Following the Snow Globe in Time Square last year MINI is at it again but this time 42nd Street is the place to be! See the MINI Countryman take the Big Apple by storm.

MINI Countryman takes the Big Apple by storm
6 new photos

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We had several new sign ups who have had problems signing up and threfore logging in to the accounts.

Cars-n-bIkes.com are aware of this issue and working on a solution which should take no more than a fews days to resolve [and hopefully well before].

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Bridgestone analyse Sepang findings

Friday, 25 February 2011
MotoGP’s official tyre supplier gave their overview of the three-day Test in Malaysia.
Bridgestone analyse Sepang findings

The second of the pre-season tests at the Malaysian Sepang International Circuit was brought to a close on Thursday after three dry and hot days of running, despite rain threatening the final 45 minutes of Thursday.

The track temperature reached a high of 57ºC, and the fastest times on each day were set in the cooler morning or late afternoon runs. The third and final day of the test was the fastest overall, with the leading Repsol Honda duo of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa both lapping in under two minutes. The top three riders also each lapped quicker than the official circuit best lap of 2’00.518, set by Valentino Rossi in 2009.

The fastest laps were set using the harder option front tyre for its increased stability under braking, especially given the high track temperature and the heavy braking points from high-speed at Sepang, coupled with a softer rear for the extra traction and grip advantage it offers. Some riders though, including Valentino Rossi, preferred the softer front.

Bridgestone took advantage of the opportunity to further tyre development by supplying every rider with one front and one rear test-specification slick tyre, in addition to normal allocation of two compounds of front and rear slicks.

During the test, the Sepang International Circuit also raised money for their ‘RM2 or More’ campaign supporting the Malaysia Flood Relief Fund. Teams were invited to donate for each member of staff present, but instead Bridgestone donated for each tyre brought to the test, meaning RM1000 for 1000 tyres.

Hirohide Hamashima – Director, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development:

“I am happy with tyre performance at this test because the track temperature has been high but, owing mainly to the development of the bikes over the winter, the times at the front are incredibly fast. We have gained a lot of data from this test and have been able to confirm the performance of the 2011-spec front and rear slicks so I am pleased about this. Several riders also completed long-distance runs and durability and consistency were satisfactory even in such demanding conditions so I am confident of tyre performance again this year.

“This has been a valuable test for our fundamental tyre development work too and we have gathered good data and feedback from riders on our front and rear test tyres, so I must thank them for their support. We are always working hard to improve our tyre technology, and this work will help us to ensure we have the right developmental direction for future tyres both for MotoGP of course and also for our Battlax consumer road tyres.”

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NEW ZAFIRA CONCEPT MAKES WORLD PREMIERE AT GENEVA SHOW

2011-02-25

* Innovative, New Flex7 seating concept creates airy and inviting atmosphere
* Rakish exterior design reminiscent of a high-speed train
* High-tech elements create visual drama and ensure highest levels of comfort

Geneva/Luton – These are the first official pictures of Vauxhall’s Zafira Tourer Concept, which makes its world debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show and gives the strongest hint yet at what a production-ready version may look like.

Combining “lounge-on-wheels” luxury with the same high degree of flexibility the Zafira name has become synonymous with over the last 12 years, the concept’s cabin has a light, airy feel and generous space for rear-seat passengers.

“We have transferred the idea of a relaxing lounge to a vehicle and created an automobile oasis, a place to relax and enjoy,” said Mark Adams, Vauxhall’s Vice President of Design. “The Zafira Tourer Concept’s exterior design also makes a bold statement with its sleek, flowing lines and premium feel.”

Ambient lighting bathes spacious seven-seat cabin

The Zafira Tourer Concept interior is bathed in light thanks to a panoramic windscreen that flows into a generous glass roof extending to the rear of the car. A second pane of high-tech composite material is edge-lit by LEDs. Tiny metallic particles are embedded in the cabin’s upper sections to reflect the light and give off a warm glow that can be varied in different shades of yellow.

Vauxhall’s Flex7 seating makes a welcome return in the concept, but in this application it has evolved still further. With two rows in place, providing five-seat capacity, the Zafira concept can be transformed at the push of a button into a four-seater with limousine levels of space. A clever new folding mechanism allows the centre section of the second row to fold down, revealing two armrests for occupants in the outer seats. These seats can then slide back and towards each other, creating generous levels of space around passengers. Extended footrests complement the seating system still further.

The concept’s tilt-able three-piece headrests are electrically powered, though for safety reasons the driver’s remains in a vertical position when the car is in motion. In the ‘lounge’ setting, with the exception of the driver’s headrest, each swivels 90 degrees to the horizontal position while the outer elements curve slightly forward.

Up front, a large touch-screen display dominates the centre console, above which a covered storage compartment can hold a tablet PC like an iPad. The heating can be controlled using two turn knobs below the display, and air conditioning via touch-buttons.

Thanks to the flexible and pivot-mounted tablet PCs on the front seat backs, passengers in the second row can comfortably surf the internet or control multi-media applications.

Seats tailored in high-quality caramel leather with colour-matched quilted seams and stitching, contrasted with Cocoa dark brown door trim, soft deep-pile carpet and a host of premium materials, underline the concept’s exclusivity.

Exterior design

The Zafira concept’s roomy, warm interior is encased in an elegant, sculptured and sophisticated body painted in Frost Liquid Metal, a special metallic silver-grey.

At the front of the car, wing-shaped LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon AFL and fog lamps are all contained behind a single Plexiglass cover. These combine with fog lamps encased in polished aluminium frames to visually shorten the front overhang. The characteristic Vauxhall centre-crease on the hood reaches from the grille to the windscreen.

Like the Astra Sports Tourer, the Zafira’s belt line sweeps upwards and visually helps to propel the vehicle forward. The aerodynamic body significantly reduces wind noise for quiet cruising and the silhouette, designers say, is reminiscent of a high-speed train.

Aerodynamic exterior mirrors house turn indicators that are encased like jewels in an elegant, polished aluminium body. These high-class trim details are echoed in the waist moulding of the side glass as well as on the roof rails.

The dark LED tail lamps, which incorporate Vauxhall’s signature blade, wrap around the body side and tailgate. The horizontal aluminium bar stretches far into the light elements, giving the concept a broad, sporty look at the rear. The parallelogram-shaped dual exhaust pipes are integrated in another aluminium bar in the lower fascia, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Innovative design and technology enhances practicality and comfort

The dark metallic grey 20-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels with 245/40 R20 tyres all round hint at the Zafira’s dynamic prowess, as well as its quality. The polished high-gloss spokes contrast with diamond-cut aluminium surfaces that make them stand out against the dark background of the rims.

The Zafira Tourer Concept is powered by a new version of the downsized, fuel-efficient 1.4 Turbo featuring Start/Stop technology, providing exceptional efficiency with brisk performance. Underpinning the car is a range of innovative technologies, such as the FlexRide adaptive damping system.

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New BMW sub-brand: BMW i

BMW i stands for sustainable vehicles and mobility solutions
Two models available for launch: BMW i3 and BMW i8
Mobility services complement core business
BMW i Ventures holding company founded

Munich. The new BMW sub-brand focused on developing sustainable mobility solutions has been launched. “BMW i represents a new movement in premium mobility. With the introduction of this new sub-brand, the BMW Group reaffirms its leadership as the most innovative and sustainable premium car company. The products and services have been conceived around a revolutionary approach: purpose designed and purpose built for sustainable, premium mobility. It’s a new day in our industry; a new era for individual mobility. This is BMW i – Born Electric,” said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing, in Munich on Monday.

In a first move, two models will be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 – the BMW i3 and BMW i8. The BMW Group will also significantly expand its range of mobility services over the years ahead. To achieve this, a Venture Capital company was founded in New York City, BMW i Ventures, with an investment totalling up to 100 million US dollars.

“BMW i offers visionary cars and services, inspiring design, and an entirely new concept of premium mobility – all with a focus on sustainability,” explained Robertson. The BMW i brand comprises vehicles and services developed since 2007 as part of project i, a BMW Group think tank exploring sustainable mobility solutions. It is the BMW Group’s response to changing customer needs, including increasing demand for alternative drive trains, such as electric drive systems and hybrids. There is a widespread desire in megacities for solutions which intelligently combine the benefits of various mobility concepts in a single package.

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Two Ford utility vehicles are among Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com 2011 Top 10 Family Cars, which recognizes safety, comfort, economy of operation, child-friendliness, a reasonable purchase price and good resale value. The 2011 Ford Explorer, called the “best Explorer ever” by kbb.com editors, was praised for offering “better ride, better handling and better fuel efficiency” and for delivering “far more than most families will ever need.” Ford Flex was lauded as the “most fun-to-drive, most car-like family hauler you can get your hands on for less than $30,000.” Click here for the full release.

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*Andy Pilgrim to drive No. 8 car, Johnny O’Connell behind the wheel of the No. 3 coupe

SEBRING, Fla. – Cadillac Racing returned to Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 22, for a second round of testing prior to the beginning of the 2011 Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT season.

For the first time, both CTS-V Coupe racecars hit the track with full exterior colors, decals and numbers. Driver Andy Pilgrim will pilot the No. 8 car for Cadillac Racing, and teammate Johnny O’Connell will be behind the wheel of the No. 3 coupe.

Cadillac is reentering the World Challenge GT series this year, beginning with the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 25-27. Cadillac previously competed in the World Challenge from 2004 to 2007.

“We’re here fine-tuning the cars, validating components and vehicle dynamics,” said Jim Vurpillat, Cadillac global marketing director. “It’s our first opportunity to get both cars on the track at the same time, in full race trim. Besides looking incredible on the track, the cars are performing at an exceptional level.”

The first test at Sebring Raceway in January was earlier in the vehicle development process and limited to one racecar without the exterior treatments.

“The driving is going very well,” O’Connell said. “We’re just learning how the car responds to different changes and we’re getting a lot of track data. With two full days of testing (Feb. 22-23), we’ll have a really good idea of how we’ll perform at the first race in St. Petersburg next month.”

The World Challenge GT schedule has been finalized for the 2011 season and includes eight races in the United States and Canada from March to October.

“We’re getting in a lot of laps, and that’s what we need to do to get ready for the 2011 season,” Pilgrim said.



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