strengthens the fact that the typical “German-ness” of a car is something very desirable. Even when the Ford Focus was launched, ad campaigns delivered the message “European styling, German technology.” The Citroen ad features a traditional Bavarian bar and grill, sections of the Autobahn, and the historic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Watch the Citroen C5 ad after the jump.
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The new second generation Citroen C5
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