Auto Extreme

Celebrating the British Touring Car Championship season (BTCC) that kicks off at Brands Hatch on Sunday 30th March, Seat UK revealed a new race-bred Leon special edition: the Leon FR550 - ‘550’ representing the total number of these models being made available. The new FR550 is based on the popular Leon FR TDI, with a raft of unique styling and equipment additions ensuring it looks every inch the track star.

Under the bonnet, and continuing the diesel theme, the ‘550’ shares the same 170 PS, turbo charged 2.0-litre TDI that powers the Leon FR TDI. Performance, therefore, is distinctly spirited.

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Volkswagen’s first-ever SUV has been restyled for the 2008 model year, returning as the Touareg 2. The updated version will enter showrooms with refreshed exterior styling, an impressive list of safety features and vehicle capabilities, and three powerful engine options. After its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, the Touareg 2 arrives at dealerships later this spring, with pricing starting at $39,320.

Now in its second generation, the Volkswagen Touareg 2 is doing its best to distance itself from the other products in the niche of mid-luxury SUVs. Volkswagen as a luxury brand? Following the questionable sales results of their Phaeton luxo-cruiser, the company returns to the fray with a stout vehicle that attempts to push away from the mid-price cruisers to go upmarket with their offerings.

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The B-Class F-CELL will be the first series vehicle with a local, zero-emission fuel-cell drive and it is set to commence production in early 2010. The compact car is powered by an optimised fuel-cell system that Mercedes-Benz first presented in 2005 in the F 600 HYGENIUS concept. While the newly designed “stack” for the fuel cell module, is roughly 40 percent smaller compared to previous generation systems, it generates 30 percent greater power, along with a 16 percent reduction in consumption compared to the A-Class F-Cell.

Mercedes has successfully completed winter testing for the upcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz B-Class with fuel-cell drive in northern Sweden.

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It was only a matter of time before we started seeing tuning propositions for Dodge’s highly anticipated Challenger Coupe the Hennessey’s 725 Hp & 190 MPH Turbocharged Dodge Challenger SRT700. Hennessey Performance, which is widely known for their Dodge Viper conversions, is offering a unique power kit for the Challenger SRT8 that will be available for a mere 25 clients in 2008. The standard 6.1-liter V8 gets a series of upgrades that include: enlarged displacement to 426 c.i. or 7.0-liters; custom 67 mm turbocharger with a front mounted air-to-air intercooler; stainless steel dual 3 in. exhaust system; high flow cylinder heads and an upgraded engine management system.

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The 2009 Nissan Maxima has been leaked and hits the web before its official debut in the 2008 New York International Motor Show. When Nissan released the teaser images of the all-new Maxima, someone dropped the curtain on the car less than 24 hours from the official unveiling that’s set to take place at the New York Auto Show tomorrow, March 19. We don’t have any details in our hands yet, but it seems to us that the 2009 Maxima’s somewhat controversial exterior design will spark many debates.

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This was announced by the Mercedes-Benz’ high-performance division, AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg that AMG is goin green at the Geneva the night before 78th international auto show opened. But he also make it clear that that going fast while burning a few less hydrocarbons is on his mind.

Nowadays, technology has the ability to both improve the specific power output of an engine while also reducing its emissions. Such is the case with direct injection and running a fuel-cell or biodiesel-fueled four-banger. This is why the high-performance tuning arm of Mercedes Benz, AMG, has decided to implement it on their line of engines. Another possible performance-generating and emissions-reducing technology lies with the electric motor, which makes up half of a hybrid drivetrain. While the idea of an AMG hybrid may sound odd at first, remember that electric motors can offer up large quantities of torque just off idle, allowing engineers to make a free-breathing, high-RPM engine without sacrificing around-town drivability.

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The Aston Martin DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Combining Aston Martin’s unique character with an uncompromising design philosophy, the DB9 was borne out of a synthesis of traditional craftsmanship, high-tech manufacturing, modern components and use of the finest materials.

The DB9 is both a full-blooded sports car and a hugely capable grand tourer. Whether in Coupe or Volante form, it offers a supreme combination of driver involvement, character, luxury and refinement.

Aston Martin showed off an updated DB9 coupe and convertible today, with the changes consisting of detail appearance items and a faster car thanks to more muscle and a faster transmission and revised suspension. The 6.0 liter V12 in either car now makes 470 horsepower, up by 20 over last year’s model, with torque remaining unchanged, at 420 lb-ft.

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Chrysler exhibited the all-new Dodge roadster concept, called the Demon, at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The vehicle is designed to compete with the popular Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, as well as the Mazda MX-5.

Power comes from a 172 horsepower 2.4 liter engine, offering peak torque of 165 pound-feet. A six-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels. Weight is estimated a 2600 pounds. Dodge officials say an SRT version could also be offered with a 300 horsepower four-cylinder from the Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

The Dodge Demon is a concept car that forecasts a possible low-priced two-seat convertible to compete with the Pontiac Solstice, Mazda MX-5 and other four-cylinder roadsters. Dodge does a devilish little sports-car concept that could reach showrooms in 2009, and the latest word from Chrysler is that the production version will be front drive. The 2010 Dodge Demon could turn out to be the new star of affordable sports cars, but it could just as easily be a pale imitation of what’s already out there. The 2010 Dodge Demon revives a name Dodge used on a compact car in the 1970s. The 2010 Dodge Demon is based on a front-drive platform that will be sourced from Chinese automaker Chery.

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Here are the Black and Silver concept Land Rover LRX photos. This Black and Silver LRX is mouch more hotter and beautiful than the white LRX. The rakish shape now features a silver roof fitted with side rails and a removable carbon-composite panel. This beautifully contrasts the black primary finish, and aluminum-accented details do their part to further dress up the exterior. As a subtle reminder to onlookers that this is still a Land Rover despite its elegance, matte-finished protective trim adorns the side sills and wheel flares. Furthermore, carbon-composite skidplates supply underbody protection.

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BMW has kicked off a top-secret project to add yet another member to its family of X-badged crossover SUVs. In addition to the X5, the just-freshened X3 (below right), and a two-door X6 due in 2008, work has begun on the pint-size X1, planned for 2010.

BMW fields its first baby SUV with a spinoff of its new 1-Series compact car. With smooth six-cylinder power, standard all-wheel drive and “ultimate driving machine” cachet, it could be the new star of a fast-growing market class.

The compact SUV market might seem an unlikely place for a premium German marque, but BMW won’t be alone. Audi will be there with the Volkswagen Tiguan-derived Q3, as will Mercedes-Benz with its GLK.

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