Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Leaked: 2009 BMW 7 Series photos hit the web]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/leaked-2009-bmw-7-series-photos-hit-the-web/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/leaked-2009-bmw-7-series-photos-hit-the-web/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/leaked-2009-bmw-7-series-photos-hit-the-web/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above image for a gallery of the new 7

There's a crack in the dam somewhere at BMW, and what certainly appear to be official press shots of the new 2009 7 Series are now making the rounds. This leads us to believe that we should see an official release from the automaker sometime over the weekend (if the way the 1 Series leaks played out is any indication). Obviously, all we have to go on are the photos, so lets talk about what we can see. The new car's lines and overall appearance are remarkably conservative compared to the Bangleized E65/E66 cars we were presented in 2001. The 2006 facelift those cars underwent cured many of those visual ills, and this latest car mainstreams things even further.

Up front, the wide double-kidney grille is flanked by angel-eye lamps that have an "eyebrow" built into their assembly. Move to the rear, and you'll find a pair of somewhat bulbous-looking (in pictures, at least) taillamps that are likely to generate a good amount of for/against chatter. Integrated, parallelogram-shaped exhaust tips poke through the rear bumper of the gold long-wheelbase car, while the darker, diesel-powered standard-length machine has a traditional double-tipped outlet on the driver's side.

The interior sports a new iDrive controller with buttons mounted around it now, and the iDrive onscreen interface itself is new, too. The multifunction steering wheel now has 3 spokes instead of four, and one shot clearly shows BMW's new in-car Internet service onscreen. Finally, the rear-seat entertainment system gets screens on each front seatback instead of the single, low-mount center screen available in the current 7. We're sure there's plenty more to talk about as well. For now, the comment floor is yours, and we expect to be talking about the official details in the coming days. Thanks to all the tipsters!

Gallery: 2009 BMW 7 Series


[Source: 7Post]

Leaked: 2009 BMW 7 Series photos hit the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 bmw 7 series2009Bmw7Series77 series7Seriesnew 7new 7 seriesNew7New7SeriesThu, 03 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/rendered-speculation-mazdas-taiki-inspired-rx-7-revival/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars (Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988.

Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine. Bumped out to 3.2 liters, the new Wankel will have direct fuel injection and sport forced induction via turbocharging. Reshaped combustion chambers are said to improve thermal efficiency, burn more completely, produce more low end torque, and return better fuel economy (woo-hoo!). We're surprised they didn't switch it's fuel to Unicorn sneezes, as the rest of the improvements seem like a fairy tale outcome for the wimpy, thirsty Wankel we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>78concepthazakemazdanagarerenderingrotaryrxrx-7rx-8rx7rx8ryugaspy photosspy shotsSpyPhotosSpyShotstaikiwankelThu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/19/king-of-the-ring-pagani-zonda-f-sets-new-norschleife-lap-recor/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/19/king-of-the-ring-pagani-zonda-f-sets-new-norschleife-lap-recor/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/19/king-of-the-ring-pagani-zonda-f-sets-new-norschleife-lap-recor/#commentsFiled under: ,

You can make a car that accelerates. You can make a car that brakes. You can make one that handles. One that corners. One with a high top speed. But to make one that does it all is a different story entirely. That's why automakers go to the Nürburgring. Its northern loop is twenty-two kilometers of twists, turns, dips, straights, chicanes...even a carousel. And it's got a new champion.

The Pagani Zonda F recently lapped the track that claimed Lauda's ears in a scant 7:27:82, edging out the previous ruler, the Porsche Carrera GT (which it also rivals for carbon-fiber content in its construction). The Zonda's hot lap shaved a mere two milliseconds off the Carrera's time, but those are two milliseconds the German supercar evidently couldn't muster on its own home track. How embarrassing, ja?

The specific model that hit the high time was a Clubsport version, which itself will be trumped by the even more extreme Zonda R before designer Horacio Pagani goes back to the drawing board for the Zonda's successor.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: Pagani Zonda F at Geneva 07

King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>27782bordschleifeclubsportflaploopnorthnurburgringpaganirrecordzondaFri, 19 Oct 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/19/ebay-find-of-the-week-mazda-fd-rx-7-equipped-with-grand-nationa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Here's another example of liking the individual hardware pieces, but being repulsed by the idea of the ultimate combination. RX7s are cool. Grand Nationals are cool. But a vehicular mash-up of a 1993 RX-7 powered by a Buick GN's V6 seems a little weird. Weird to think that it even gets past regulatory agencies, as it's an older, totally alien engine in a newer car, which might make it interesting to register in a state with California emissions. The swap is well done, though, even if we'd question the handling a heavier and much more powerful engine in the snout brings with it. It's fast, but does it understeer like a pig and snap the tail out? The seller seems to have focused on posting low elapsed times in the quarter mile, so think about that when you conjure what the dynamics may be. Follow the jump for more.

[Source: eBay via Carscoop]

Gallery: GN powered RX-7

Continue reading eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7buickebaygngrand nationalGrandNationalmazdarxrx-7rx7turbov6Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 30th, 7-Series!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's been thirty years since BMW introduced the first incarnation of its flagship luxury sedan. The original 7-Series (codenamed E23) made its market debut in 1977 to replace the four-door version of the smaller 6-Series and to compete with offerings from competitors, chief among them Mercedes-Benz.

Since then, the 7-Series has become a staple of the high-end luxury car market, doing battle with such models as the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. It is now in its fourth incarnation (not counting facelifts and cosmetic tweaks along the way), and has come a long way in the past 30 years. With the "controversial" styling, insanely complex iDrive system and worldwide portfolio of a dozen different variants, it's doubtful a buyer of the original 7 would even recognize its successor today.

From all of us at Autoblog, we wish the ultimate Ultimate Driving Machine a happy birthday. We look forward to a return to the simpler luxury sports sedan that we'd come to know.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Happy 30th, 7-Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>307anniversarybirthdaybmwseriesyearsSun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/happy-50th-birthday-caterham-x330-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/happy-50th-birthday-caterham-x330-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/happy-50th-birthday-caterham-x330-concept/#commentsFiled under:


Click image for gallery

None of us at Autoblog HQ are knocking on the half-century mark yet, but we can only hope that we're saluted in the same way that Caterham decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The X330 Concept is exactly that, but it foretells the destiny of future Caterhams. A 2.3-liter, turbocharged Ford Duratec produces the concept's namesake, sending 330 HP and 221 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. Carbon fiber makes up the majority of the body panels, while a lighter steel frame holds it all together. The resulting thrust makes the lack of windscreen a disturbing proposition.

Although the X330 isn't slated for production, those of you who were in attendance at the Donington Park event this past weekend, celebrating the 7's golden anniversary, were in for a show.

[Source: Caterham]

Gallery: Caterham X330 Concept

Continue reading Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept

Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50 years50th anniversary50thAnniversary50Years7caterhamduratecfordseventurboturbochargedv6X330Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST