The Best Future Cars

Build Your Own Batmbobile Tumbler Go-Kart - with Video

If you're the kind of type that doesn't care what the neighbors might have to say about you and wouldn't mind driving around in your very own miniature replica of the Tumbler from Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, then you may want to check out this go-kart creation from eBay user "Tully712". If you win the auction the seller will send you a zipped file containing the plans to build the Tumbler go-kart. Those intrigued may follow the jump to check out the Tumbler in action

Link: eBay

Cadillac to Launch 5 New Models Including BMW 3-Series Rival and CTS-V Coupe by 2011

GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson confirmed today that Cadillac is developing five new models through 2011 including an entry-level luxury sports sedan that will compete against the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 sedans in the segment below the CTS. The announcement was part of a general relaunch of GM that will present a total of 25 new models from now until the end of 2011.

Back to Cadillac's 3-Series rival, GM said that the new sedan that will be offered with high-tech engines, rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive will take on the best in the segment.

"We are determined to repeat what CTS has already achieved in design, quality, driving dynamics, performance and fuel economy to grow our presence in this high-volume and highly competitive segment," Henderson said.

Aside from the new entry level sedan and the already revealed SRX compact crossover and the CTS Sport Wagon, Henderson confirmed that the firm will introduce the production version of the CTS Coupe concept which will be offered in a "V" guise boasting the same 556HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as the CTS-V Sedan.

Automotive News also reported that Cadillac's plans include a common replacement for the flagship rear-wheel drive STS and front-wheel drive DTS models that will share its underpinnings with the Buick LaCrosse and be offered with all-wheel drive. For the record, GM did not disclose any details on this vehicle.

*Correction Cadillac will introduce five new models and not 10

Hyundai iX35: Tucson's Replacement Caught Completely Undisguised!

New photographs of the Hyundai iX35 that is set to replace the Tucson have made their way into the webosphere. And unlike previous spy shots that showed the vehicle under heavy camouflage, this time the iX35 has been captured completely undisguised finally revealing the styling bound for Hyundai's new compact SUV. While the production car is less dramatic than the ix-onic concept shown in Geneva earlier this year, the iX35 looks a great deal more attractive and distinct than the current Tucson.

On the outside, the most noticeable changes over the concept concern the more conventional styling of the iX35's rear end. However, overall, it appears that Hyundai's designers remained faithful to the original concept.

As for the interior, we only have one shot of the instrument cluster that features a pair of deeply set gauges - just like the ix-onic.

The new iX35 (we're not sure yet if Hyundai will adopt the same alphanumeric naming system for the North American model), shares its underpinnings with the next-generation Kia Sportage which is also under development.

Hyundai's RAV-4 challenger will be offered with the option of front- or all-wheel drive while the engine line-up is said to include two newly developed 1.6-liter gasoline engines with direct injection delivering 140 HP (naturally aspirated) and 175 HP (turbocharged) as well as a new 2.0-liter diesel with 184 horsepower.

Pics via: Jokeforblog

Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Heading to Frankfurt Show

At the Frankfurt Motor Show Mazda in September, Mazda will present a special concept version of its current generation MX-5 / Miata Roadster as part of the celebrations for the car's 20th anniversary. Designed at Mazda's studio in Frankfurt, Germany, the MX-5 Superlight version is described by the company as "a show car capturing the pure essence of the world's most popular roadster." Think of it as the MX-5 most of us would want to drive but very few would actually buy.

The stripped out, lightweight roadster comes with no windshield and a sportier chassis set up while we also noticed the absence of visible door handles and the bucket sport seats in the interior. The Japanese firm did not disclose any details on the changes over the standard version nor on what lies under the hood.

So, are there any chances that we'll see the MX-5 Superlight making it into production? For now, Mazda claims that the vehicle is just a show car, but we wouldn't be surprised at all if the automaker decides to produce the Superlight in a limited run in the very near future.

Chevrolet to Reveal 10 New Models, Buick and GMC another 10 through 2011

The new General Motors announced today that it is going to launch 25 brand-new models into the market by the end of 2011 including five new entries for Cadillac, 10 for Chevy while Buick and GMC will add another 10 new models. We've already told you about Cadillac's entries here, so let's concentrate on the three other brands of the "revitalized" General Motors.

Starting with Chevrolet, the brand's most important introduction is of course the Volt plug-in hybrid that's expected to achieve triple-digit fuel economy according to a new methodology used by EPA (see here). In addition to the Volt that will arrive in US showrooms in late 2010, Chevy's relaunch will be include the Spark city car, the Cruze compact-size sedan, a replacement for the Aveo and quite possibly, the Convertible version of the Camaro.

Moving on to Buick and GMC, the Detroit automaker said that the two brands will present a total of 10 new entries through 2011.

Buick's range will be enhanced with the 2010MY Buick La Crosse as well what appears to be a rebadged version of the Saturn Vue compact crossover in 2010 followed in 2011 by a plug-in hybrid variant plus two more sedans, one based on the Opel Insignia / Buick Regal (Chinese market) and the other on the Chevy Cruze / Opel Astra Delta platform.

As for GMC, aside from the new Terrain SUV that was unveiled in New York in April, it is reported that General Motors will present a smaller crossover model.

We suspect that GM will release more details on its new model portfolio later on in the year.

KTM Backs ABT Sportsline 300HP Power Upgrade for X-BOW

As well as backing up ABT Sportline's aftermarket performance kit for the X-BOW, KTM also released UK pricing for the upgrade that raises the 2.0-liter TFSI engine's output from 240HP to 300HP and maximum torque from 310Nm to 400Nm. The upgrade that is sold as an aftermarket package and can be retrofitted to all X-BOW models costs £5,300 (about €8,700) including VAT and fitting, and comes with a two year warranty.

Lifting the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio to 380HP per tonne, the ABT-prepped X-BOW launches from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds or 0.4 seconds faster than the 240HP factory model.

"X-BOW's racecar-inspired chassis and sophisticated aerodynamic package have always given owners the ability to go head-to-head with some of the world's most exotic machinery," said Jeff Lau, KTM's X-BOW Manager for the UK.

"This power upgrade will ensure that X-BOW owners seeking an even more extreme experience can do so in total confidence, building upon the quality assurance of the expert engineering and exquisite finish for which X-BOW is recognised."

A.R.T. Prepares One-Off Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG for Abu Dhabi Prince

Here's some more proof that wealth does not equal taste. This one-off Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG was developed by the German tuning firm A.R.T. specially for His Highness Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Sultan Bin Rashed Al Nahyan. Dubbed the AS55K Yaas Edition, the G55 AMG's stock 5.5-liter V8 has been optimized to deliver an output of 620 HP, up from 507 HP.

A high-performance brake system with 8-piston calipers up front and 4-piston brake calipers at the back complete the mechanical upgrades. From there on, it's all about styling - or so to say.

The AS55K Yaas Edition sports a full bodykit with many components coated in carbon-fiber along with polished stainless steel bars under the side skirts and the rear bumper and to top it all, a trio of chrome-plated tailpipes positioned right under the rear doors.

Furthermore, the widened fenders house 22-inch polished alloys wrapped in high-performance tyres while the Prince also opted to equip the G55 AMG with no less than 12 projector lamps including four xenon upper-beam headlights and eight fog lamps.

Open the Merc's door and you'll be greeted by cinnamon-colored leather and Alcantara that cover most surfaces matched (?) with carbon fiber decorative trim in a weird bronze hue.

A.R.T. did not say what the price tag was for this one-off creation but we reckon that only a Prince (or a King) could afford it.

Blog Archive