Opel to Show European Version of Chevy Volt Plug-in Hybrid at Geneva Auto Show

Opel will unveil a vehicle at the Geneva Auto Show in March that uses the same powertrain as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, parent company General Motors announced this week, and that the car will be named Ampera.
The Ampera (pictured) will enter production in 2011, one year after the Volt is scheduled to do so, GM said. Vauxhall, Opel's sister brand in the U.K., will get its own version in 2012 or sometime thereafter.
All three cars will share the Voltec powertrain, which will use an electric motor for propulsion. A battery pack will supply electricity to the motor for the initial 40 or so miles of driving. After that, an onboard gasoline generator will come on to juice the battery pack for roughly 200 more miles of travel.
Once out of gasoline, the Ampera's lithium-ion battery can be recharged via a standard 230-volt outlet. GM will release more data on the European-specification Ampera at the Geneva show.
"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, a spokesman for GM Europe's chief marketing office.
The European variant of the Volt is a key model for GM Europe's future model plans and the reinvention of Opel as an upper mid-market brand.
The Ampera is not expected to have any major styling changes in comparison to the Volt and is set to rival the new generation Toyota Prius and Honda Insight that will go on sale in Europe this year.
GM will be hoping that the Ampera's groundbreaking plug-in hybrid powertrain technology will give the model an edge over the Prius and Insight - conventional hybrids that rely on less-desirable nickel-metal hydride battery technology

2005 Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

The second generation of the Mercedes roadster is as refreshing, enlivening and potent as an Italian espresso, displaying its prowess in much stronger terms than the outgoing model. Underpinning these enhanced performance credentials are the powerful new engines, a sporty suspension set-up, and a more direct steering.
Inspired by Formula 1 racing cars, the exterior design of the roadster continues the dynamic theme and pleases the eye
16/22 mpgMain dimensions (L x W x H): 161 x 70.6 x 50 in (4,089 x 1,794 x 1,271 mm) Curb Weight: 3397 lbs Layout: Front-Engine/RWD Transmission: 7-Speed Auto engineType: V8 Displacement: 5439 cc Horsepower: 360 bhp @ 5750 rpm Torque: 376 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Redline: 6800 rpm Performance 0-60 mph: N/A sec 0-100 mph: N/A sec Top Speed: 160 mph Miles Per Gallon:

2009 Hyundai i30cw Wagon - the lifestyle

The i30 hatch has been a runaway success for Hyundai, not to mention a benchmark for the brand, in terms of styling and quality
Building on this, Hyundai has introduced the i30cw Wagon - touted as the lifestyle choice for the budget buyer. To demonstrate this aspect of the car’s intended market, Hyundai invited lifestyle journalists to participate in the launch of the i30cw.
Entitled "Full of unexpected surprises", tying in with Hyundai’s image for the car, we were loaded up in 17 wagons, and directed to the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales. Hyundai says that this sort of trip is what buyers of the i30cw will be undertaking, once they settle in to ownership.
The ride also is said to be similar to the i30 hatch, although it did seem a little stiffer, which might be down to the wheelbase change. Certainly Hyundai tells us that it has tried to emulate the hatch as closely as possible.Building on this, Hyundai has introduced the i30cw Wagon - touted as the lifestyle choice for the budget buyer. To demonstrate this aspect of the car’s intended market, Hyundai invited lifestyle journalists to participate in the launch of the i30cw.
Entwill be undertaking, once they settle in to ownership.
The ride also is said to be similar to the i30 hatch, although it did seem a little stiffer, which might be down to the wheelbase change. Certainly Hyundai tells us that it has tried to emulate the hatch as closely as possible.
The engines also mirror the hatch, with a 2.0-litre petrol, and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel on offer.
After arriving at the airfield, two Czechoslovakian fighters called Yaks, and a Tiger Moth awaited the eager crowd. But before we could strap ourselves in, an engine revved in the hangar. The new Hyundai i10 launched out, and whizzed its way through the motorkhana set up on the apron. Clapping ensued.
Not a moment after, a deeper, gruntier engine was heard from inside the hangar. Blasting out was a bright, green, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, piloted by none other than Hyundai’s own tame racing driver ‘The Stag’. A drift session through the cones followed, with cheering from the assembled media.
CarAdvice had a word with Hyundai’s affable PR manager, Ben Hershman. Something to the effect of "Bring it! Bring it! Bring it! Bring it! Bring it! Bring it! Bring it!"….itled "Full of unexpected surprises", tying in with Hyundai’s image for the car, we were loaded up in 17 wagons, and directed to the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales. Hyundai says that this sort of trip is what buyers of the i30cw

Murcielago LP-640

Enough of Bugatti Veyron editions? This time, it’s a Lambo in the news. British tuner Prindiville Prestige is offering the most expensive, special edition Lamborghini since the launch of the €1 million Reventon. Prindiville is renowned for creating one-off, custom-made cars and this completely restyled Murcielago LP-640 is one great example. The roadster has been redesigned from the ground up and the interior modifications alone were done for €330,000. These modifications include saddle-tanned leather, hand-finished aluminum accents and specially engineered aluminum air vents. The car has been upholstered in buffalo foreskins. Carbon fiber work is all the rage these days, so they did the whole outer bodywork in carbon fiber, excluding the front compartment lid. Valances, sills and louvers have been used for a shark-like appearance.

Other notable upgrades include a titanium sports exhaust system, handleless doors with remote electric opening, miniature cameras in the door mirrors and a restyled engine bay cover.The total cost for the bespoke special edition carbon fiber Lamborghini goes over $1 million. The Lamborghini Murciélago by Prindiville is daringly designed, stylishly aggressive and one of a kind.

The happiness of driving, advanced technical solutions impressive style and luxurious finishes, even meet the requirements of the luxury cars: Audi introduced a new generation of its best-selling Audi A 4 New.Fully updated look of the front of the body has completed its characteristic Audi single trapezoidal radiator grille. A new rear of the vehicle and underlined with horizontal lines, and side panels, which added a special focus sports.A new appearance of the Audi A 4 New fully correspond used in the technical solution. Pick any of the seven engines: your service to the powerful and advanced petrol units, as well as effective, with a high point of diesels.

All these engines are the embodiment of the philosophy of the superiority of high technology. And, rest assured, all they offer spectacular disperse!The original appearance: expressive seamless lattice radiator and tapering toward the center of the car headlights transparent new design with the bottom edge attached expanding new model Audi A 4 New a completely new look. Seamless trapezoidal shape radiator slats repeated in a convex contours of the hood. The style of the front of the car coincided with the draft Nuvolari quattro, stressing the relationship with other new models of Audi-A8 6.0L quattro, A6 and A3 Sport back: representatives of a new generation of Audi.

LambMurciélago LP640

Engine Type: 12 cylinders V 600Compression Ratio 11:1Maximum Power: 471kW(640 PS) AT 8000 rpmMaximum Torque: 660 Nm AT 6000 rpmEmission Control System: Catalytic convreters with lambda sensorsTOP SPEED: 340km/hPermanant 4-wheel drive and electronic traction control system