The Citroen GT Concept has been designated to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in its road-ready version. The latest news talks about how only 6 specimens will be available, and especially about the sky-high price of 1.3 million Euros. As if this weren’t enough, instead of the futuristic hydrogen fuel cell engine of the prototype, we’ll probably find it equipped with a Ford V8 engine with 500 hp, combined with automatic transmission and paddles on the steering wheel.

The aesthetics will be entirely identical to the prototype, including its elaborate and futuristic interior, which, at the Paris Auto Show, had left both the public and car dealers alike speechless. The prototype was designed by Takumi Yamamoto for the latest version of the Gran Turismo video game for Sony Playstation 3.

From | Autocar (thanks to CorvetteC6R for the recommendation)

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The restyled Fiat Grande Punto will be marketed as the Punto Evo, as we had predicted Thursday. The renewed vehicle from Turin will be the subject of a profound aesthetic makeover, concentrated mainly on the front end and the interior; the rear fenders will also be changed, with different side scoops. The strange thing, though, is that it is present in the same price listings as the Punto Classic and the current Grande Punto.

And yes, this is because this last one, the Grande Punto, will continue to be produced in the same way, with prices reduced by some thousands of Euros and a engine series reduced to the bare bones: all the remaining “survivors” will be fitted with the Euro 4 engine. Unlike the Punto Evo, which will be proposed with a Euro 5 engine equipped with Multiair (the presence of the 1.4-liter engine with 105 hp is almost certain) and, over the course of 2010, with the 900cc SGE.

From | Quattroruote

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This is a video for the petrol head in you: one for the speed queen, turbo charged, adrenalin seeker who wants to see fast cars driven… fast. Top Gear compares the McLaren F1 and the Bugatti Veyron in what’s probably a gratuitous test for them to get out in some supercars and play around.

The “two fastest road cars of all time” get out for a speed test in which the only conclusion that can be made is not that they’re both very fast. They’re both stunning, absolutely breathtaking, to look at. And they’re both the stuff of dreams.

It may seem a little unfair to compare the Bugatti to a car that’s already ten years old, but the McLaren is no slack in mechanics and it’s lighter. For a hair raising race, and the result, see the video.

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According to data, fuelling air conditioners in cars every year consumes up to 28 million litres of petrol, equal to about six percent of the total consumption of petrol and diesel. American scientists from NREL (laboratory for renewable energies) have released these figures, and also calculated that coolant leaks cause emissions of 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Experts are working to improve the function of air conditioners, so as improve efficiency by about 33 percent. Some ideas are already being tested, including overhauling air conditioning systems and replacing or changing traditional coolant systems. A special paint for cars that reflects solar rays could also be an option, reducing the need for air conditioning.

This summer, Ford will be the major partner in research projects of this kind, with the Department of Energy in the US dedicating a 4.2 million-dollar donation to the company. The money will go to improving car air conditioning systems and to the development of a thermal-electric system.

Source | Ecoblog

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Porsche has released two new videos of the Panamera: one of the turbo version and the other of the Panamera 4S. After the video of Autocar testing the Panamera turbo, we can get even closer to this new Porsche offering. The Panamera 4S (video after the jump) is equipped with the 4.8-litre aspirated V8 at 400 hp and all wheel drive.

Continue reading: Two new videos of Porsche Panamera

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Autobild has tested the 1.4-litre turbo Multiair engine at 165 hp and have been very, very impressed by the performance. The quality of this technological innovation is superior, and won points for its speedy response (at 2,000 rpm) and immediate acceleration.

The Fiat Bravo is equipped with the Multiair, giving it almost a sports style. The motor is quiet and is also happy to run at higher revs. The first Multiair engine to debut will be the 1.4 litre, 135 hp version to appear on the Alfa MiTo in September. It is reported as having an average consumption of five litres for every 100 km. By the end of 2009, other versions os 170 and 105 hp will be available.

Autobild also examined the 0.9 SGE (Small Gasoline Engine) in the turbo version, accredited with 69 hp, a fuel consumption of 3.4 litres per 100 km/hr and only 80 grams of CO2 emissions every 1000 km. It will debut in 2012.

Source | Autobild

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The Peugeot 4007 - the SUV from the Lion’s Lair developed jointly with Mitsubishi - will receive a mid-career restyling before the end of the year. The updated 4007 could be unveiled in September, on the occasion of the next Frankfurt Auto Show. At the same time, at the German festival the restyled Citroen C-Crosser could be presented, which, like the 4007, was also born from the Mitsubishi Outlander. The biggest change in the two French SUVs will be the adoption of the new 3.0-liter V6 HDi engine with 240 hp which just made its debut under the hoods of the Citroen C5 and the C6.

From | Autonews.fr

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Here is a spy video of the much anticipated Alfa Romeo Milano. The video was taken as the new Alfa hatchback undergoes testing at the Nurburgring. After many spy shots of the Alfa Milano, the video gives more of an idea as to the size and shape of the car, larger than the current 147 that it is replacing.

Of note is also the engine noise: a nice rumble. The Alfa Milano will feature some new engines, including the 1.4 litre MultiAir and, most likely, a 2.0 litre MultiJet twin turbo at 220 hp.

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Lamborghini has confirmed yesterday’s rumour that it will produce a limited edition, rear wheel drive LP 550-2. The special edition is limited to Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni, who has worked at the company since 1967.

While now officially retired, Balboni is still a Lamborghini brand ambassador, and has driven every prototype of the company since 1973. The LP 550-2 will feature a V10 engine at 550 hp, and as the number ‘2′ suggests, rear wheel drive.

It will be the only Lamborghini in the line-up that drives solely on rear wheels. The LP 550-2 reaches 100 km/hr in 3.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 320 km/hr. With only 250 units being produced, in Europe it will cost about 162,000 euros, while in the US it will be about 219,800 USD. In the UK the pricing is set at 137,900 pounds, all figures without tax. For full details of the LP 550-2 from the press release, see after the jump.

Continue reading: Lamborghini confirms rear drive LP 550-2 in honour of Valentino Balboni

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BMW has released its pricing details for the 5 Series GT for the various European markets, and in Italy the base price will be 58,000 euros. That figure refers to the 530d GT Eletta, equipped with a 3.0 litre diesel common rail at 245 hp and 540 Nm. In total five versions are available of the Eletta and Attiva models.

In addition to the 530d model, the 5-Series Gran Turismo will be offered in the 535i and 550i variations. For the 3.0 litre twin turbo petrol units at 306 hp and 400 Nm, prices start at 58,500 euros. The top-of-the-range 550i Attiva version with the 4.4-litre V8 Twin Turbo at 407 hp and 600 Nm will sell for 85,400 euros. The list of optionals is, as usual, very long.

Continue reading: BMW 5-Series GT European pricing

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