New Car; 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

The most treasured model in Porsche's history, the Spyder, is about to take to the road again! The German company has announced the release of a new lightweight, driver-focused version of the mid-engined Boxster, known as the Boxster Spyder.

Inspired by the 1954 550 Spyder, which stood only three-feet high and weighed a slender 550kg, the Boxster Spyder sports a new, low-slung silhouette with a lightweight, low-lying soft-top and windows.

Completing the look is a pair of humps which extend across the boot-lid to the rear spoiler and transform the normally awkward looking Boxster into something that more closely resembles the Carrera GT supercar.

Due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December, the new car weighs in at just 1,275kg, which is 80kg less than the Boxster S and enough to make it the lightest Porsche on sale today.

Under the bonnet, the Spyder uses Porsche's tried and tested 3.4-litre 'boxer' engine, newly tweaked to put out 320bhp. The uprated engine can be paired with a standard six-speed manual gearbox or the PDK twin-clutch system, which has now done away with its counter-intuitive steering wheel mounted controls in favour of a pair of paddle-shifters.

Porsche claims that a Spyder, fitted with the optional PDK gearbox and Sports Chrono Pack will sprint to 60mph in a blistering 4.8 seconds, that's almost a second quicker than a PDK equipped Boxster S. Top speed is more familiar, with the Spyder's top speed of 166mph only 3mph more than the S.

Renowned for its responsive handling and excellent brakes, the original Boxster package is hard to improve, but that hasn't stopped the Porsche engineers from trying. A lower centre of gravity coupled with a slightly revised suspension set-up allows the Spyder to be even more agile than its predecessor.

However, the new Porsche isn't just about torque and tyresmoke; consumption figures of 30.4mpg, again with the optional PDK gearbox, should help cut down time spent at the pumps and should also save around £200 a year in road tax over the standard Boxster S.

The new Spyder will go on sale in February 2010. Priced at £44,643 the Spyder is almost identically priced to Audi'd TT RS Roadster and undercuts the SLK 55 AMG by £5,000.

Included in the price is a chance for customers to test the limits of their new Spyder, by taking to the track at Silverstone with a special Porsche-run driving experience. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Chrysler's Plan Revealed

Today is a big day for armchair automotive product planners as Chrysler has released its five-year plan projecting what is to come from the company through 2014.

What we've got here for you is the 15-slide product plan, describing everything from how quickly Chrysler expects the U.S. auto industry to recover to what vehicles will be refreshed or completely redesigned in the coming years.

In case you haven't yet heard, part of the plans show the Viper going out of production in 2010 but being replaced by another high-end vehicle in 2012. Personally, we're curious to see what Chrysler is creating for its 70th anniversary models, a celebration which will apparently spread across multiple nameplates.

Elsewhere in the plans, we learn that Chrysler predicts its marketshare will climb from about 6% this year to nearly 11% by 2014. Judging by the graphs on the tenth slide, that's still not taking the same slice of the U.S. market pie Chrysler had in 2007.

Chrysler's renewal includes a shift in the breakdown of the ratio among diesel, four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and eight-cylinder engines. Six-cylinder engines, Chrysler thinks, will comprise 54% of worldwide volume in 2010 but only 37% in 2014. Eight-cylinder engines are project to go from 18% in 2010 to 11% in 2014.

There's plenty more in these slides and we encourage you to check them out before posting your critique of Chrysler's future plans in the comments section below.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2012 BMW 3-Series

There's no sedan quite like the BMW 3-series. Yes, it needs to shed some pounds and its styling is certainly debatable. But it drives with such precision and offers such delicate feedback that we still regard it as the benchmark in its segment. For 2012, BMW faces the difficult task of replacing the current car with a completely new, sixth-generation model.

Captured by our spy photographers in Munich, Germany, this four-door is internally called the F30. There's a lot to come: The next-generation 3 will again be offered in number of body styles, including a wagon, coupe, and cabriolet, which—contrary to what we've hoped for—will keep the heavy and complex retractable hardtop. BMW will also offer a five-door hatchback dubbed the "Gran Turismo" which apes the concept of the 5-series GT but will be more carlike and less imposing on the road.

BMW's excellent diesel-engine lineup will largely carry over in Europe, but there are imminent changes for its current range of rewarding but thirsty gasoline engines. Variable valve timing, single- and twin-turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and stop/start systems are in the works for a new generation of modular, four-cylinder engines producing 140 to 230 hp. A 2.0-liter version with close to 300 hp is possible, but we are optimistic BMW will keep at least one of its 3.0-liter inline-sixes in the portfolio. That six is still the stuff of legend, and we'd be sorry to see it go in favor of a force-fed four.

The M3 will remain the ultimate 3, but it is not yet clear whether it will keep its naturally aspirated V-8. A turbocharged inline-six is a distinct possibility. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will remain an option for the M3, while the six-speed manual will be standard, as it is on most other 3-series models except the most powerful diesels. But unlike the M3, those other versions will be available with an optional ZF eight-speed automatic in place of the current six-speed unit. Interestingly, BMW is mulling the launch of a high-efficiency, three-cylinder version of the 3-series, which will share its engine architecture with the next-generation Mini and will likely be hybridized, too.

The 3-series will be equipped with a full bag of electro-nanny systems, such as lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and speed-limit recognition. BMW's night-vision system is technically possible but unlikely to be offered in the 3. However, you will be able to tinker with the engine and chassis setup by means of a "driving dynamics" button.

The styling of the next 3 will be a rather conservative evolution of the current model, with a protruding kidney grill similar to that of the 7-series and the 5-series GT. The interior will look decidedly richer and will lose the center hump that houses the current model's optional navigation system.

Look for the next 3-series at the 2012 Geneva auto show. It should arrive at U.S. dealers later in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's Fashion Style on Harper's Bazaar

Just a few minutes ago, I posted the photos of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart as well as the excerpt of their interview for the December issue of Harper's Bazaar. The official site of the magazine released some of the photos during the cover shoot and I really love the gowns and dresses of Kristen Stewart.

Join me as we take a closer look at the fashion styles of Robert Pattinson Kristen Stewart for Harper's Bazaar. We can also steal their looks!


Kristen: Gown by Alexander McQueen
Rob: Jacket by Thom Browne. Shirt by Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière. Jeans from Converse by John Varvatos. Bootsby Dior Homme.


Kristen: Alexander Wang
Rob: Dior Homme


Kristen: Versace dress and Yves Saint Laurent Shoes
Rob: Dior Homme meanswear and Yves Saint Laurent Shoes


Kristen: Prada dress, Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James necklace and Cesare Paciotti pumps
Rob: Dior Homme meanswear and Yves Saint Laurent boots


Kristen: Gucci
Rob: Dior Homme

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart on Harper's Bazaar December 2009

Twilight saga stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart graces the cover of Harper's Bazaar December 2009 Issue. With the upcoming New Moon movie, the two young stars shares 11 random things about them in the said issue.

Checkout the photos from their cover shoot as well as the facts that you didn't know about your favorite Twilight couple.







Driving
Rob: "My dad's a car dealer, but I grew up in London, so I always say I don't drive…I get driven. I got a driving lesson in Oregon, and then I bought a car in L.A. and I basically learned how to drive by people honking at me. I'm terrible at driving."

Cats vs. Dogs
Kristen: "With cats, you’re like, 'Come here!' And they're standing there being like, 'F... Y...!'"

Laundry
Rob: "In London, doing the washing was a bi-annual thing, a giant mission. Me and my flatmate had BMX [bikes] and we'd have two of them and this massive laundry sack, a convoy."

Meanswear: "I think it's sexy when chicks wear black slouchy trousers -- fitted, but slouchy. I look at designer clothes on Rob and I'm like, 'I want those pants, man.'"

Read more at Harper's Bazaar site.

Hot News: GM Keeps Opel/Vauxhall

Given an improving business environment for GM over the past few months, and the importance of Opel//Vauxhall to GM's global strategy, the GM Board of Directors has decided to retain Opel and will initiate a restructuring of its European operations in earnest.

"GM will soon present its restructuring plan to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration," said Fritz Henderson, president and CEO. "We understand the complexity and length of this issue has been draining for all involved. However, from the outset, our goal has been to secure the best long term solution for our customers, employee, suppliers, and dealers, which is reflected in the decision reached today. This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall's long-term future."

On a preliminary basis, the GM plan entails total restructuring expenses of about €3 billion, significantly lower than all bids submitted as part of the investor solicitation. GM will work with all European labor unions to develop a plan for meaningful contributions to Opel's restructuring. While Opel continues to outperform against its viability plan assumptions and immediate liquidity is stable, time is of the essence.

"While strained, the business environment in Europe has improved." Henderson said. "At the same time, GM's overall financial health and stability have improved significantly over the past few months, giving us confidence that the European business can be successfully restructured. We are grateful for the hard work of the German and other EU governments in navigating this difficult economic period. We're also appreciative of the effort put forward by Magna and its partners in Russia in trying to reach an equitable agreement."

Henderson added that GM also hopes to build on its already significant business in Russia and to resume work directly with GAZ to contribute to both the modernization of its operations and the joint development of the Russian vehicle market on a mutually attractive basis. More details on the next steps in the restructuring will be provided as the plans and developments warrant.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Robert Pattinson in Vanity Fair's December 2009 Issue

Twilight star Robert Pattinson will be on the cover of Vanity Fair December 2009 issue. He will also be featured in an article and some spreads of the said magazine. Checkout some of Robert Pattinson's photos from Vanity Fair. I'm sure that Twilight fans will be following his fashion styles.