Alonso are getting closer!! Viva Tifosi...

Mark Webber extended his championship lead to 11 points on Sunday night, despite finishing on the lowest step of the podium and colliding with Lewis Hamilton during a long and hot Singapore grand prix.

The Australian finished behind pole sitter and winner Fernando Alonso, as well as his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.

At the chequered flag just before the 2 hour time limit was up, Ferrari's Spaniard and German Vettel were separated by just 3 tenths of a second.

But Vettel's points gap to Webber, who was a further half minute behind the leading battle at the finish, is still more than 20 points.

Webber's closest challenger is now Alonso, who has won the last two races from pole position in the resurgent Ferrari.

He leapfrogs Hamilton in the drivers' standings, after the Briton retired for the second race in a row due to a collision.

One conclusion is very clear after driving the 2011 Kia Optima: Kia has Honda and Toyota in its sights, and it won’t be denied. The first two generations of the Kia Optima barely created a ripple in the water in a market segment that is among the biggest in the country, but the 2011 Kia Optima is primed to change all that.

Even compared with excellent cars like the Honda Accord, the Optima shines. With styling that bears an unmistakable Audi influence and a feature list that steals the thunder from luxury sedans, the Optima will quickly jump onto many consumer consideration lists. Buyers in this segment like stuff, and the new Optima will offer niceties: heated steering wheel and rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a glove box with a cooling function.

Previously, Korean cars left two big question marks: reliability and looks. The Optima addresses both. Kia Motors has pulled up its product quality and created a good-looking sedan with an equally good-looking and easy-to-use interior. The midsize-sedan buyer is more concerned about quiet and comfort than about sports-car-like handling, and Kia engineers tuned the Optima’s suspension with that in mind. The car’s standard 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine exhibits a throaty roar on to-the-floor acceleration, but otherwise it’s as docile as a sleepy puppy. We expect a little more growl from the 2.0-liter turbocharged version of the engine that delivers 274 horsepower when it becomes available later in the year, but this is a midstream car smack in the middle of a midstream market. The 2011 Kia Optima will likely be more than just a hit in the marketplace; we think it will change the way people think about the Kia brand.

source :

Today's News by Jack Nerad for Driving Today

The new 2011 Audi A8 revealed

Audi has unveiled the all-new fourth generation A8 full-size luxury sedan this evening in Miami. At a glance the A8 and its aluminum body structure features an updated MMI operating system with hand writing recognition touch pad, new driver assistance systems, full LED headlights and new technologies such as night vision assist with marking of detected pedestrians and Audi pre sense safety system.

The A8's core competitors include the Mercedes-Benz S Class and BMW 7 Series with the Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ described as secondary competitors. The 2011 A8 weighs about the same as the outgoing model despite being 3 inches longer, 2 inches wider and has more standard equipment (8-speed auto transmission, pre sense basic, keyless go, power trunk, etc.) versus competitors: ~50lbs less than S Class RWD, and more than 200lbs (90.7kg) less than S Class AWD; more than 200lbs less than 7 Series RWD and more than 400lbs (181.4kg) less than 7 Series AWD.

“The new Audi A8 is the sportiest sedan in its segment,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “It combines numerous functions in a new and intelligent way. And it’s unmatched in the stylistic elements and impression of the interior.”

source : worldcarfans.com

Perodua Alza launched!

Here it is – the new Perodua Alza! We’ve been following the development of this MPV ever since we first got news of its existence back in early 2008, where it was reported that Toyota and Daihatsu were going to build a new MPV and produce it in Indonesia. When the Daihatsu Luxio MPV came out we all got a shock – that more of a van so we waited patiently until Christmas last year when the Toyota Passo Sette was finally unveiled in Japan. Nearly a year later, the Perodua-badged model with a new front, rear and interior is here. Read the full details after the jump.

Alot of people that are casually (not urgent) in the market for an MPV will have probably been waiting for the D46T project to be launched for a long time now. After all, the majority of the country can only afford either a Proton or a Perodua, and you really have to wonder why it took them so long to serve this market niche when all of its competitors have been priced out of affordability.

As for the name Alza, it actually means ‘to rise’ in Spanish. Probably symbolises Perodua rising up the product segments once again – its cars are getting bigger and bigger.

source: paultan.org

Perodua Alza 1.5L Standard M/T Solid – RM55,490 Metallic – RM55,990 S. Metallic – RM56,190	Perodua Alza 1.5L Standard A/T Solid – RM58,490 Metallic – RM58,990 S. Metallic – RM59,190
Perodua Alza 1.5L Premium M/T Solid – RM60,490 Metallic – RM60,990 S. Metallic – RM61,190	Perodua Alza 1.5L Premium A/T Solid – RM63,490 Metallic – RM63,990 S. Metallic – RM64,190

Perodua MPV to be launch on Nov 23rd

Perodua held a media test drive for the new Perodua D46T MPV this morning somewhere in Putrajaya. I’ve tried it out and will share my findings with you after the MPV’s launch (due to embargo reasons), which is expected to be on the 23rd of November 2009. Showrooms will officially start taking bookings earlier, from the 13th of November 2009 onwards.

Lexus LF-A Caught Undisguised in Black

These new spy photos feature yet another version of the Lexus LF-A. Now in Matte Black, we can see even more details on the car compared to the barely-camouflaged white model spied last week.

Taken on the Nurburgring, the black model shows very sharp contours at the front, almost making the vehicle look like it was already attacked by a tuner firm. Some black tape is still used to mask details around the lighting, but the three-sectioned grille, front spoiler, hood vents, and new mirrors are perfectly visible.

Steep side sills lead to air intakes, which merge well with the rear wheel wells. The back end's rear fascia is mostly complete, and shaped in a way that perfectly uses tri-exhaust pipes. A rear diffuser looks to incorporate those pipes. Also at the back, we get our clearest view of the rear LED lights, although still partially covered.

Expected to use a 600-horsepower 4.8-liter V10 engine, the Lexus LF-A should be one of the hottest debuts at next month's Tokyo Motor Show.

Bugatti 16 C Galibier Concept Revealed

The all-new Bugatti 16 C Galibier Concept car is not for Frankfurt consumption. Sorry. But it will be officially revealed at an exclusive event in the next few hours. Good news is that we have some details on what Bugatti CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen describes as "most exclusive, elegant and most powerful sedan in the world."

Power comes from the works 8-litre 16-cylinder motor with two-stage supercharging. It can churn out between 588kW (800hp) and 735kW (1,000hp), all of which is channeled to all four wheels using the AWD system. Standard fuel is petrol but ethanol can be used as an alternative. To stop it running away from the driver is a set of powerful carbon ceramic bThe interior is characterised by the flowing surfboard-shaped dashboard made of fine wood and leather. The centre console features a large LCD screen while the speedometer has been deliberately placed in the middle of the dash so rear passengers can see just how fast they are moving. A very stylish feature is the Parmigiani removable Reverso Tourbillon Swiss clock which can be worn on the wrist through its cleverly-designed leather strap.rakes.

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Official Details

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing will make use of a lightweight design and front mid-engine to propel itself to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, it can be revealed. The car will feature an AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine located front-mid, and will generate 571 horsepower and up to 650 Nm of torque. Using a dry sump design, the engine pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the driver to reach a top speed of 317 km/h. The upside of the power translates to a downside in fuel economy: the engine gulps down 13.2 liters for every 100km travelled.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C Officially Revealed

McLaren has officially unveiled the highly anticipated 2011 MP4-12C.

Set to become the first "modern" McLaren, the car features dynamic styling that was purposely designed to be timeless and relevant for years to come. While the end result looks kind of generic from certain angles, McLaren points out that virtually every aspect was designed to be fully functional. Obviously the car features a little McLaren magic, but that's mostly limited to the F1-inspired dihedral doors and air scoops that resemble the McLaren logo. Out back, the car features LED taillights and unique center-mounted dual exhaust tips.

Power comes from a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces around 600 bhp and 600 Nm of torque. Thanks to a dry sump and a flat plane crankshaft, the engine can be placed extremely low in the chassis for a low center of gravity and improved handling. Backed up by a seven-speed "Seamless Shift" dual clutch gearbox (with normal, sport and high performance modes), the MP4-12C promises to deliver "new standards for power and performance in its sector."

Hyundai-Kia passes Ford as world's 4th largest automaker

A decade ago no one, certainly not anyone outside of Hyundai, would have dreamt that the South Korean car manufacturer would one day sell more vehicles than Ford. Well it has happened. Hyundai-Kia is now the fourth largest automaker in the world in sales after Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen respectively.

This is a one-step-up-shift from the company's fifth position in 2008. The numbers come from the Automotive News Data Centre which states that during the first half of 2009 Hyundai-Kia sold 2,153,000 vehicles compared to Ford's 2,145,000. It is a rise of about 30% over the US brand. Hyundai-Kia's biggest single market is the US. The top ten companies have all lost sales so far this year, most by two-digit percentages. Volkswagen was the only one to lose by single digits as it shed 5.1% sales over H1 2008. The biggest losers were Ford and Toyota both of which saw sales decline 30.6% and 26% respectively.

Interestingly the Nissan and Renault alliance reported its numbers separately but had it combined them in the same way as Hyundai and Kia a total of over 2.6 million would appear. Such a figure would be enough to place Nissan-Renault in fourth position.

Infiniti M performance luxury sedan teaser released

Nissan's premium division Infiniti will be unveiling its next generation M saloon at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance later this month. This will be the third iteration of the M but the first slated to make it to European dealerships, placed above the G37 in the product lineup.

The M saloon hybrid comes with a 3.7 liter V6 petrol/gasoline engine coupled to a compact electric motor juiced by lithium-ion batteries. Infiniti has aleady put that technology on display in Europe at the Geneva motor show back in March.

Selling a luxury hybrid in Europe poses several problems for premium automakers, who are also offering ever-increasingly efficient diesels in their models. The problem becomes which to promote, the diesel or the hybrid, in a way that one doesn't completely eclipse the other.

2010 Saab 9-5

Ferrari 458 Italia Revealed

Ferrari has officially taken the wraps off their highly anticipated F430 replacement, the 458 Italia.

Described as a "massive leap forward" and a "genuine departure from the current range", Ferrari considers the new supercar to be "a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology."

Boasting a futuristic Pininfarina design, the 458 Italia has a compact aerodynamic shape which helps to reduce drag and improve downforce (which is 140 kg at 200km/h). The front end features a bold grille which houses small aero-elastic winglets "which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag." Elsewhere, the car features small openings between the hood and headlights for added engine cooling. Out back, the 458 has aggressive rear end which houses a massive diffuser, California-style taillights, and three center-mounted exhaust tips.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition

Chevy used the Comic-Con festival in San Diego to launch their new limited edition Transformers Camaro.

The special edition features "Autobot" logos on the front quarter panels, wheel caps, and center console. Other design touches include a Rally Yellow exterior, branded sill plates, and a Transformers logo embedded in the black rally stripes on the hood.

According to Samantha Lomow, Global Brand Leader for Transformers at Hasbro, "Hasbro is thrilled to team up with Chevrolet and excited to see the Camaro Transformers Special Edition come to market for our fans to enjoy. The yellow Camaro with the black stripes has become so iconic and closely associated with the Bumblebee character that this edition was a natural fit for both companies."

Priced from $995, the Transformers package is available on all Chevrolet Camaros.

Bugatti Bordeaux second teaser image surfaces

A second teaser image of Bugatti's upcoming Bordeaux super sedan has surfaced.

Like the first teaser, that we brought you earlier this week, the new picture shows the rear end of Bugatti's highly anticipated sedan. While we can't make out a lot of details, it is clear the Bordeaux features a distinctive design thanks to two horizontal horseshoe taillights and a large vertical center taillight which suggests the car may have a split rear window. Below the unique lighting display, we can see twin sets of quad tailpipes.

Audi A5 Sportback officially revealed in depth

Audi officially went public with the new Audi A5 Sportback today following months of leaks, teasers, photo shoots, and spy shots. We have seen undisguised photos of the A5 Sportback before, but never this many, and never so high quality. The vehicle features a smooth design that makes the car look much less like a wagon than the A3 Sportback, while sitting 36mm lower than the A4 sedan. Frameless doors definitely add to the car's clean look. The nicely-angled side windows, ringed in chrome, show off a sporty look with a flowing roofline. Inside, customers can create either a monotone or contrasting look. Four individual seats are surrounded with a comfortable amount of space no matter how big the passenger.

At 480 liters, Audi also provided nearly the same amount of cargo space as the A4 Avant. Under the hood, we were hoping for at least one higher-powered engine. Three petrol engines include 180 and 211 horsepower variants of the 2.0-liter TFSI unit, and a 3.2-liter V6 model providing 265 horsepower. If it is diesel you prefer, you can choose the incredibly efficient 2.0-liter TDI. The 170 hp unit uses just 5.2 liters of fuel per 100 km, or rougly 45+ mpg. A start/stop system helps increase fuel efficiency. The other TDI engines are a 190 hp 2.7-liter unit and a 3.0-liter, 240 horsepower model. The 2.0 TFSI quattro, the 3.2 FSI quattro and the 3.0 TDI quattro models are available with the seven-speed S-tronic gearbox.

Footballer Ronaldo liquidating his car collection - after accepting £80 million bid from Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo cars

24-year-old soccer football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has put his luxury car collection up for sale after accepting an £80 million ($128,467,650 USD / €92,294,100) offer to play for Real Madrid.

The vehicles up for sale include a Bentley Continental GT Speed(£114,950), a Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Tiptronic S (£69,995), and a Mercedes C220 CDI (£10,795). As one source put it, "Cristiano is keen to sell his cars because they are right-hand drive. He will just go out and replace them."

He certainly knows how to replace vehicles, in the past few years Cristiano has owned a Porsche Cayenne, a Bentley Continental GTC, a Ferrari 599 GTB (which he crashed), and an Audi R8.

All three vehicles are being sold by a local Manchester dealer which has listed them on Auto Trader.

Ferrari F450 full body prototype spied for first time

These are the very first spy pictures of the upcoming Ferrari F450 prototype testing on the road and track. The F450 replaces the current F430. Previously spies have only been able to snap test mules using an F430 body but this time it is the car itself hiding underneath all the black garments.

Some of the first details to catch the eye are the LED daytime running lights which appear to be flowing upwards into the fenders as headlight extensions. They will prove to be a provocative talking point if they make it into production.

source : worldcarfans.com

Daimler in Talks to Buy Stake in Porsche, VW

Daimler is reportedly negotiating to purchase either a percentage of Porsche, or Volkswagen, from Porsche Automobil Holding SE, according to German website manager-magazin.de. The news outlet says Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Porsche chief Wendelin Wiedeking have been in talks since last May.

After Porsche purchased 51% of VW's common shares, they attempted a complete takeover of Europe's largest automaker. Porsche has about €9 billion in debt tied to the deal, leading to a limited supply of liquid cash needed to keep operations running.

Official: FOTA Announce Breakaway Series for 2010

In the dead of Thursday night in England, the eight FOTA teams decided to issue a statement announcing that a breakaway world championship will be formed.

The announcement came on the eve of the FIA's Friday deadline for making unconditional entries for the official formula one series, and amid the sides' deadlocked negotiations about income, governance and rules.

"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA," the statement read. "The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored.

"Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006."

The statement was issued on behalf of BMW, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota and the two Red Bull teams.

"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners," said the formula one teams association.