BMW will continue to offer SIRIUS as a factory option with a one-year bundled subscription
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - November 10, 2008… BMW has extended its relationship with SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) through September of 2011.

“Satellite radio’s exceptional content fits well with BMW, delivering a premium mobility experience to our owners. More and more BMW owners are choosing to equip their vehicles with SIRIUS and we are pleased to continue making it available to current and future BMW owners,” said Jack Pitney, Vice-President of Marketing for BMW of North America.

“BMW provides their customers with a superb driving experience and our commercial-free music and great sports, talk and news programming affords BMW owners the best in-vehicle entertainment anywhere,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. “We are very pleased to continue to extend our partnership with BMW.”

SIRIUS satellite radio is available as an option on all BMW vehicles with a one-year bundled subscription included in the price of the vehicle. For more information on SIRIUS, please visit www.sirius.com.

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Audi R8 LMS customer version of the GT3 race car, is set to go on sale early next year

Audi’s motorsport division announced plans back in August to launch a 500hp-plus (373kW) version of the R8 for use in next year’s GT3 series, and today the car made its debut at the Essen Motor Show in Germany.

The new car has been designed for private customer teams and fully conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations, which means they will be allowable in numerous national and international competitions.

Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of AWD, the Audi R8 comes with a modified RWD powertrain and a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension is almost completely stock, with most of the modifications focusing on weight reduction and improving the car’s aerodynamics package. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.

The R8 race car, which bears the project name ‘R16’ within Audi’s motorsport division, has already conducted a number of shakedown tests at the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela. The latest prototype was also being tested by German tuning firm ABT Sportsline, and Audi has confirmed that three additional cars will be built for the actual Le Mans race, and as many as eight private team cars could also be built if interest is high enough. Audi Motorsport itself does not plan to campaign the car however, reports Sweden’s Auto Motor & Sport.

The new R8 race car is joined in Essen by other members of the Audi motorsport family, including this year’s winning Le Mans car, the Audi R10 TDI driven by Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, and the Audi A4 DTM in which Timo Scheider clinched the championship title just a few weeks ago.

[Source: MotorAuthority, by Kenneth Hall]

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TechArt added looks to the tune of side carbon flics, headlight trims, sill panels, a rear spoiler, rear apron, aero bonnet and front bumper with carbon fiber splitter. Running gear figures read as thus: TECHART Formula III forged light metal wheels, one-piece front 8.5Jx20 with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Plus tyres in dimensions 245/30 ZR 20, back 12Jx20 with 315/25 R 20.

GTstreet R from TechArt is waiting for public viewing at the Essen Motor Show so you can get up close and personal with the beast.

[Source: Worldcarfans.com by Thami Masemola]

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Green Car Journal has awarded the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI its 2009 Green Car of the Year award. The turbo diesel-powered Jetta took the honors after beating five other vehicles included in the best-of-the-best 2009 green vehicles. These were BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and smart fortwo.

“The Volkswagen Jetta TDI rose to the top as Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year® for some very important reasons,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years. The highly fuel efficient, 50 State emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling, and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.”

Jetta TDI has already sold over 8,000 units since it was launched in the US in mid-August 2008. It has achieved great things since launch, one of which was setting the Guinness World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption after averaging 58.82 mpg while traveling through the 48 continuous US States. An independent, real-world test study with the Jetta TDI conducted by leading third-party certifier AMCI, returned 38 mpg in city and 44 mpg under highway driving conditions.

[Source: Worldcarfans.com]

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The much anticipated new 2009 BMW 7 Series has finally arrived to North America in the 2008 L.A. Auto Show.

The 2009 BMW 7 Series goes on sale in the Spring of 2009. With new body and interior style this car might gives the Mercedes S Class a run of its money. The 7 series will include an improved version of their infamous iDrive. A few new innovations worth mentioning which includes a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that puts out 400 horsepower, and an infra-red camera that can detect pedestrians and alert the driver. However, we feel that the new 7 series looks uglier than its predecessor. With its extra large nose grille and conservative styling we feel that it will not do as well as the S Class.

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It seems that the theme for this year L.A. Auto show is Green cars. With about 15 different green cars introduced in this year show. Different manufacturer approach it differently, from Audi’s and Mercedes’ diesel engines, MINI’s and Mitshubishi’s full electric car to Lexus’ and Toyota’s Hybrids.

However for us, one car green car stands up the most, That is the new MINI E. This is the first MINI all-electric car. With 0-60 mph times in the 8.5-second range, a top speed of 95 mph and a range of 156 miles on a charge, the Mini E offers up realistic driving range and performance. Finally there is a green car that is fun and exciting, compare to the boring looking Prius. Next year, 500 lucky customers divided between Los Angeles and New York will be able test them out.

Other respectable contenderfor best green car include the Mistshubishi MIEV. Which can runs for

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After looking at pictures in both internet and magazine, I thought this would be an ugly looking Ferrari. But when I saw the California Spyder arrive at its home town, I was impressed. It is slightly smaller than its more expensive front engine big brother 599 but yet it still can be an everyday Ferrari. With a large trunk space and small +2 seats at the back for your dog/kids, this is a Ferrari worth buying for. This would be the perfect Ferrari to buy in this current bad economy and high gas price. It is equipped will all the necessary gadgets to be a Ferrari - V8 engines which produce 460bhp and with a 7 speed paddle “F1 inspired” shifters.

There were two Califronias in the L.A. Auto show, one blue and one red. I’ll definitely pick the red one! Nice job Ferrari!

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The new Porsche Boxter & Cayman will be the hottes sales for next year. Expected to be on sale 1st quarter of 2009. What a new touch up and innovation for porsche.

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