Amphibious lamborghini takes to the high seas

At first glance, I thought this seafaring sports car was the underwater Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me. Much to my amazement, it’s a real amphibious Lamborghini Countach built by Mike Ryan of SeaRoader.

World's first luxury amphibious motorcoach/yacht

Touted as the world's first luxury amphibious motorcoach/yacht, the C.A.M.I.L.C Terra Wind boasts revolutionary design and luxury features.

At a standard length of 42’6”, the Terra Wind RV is built with fiberglass reinforced plywood with a foam core, while the hull is constructed from 3/16" marine grade 5052 plate with 6061 grade structural members. Powered by a Caterpillar 3126E turbocharged engine, this C.A.M.I.L.C amphibious motorcoach also has two 19" bronze propellers with stainless rudders. The Terra Wind comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect to find in a luxury RV, with features including a 42" plasma TV, an In Motion satellite with Direct TV, a trash compactor and a combination washer/dryer. Prices from the $850,000's. C.A.M.I.L.C.

Now, Russian Lada looks very sporty

LADA-C is conceptual design on the basis of the new platform, which is developing in cooperation with Magna International Inc. and will become the base for the whole range of new LADA models. This class-C family will include sedan, hatchback, universal, compact van and cross-over with engines 1.6 – 2.0l.

In September 2006 at Moscow International motor-show for the first time LADA presented the new family sedan, its name was Concept C, and today in Geneva there is a debut of 3-doors hatchback with a typically sports character.




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Adwitya Amandio Bela Merah Putih

Drifter muda tanah air Adwitya Amandio mengatakan siap bertarung dengan drifter terbaik Asia Pasifik lainnya di kejuaraan Formula Drift Pro-Am Series (FDPAS) 2009, 6-8 November 2009, di Thailand.

"Saya bangga untuk turut serta dalam ajang drifting internasional. Meski tidak mengejar target menjadi juara, saya akan bertanding semaksimal mungkin," ujar Adwitya Amandio, yang biasa disapa Dio ini dalam konferensi pers Achilles Drift Indonesia (ADI), hari Selasa (27/10), di Jakarta.

Dio yang menjadi andalan tim Achilles Drift Indonesia (ADI) akan didampingi oleh pereli nasional Rifat Sungkar yang akan bertugas sebagai adviser untuk menyiapkan strategi di Thailand pekan depan.

PT Multistrada Arah Sarana (MAS) selaku produsen ban Achilles mengungkapkan bahwa Dio sebagai drifter yang dipercaya untuk membela merah putih dinilai memiliki pengalaman yang cukup baik di event drifting nasional.

"Kami terus berkomitmen untuk memajukan dunia otomotif Indonesia, khususnya dengan bekerjasama dan memberikan support kami kepada para pembalap dan drifter nasinoal yang memiliki potensi untuk berprestasi pada skala internasional," ujar Presiden Direktur PT MAS Pieter Tanuri.

Indonesia yang baru pertama kali mengikuti kejuaraan FDPAS akan bertanding menghadapi drifter-drifter terbaik Asia Pasifik, seperti dari Thailand, Malaysia, Filipina, Jepang, Hong Kong, Singapura, dan Selandia Baru.

Dio yang masih berusia 17 thaun ini akan menggunakan mobil Nissan Cefiro yang dilengkapi dengan ban Achilles ATR Sport berukuran 18 inci.

Dio pernah menjuarai Kejurnas Rally kelas GR2 tahun 2008 dan berhasil menjadi juara kedua Achilles Drift Battle bulan Juli lalu di Jakarta.

Sultan Bin Tahnoun opens Saadiyat Art Cars Expo

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC), inaugurated yesterday the Art Cars exhibition held in the grounds of Manarat Al Saadiyat, the new 15,400 square metre dedicated artistic venue on Saadiyat Island - the cultural and tourism destination lying 500 metres offshore the UAE capital.

Running until 30th November, Art Cars is open daily from 10am until 8pm and features an intriguing mix of European and American classic cars which have been given 'pop art' makeovers by local and international artists and a line-up of vintage models which trace the motoring development of Abu Dhabi through the 50s, 60s and 70s.

"Art Cars is a very timely initiative coming as it does in the run up to this weekend's 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix," said Sheikh Sultan.

"It is part of the visitor enhancement programme undertaken by ADTA and when viewed alongside the Grand Prix demonstrates this emirate's love of all things automobile while serving to track the emirate's motoring history from the 1950s until the present day.

"Some of the vehicles have been kindly loaned to the exhibition by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's Rulers Representative in the Eastern Region and several of them were personally used by the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan during his many tours of the emirate's Eastern region.

"This remarkable fleet includes some iconic models which, combined, present a snapshot of motoring history and evolution." Visitors to the free-to-attend exhibition will see cars transformed into works of art by a gallery of local and visiting artists from France, China and Singapore. All designs have been inspired by the visual, mass pop art movement of the 50s and 60s, made famous by US artist Andy Warhol.

Manarat Al Saadiyat can be reached via the new Saadiyat Bridge accessible from Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed area, where visitors will follow a beautifully landscaped route to the centre. From Dubai, visitors can reach Manarat Al Saadiyat by taking the new Yas Island highway and following the road through to Saadiyat.

The fabulous fleet line-up of motoring masterpieces includes Cadillac LaSalle 1939, Ford T 1920, Chevrolet Independence 1931, BMW Z8 2000 , Mercedes 250SL 1968, Ford F-Series 1950, Chevrolet Bel Air 1956, MINI Cooper 1996, Aston Martin DBS 2009, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1976 and Chevrolet Impala 1959.

The exhibition artists include Abdul Qader Al Rais - UAE, Jalal Luqman - UAE, Li Jikai - China, Maisoon Al Saleh - UAE, Mohammed Al Mubarak - UAE, Noora Al Suwaidi - UAE, Vincent Leow- Singapore and Wasel Safwan - UAE.

Iran Offers Opportunity For Malaysian Automotive Part Suppliers

A Malaysian marketing mission on automotive-related products and services to Tehran secured RM10.3 million worth of orders from Iranian auto parts importers and car manufacturers recently.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade)-led delegation that took part in the Oct 5-7 mission comprised eight Malaysian companies.

They manufacture items like plastic parts components, alloy wheels, gasket, automotive accessories, auto lights system and others.

They held a business meeting with two leading car manufacturers Iran Khodro and Saipa, as well as Iranian auto parts vendors.

"The mission organised by Matrade was timely since the two car manufacturers would like to begin technical collaborations with Malaysian companies to supply the Iranian market," said Dubai-based Matrade senior trade commissioner Dzulkifli Mahmud.

Such link-ups, he said, would enable Malaysian companies to leverage their expertise, for example, in designing parts and moulds for car components.

According to Dzulkifli, Iran Khodro and Saipa together produced a total of 1.3 million cars every year, of which 81.3 per cent were passenger cars.

"With a population of 70 million, the Iranian market offers promising opportunities for Malaysian companies to export auto parts and collaborate with local car manufacturers and vendors to produce innovative parts and components," he said.

The trade commissioner pointed out that the automotive industry in Iran was experiencing strong growth for the past 10 years, averaging 23 per cent per annum.

In 2008, Iran was ranked the world's 16th largest automotive production country.

In the first seven months of 2009, total trade between Malaysia and Iran hit RM1.73 billion, with exports to Iran valued at RM1.17 billion and imports RM558 million.

Exports of automotive parts and components to Iran were valued at RM118 million.

"Malaysia's export of auto parts to Iran will grow 10 per cent per annum in 2010. Among the products that have potential to be exported are alloy rims, body kits, plastic injection moulding and anti-theft system," said Dzulkifli.

Geely Sudah Siap Pesan

Meskipun baru akan mulai memproduksi mobil barunya pada Oktober mendatang,
pabrikan mobil asal China, Geely, nampaknya mendapatkan respon yang cukup baik di pasaran.

Hal tersebut terbukti di kota Paris Van Java, Bandung. Setelah melakukan soft launching dealer mereka di Bandung dan memperkenalkan merek ini ke masyarakat Jawa Barat, Geely pun ternyata sudah mendapat benyak pemesanan.

"Sejak di perkenalkan di Bandung, sekarang kami sudah menerima SPK (Surat Pemesanan Kendaraan) sampai puluhan unit lho," ungkap Presiden Direktur PT Geely Mobil Indonesia (GMI) A Budi Pramono ketika dihubungi detikOto, Kamis (17/9/2009).

SPK yang mencapai puluhan itu menurutnya sangat wajar. Terlebih harga yang ditawarkan Geely untuk Varian MK dan CK pun dianggap sangat menarik yakni
hanya Rp 99.999.999,- saja secara off the road.

Itu baru di Bandung, sebab pemesanan mobil-mobil Geely pun menurut Budi
ternyata tidak hanya datang dari ibukota Jawa Barat saja, namun juga di
kota-kota lain seperti Semarang dan Bali misalnya.

"Yang pasti, setiap kami lakukan soft launching di sebuah kota, sambutannya
cukup baik semua," papar Budi.

Mercy Infiniti Ala China

Lagi-lagi, China membuat gebrakan dalam hal desain mobil. Kali ini giliran Infiniti G35 dan Mercedez Benz yang kena jarah desainnya oleh produsen mobil China, Jianghuai.

Dari penampilannya, sedan Jianghuai ini bukan hanya terinspirasi oleh sedan mewah Infiniti G35, tapi memang itu adalah Infiniti.

Mulai dari tampilan depan, sampai desain pilar A sampai C, sedan China ini benar-benar mengeluarkan aura sebuah mobil mewah tersebut.

Bahkan, ketika pandangan beralih ke belakang, semua pun pasti bakal dikejutkan dengan desain buritan dari sedan Jianghuai ini. Bagaimana tidak, karena itu adalah bagian belakang sebuah Mercedes Benz E350s.

Perbedaannya, tentu hanya terletak pada emblem logo saja. Bila Mercedes Benz memiliki bintang hanya tiga, lantas menjadi lima bintang pada sedan Jianghuai ini.

Karena, sejak kapan Mercedes Benz mengganti logonya seperti itu? Demikian seperti dilansir Autoblog.com, Sabtu (24/10/2009).

The World's Most Expensive SUV

This is the world's most expensive SUV - but with three bottles of the world's most expensive vodka included in the price tag, it actually appears to be a bargain.

The £1million Dartz Prombron Monaco Red Diamond Edition has gold-plated windows, pure tungsten exhausts, and the speed gauges are encrusted in diamonds. The seats are not for the squeamish. They are made of one of the softest materials around - leather from a whale's penis.

And, just to send the bling factor right through the roof, this SUV also comes complete with an exterior bulletproof Kevlar coating. But that's nothing compared to the vodka that comes with it.

The car company has thrown three bottles of Russo-Baltique, the vodka brand it created this year to mark its100th anniversary, Motor Authority reported.

Last year, a bottle retailed for £790,000. It is not a meant to be drunk, the company's website explains - instead it should be displayed as art. That's because the bling of the bottle frankly puts the SUV to shame.

According to the Dartz company's website, the flask, a replica of the radiator guard used for the Russo-Baltique cars, is made from gold coins minted between 1908 and 1912. This is around the time the company manufactured its first car.

The flask cap is made from white and yellow gold and contains a diamond-encrusted replica of the Russian Imperial Eagle. And finally, the bottle itself is made of bulletproof glass 30cm thick - just in case. The car - and vodka - were produced especially for the mega-exclusive Top Marques luxury motor show in Monaco next year.

The car is made by the company that produced armoured vehicles for Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Tsar Nicolas. The seats are indeed of 'real whale penis leather,' says a spokesperson for Dartz Kombat.

'It is inspired by the original playboy Aristotle Onassis' yacht Christina O, which had bar stool seats made from sperm whale foreskin.

'Some people have called us crazy because of this, but we think we must make a luxury car till the end.'

Weighing four tons and powered by a V8 engine capable of 450 horse power, the Pombron's maker also claim the car is 'rocket grenade proof'.

'In the past our customers have included Lenin and his revolutionary partner Trotsky,' explains the Dartz spokesperson.

'In fact we are launching a version of this new model in 2012, just for Latin America.

'This will commemorate the fact that Trotsky was killed in Mexico with an ice pick in 1940.

'As such, the Latin version will come with a gold ice axe to mark this fact.'

Keeping the exact details of the car secret, the Pombron's makers say the SUV will be unveiled to Prince Albert of Monaco at the Top Marques opening in April of next year.

Driverless Car Race

The future of safe road traffic belongs to laser technology. This was demonstrated at the race for driverless cars, the DARPA Urban Challenge in the USA.

The winning Tartan Racing Team, the second-place Stanford Racing Team and the third-place Victor Tango Team in the finals held on 3 November used Ibeo laser sensors. The high-performance sensors were the racing vehicle's smart eyes. Besides these teams, another 3 additional vehicles in the race used the laser scanners made in Germany.

Smart Eyes

In order for the driverless cars to be capable of completely automatic driving, they have to be capable of recognizing their surroundings and reacting to the prevailing conditions in fractions of a second.

The Ibeo laser scanners serve as smart eyes that guide the vehicles safely through traffic.

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Hydrogen Powered Gadgets Presented at Solar and Fuel Cell Exposition in Tokyo

The capital of Japan housed a number of companies that presented their latest inventions in technology, but not just any technology.

The exposition, entitled document.writePV & FC Expo 2009, held at Tokyo Bog Sight, host the largest show of photovoltaic (solar cells) and fuel cell technology, bringing together companies and investors.

Among the most impressive inventions on the exposition there was the dancing hydrogen-powered robot along with her robot dog companion.

Lambhorgini Luncurkan New Gallardo di Jakarta

Lamborghini kembali meluncurkan generasi terbaru mobil sportnya di Indonesia , New Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder. Produk teranyar pabrikan otomotif Itali ini, menawarkan performa mesin dengan fitur terbaru yaitu atap soft top.

New Gallardo, samping"New Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder menampilkan dimensi baru pada jajaran Gallardo, yaitu dengan desain yang ekstrem dan performa yang unggul di kelasnya," ujar Stephan Winkelman, Presiden dan CEO Automobile Lamborghini dalam keterangan persnya.

Gallardo baru ini dibekali mesin berkapasitas 5.200 cc, V10 yang mampu menyemburkan tenaga 560 PS pada putaran 8.000 rpm. Akselerasi 0-100 km, 4 detik. Dengan demikian, dibanding Gallardo generasi sebelumnya, tenaga New Gallardo lebih besar 40 PS. Perbedaan lainnya,Gallardo baru mengaplikasikan fitur atap terbuka atau soft-top.

Selain itu, ada perubahan di bumper, lampu depan dan belakang, serta suspensi hidrolik yang bisa meninggikan bodi hingga 5 centimeter, serta bobot lebih ringan 20 kilogram.

gallardo, interiorMobil yang diluncurkan Sabtu (10/10) di Jakarta oleh PT Lamborghini Jakarta itu, dibanderol Rp 5,64 miliar (kurs 1 dolar = Rp 9.600) off the road. Wakau terbilang mahal, tetapi Lamborghini mengaku optimitis, Gallardo generasi terbaru ini bakal laris.

Alasannya, kendati ceruk pasarnya kecil, namun peminat Gallardo Spyder cukup banyak, mereka adalah para pehobi yang berprofesi sebagai pengusaha.

Mobil ini diklaim mampu melesat hingga 324 kilometer per jam. Meski konsumsi bahan bakarnya satu liter untuk jarak 4,8 kilometer, namun New Gallardo Spyder ini disebut-sebut mampu meningkatkan efisiensi konsumsi bahan baka. Sebab mobil ini menggunakan sistem suplai bahan bakar injeksi langsung.

China's Tengzhong to finalize Hummer deal

China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. is to finalize a deal with General Motors (GM) to get the American automaker's Hummer business.

"GM and Tengzhong may close the deal as early as today," a source familiar with the deal said on Friday.

Representatives of the privately owned company have been in the US for several days working on final details with the American automaker.

The purchase price is not known yet.

General Motors Company faced bankruptcy in summer and received about 50 billion dollars in US government aid.

Tengzhong is based in the western Chinese city of Chengdu in Sichuan province.

Algiers car show features 60 exhibitors

Whether to browse or to buy, Algerians are crowding into this year's auto show in the capital.

Dozens of carmakers will begin displaying their automobiles on Wednesday (September 30th) at the 13th international car show of Algiers, APS reported. The annual exhibition "takes place despite the global economic crisis", Mohamed Bairi, president of the Algeria Association of Car Dealers (AC2A), said at a press conference.

First All-Composite Military Vehicle

TPI Composites, Inc., a leading manufacturer of large-scale composite structures, and Armor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AH), a leading manufacturer and distributor of military vehicles, vehicle armor systems, and life safety and survivability systems, were joined by Congressman David Hobson (7th District-Ohio) today to unveil a new light-weight, all-composite HMMWV. The new vehicle, which is part of the U.S. Army’s All Composite Military Vehicle program, will be the first of its kind.

The prototype vehicle was designed to demonstrate weight savings and durability in a tactical truck for the U.S. Army that can provide soldiers with maximum protection and performance. The vehicle is the result of an 18-month research and development program with the U.S. Army TARDEC and AM General. The vehicle will serve as a demonstration of how TPI can apply its composites technology to other military vehicles or vehicle components p..

The 3rd International Motor Show Of Libya

The aim of the Show will be to enable the exhibitors to introduce their products to a large audience in a short time. Also the presence of the Media shall broaden the exposure of the exhibitors beyond the exhibition ground.

The Show will have one Trade & Media day, during which it opens its doors only to professionals and to visitors who have been invited by the organizers or the exhibitors. The show will be opened to the public during the next four days.

During the Trade and Media day, this is when the exhibitor will benefit the most as they will have the chance to meet potential clients. This intensive exposure to potential visitors will assist the exhibitors to generate direct sales, sales agreement, monitor the market and competitors and acquire valuable contacts. The Show will also provide an opportunity for companies looking for local agents and a presence in the local market.

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Custom car fest set to open in Abu Dhabi

Barbican Turbo 2009, a dedicated show with focus on engine tuning, artistic bodywork and powerful in-car audio systems, is set to get underway on October 8 in Abu Dhabi.

The three-day festival, which is expected to attract thousands of car enthusiasts, will run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Adham Badr, brand manager for Barbican, headline sponsor of the show, revealed that over 100 of the best customised vehicles in the country will be on show at the exhibition.

“Last year’s Barbican Turbo was a fantastic success, attracting 20,000 people, so there was no question about whether or not we would repeat it,” he said.

“The custom car scene reflects what our brand is all about; self expression. Barbican Turbo 2009 will have everything for the enthusiastic car modifier – it is the biggest event of its kind in the region.”

Demonstrations of power are expected to be a major draw at the show, with high-speed drifting from the ‘Need for Speed’ European Drift Championship team on display at the centre’s track.

Visitors will also get a chance to test the power output of their own vehicles in the Dyno Shoot-Out, which pits owners in a head-to-head to see whose machine pumps out the most bhp.

As well as brute force being showcased, custom car and bike bodywork will also feature prominently, with visitors being dazzled by the light reflected from the acres of chrome on display.

Prizes and trophies will be given out for the best vehicles, some of which will have had hundreds of thousands of dirhams worth of modifications made by their loving owners.

One lucky owner will also receive an additional prize of an all expenses-paid holiday to Switzerland as overall winner of the top 100 amateur car of the festival.

Barbican Turbo 2009 will also feature the second UAE National Sound-Off competition, where competitors can win prizes for the loudest vehicle stereo and the best installation.

A separate audio stage will keep music lovers occupied and to complete the urban feel, a street art contest will take place close to the track.

Demonstrations of Parkour freeform running will be on show in the hall and professional flarers from the UK will be wowing the crowds with their bottle juggling skills, mixing up non-alcoholic beverages as they go.

“We can promise anybody attending Barbican Turbo 2009 they will not be disappointed,” said Badr.

“It will be an energetic celebration of car and bike modification and the atmosphere throughout will be one that acknowledges the power of self expression,” he added.

F1 in UAE

An artist applies brush to a replica of Formula 1 car at Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi on Saturday

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1Malaysia F1 Team plans HQ at Sepang

Although the 1Malaysia F1 Team would initially be based near Lotus’ hometown of Norfolk, there are plans to relocate to the Sepang International Circuit sometime in the future. Apparently the SIC has allocated between 8,000 to 12,000 hectres (er, this must be a misquote by MSM journos) of land for the F1 team’s headquarters. The site will be at the parking area before the tunnel to enter the podium building.

According to SIC CEO Razlan Razali, the HQ will be fully equipped with manufacturing and development facilities including a wind-tunnel and costs could be in the millions or even billions.

However he reiterated that these are just plans for now and it’s all only in preliminary stages. After the Raya holidays, the parties involved will sit together and have a discussion. He added that the team’s race machines could be ready in the matter of months, thanks to Lotus and other contractors and suppliers such as Cosworth, FondTech and Xtrac, who will supply the engine, aerodynamics and transmission respectively. They are not building from scratch.