2010 Kia Sorento SUV Geared up by Cobra Technology & Lifestyle

The new generation Kia Sorento that made its debut earlier this year is the latest object of Cobra Technology & Lifestyle's tuning affections. Not that most Sorento buyers will actually ever need bull bars - that is, unless your parking skills are worse 16-year-old that just got his license, but Cobra offers a variety of front, rear and rocker panel guards including a lower front bar with integrated LED daytime running lights.

Once you're done with the body armor, you can also choose from numerous alloy wheel designs with diameters of 19 and 20 inches. The largest alloy wheels can be fitted with tires in size 265/45 R 20.

Fiat Group's Revised 2010-2011 Product Plan, Includes Chrysler-Based Sedans, Convertible and MPV for Lancia, 8C GTA for Alfa

During a Tuesday meeting in Rome with representatives of the government and trade unions, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed the Italian group's product plan that has been revised after the alliance with the Chrysler Group earlier this year. We already told you about the introduction of Fiat's new twin-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine on the 500 mini next year, but let's see what else the group has in store for the European market.

Bypassing the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Fiat Doblo van that we already know about, Fiat's product plan concentrates on Lancia, a brand that up until now, was clearly neglected by the Italian firm. That's going to change now that Fiat has linked Lancia's portfolio with Chrysler's lineup.

First of all, 2010 will see a minor facelift for the Ypsilon mini and Musa mini MPV as well as a model year update on the Delta that is rumored to be revealed with a Chrysler badge at next month's Detroit auto show.

2011, however, promises to be a significant year for Lancia as Fiat plans to introduced four new vehicles -all of which will be derived from Chrysler models- to the brand's European lineup.

These include a mid-size family sedan and convertible (a Lybra successor most likely based on the Sebring), a new flagship luxury sedan (Thesis replacement that's rumored to be based on the 300) and a large MPV (probably the Town and Country).

In 2011, Fiat will also gain a Chrysler Group-derived crossover model while the most important introduction for the brand will be the next-generation Panda that will be offered with the firm's new twin-cylinder turbocharged engines.

Other than the new compact-sized Giulietta, Alfa Romeo's plans include a model year update for the 159 sedan, the presentation of the more hardcore 8C Competizione GTA and a light facelift for the MiTo supermini.

As you can see, Marchionne's plans for Alfa do not include the long awaited SUV / Crossover model nor a replacement for the 169. Apparently, the focus on the Lancia brand comes at the cost of Alfa's future...

All in all, over the next two years, the Fiat Group is planning the launch of 17 new models and upgrades of 13 existing models.

PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop

What Should GM do with SAAB's 2010 9-5 Sedan and 9-4x SUV?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard about GM's decision to close down its SAAB brand after it became clear that the Spyker deal could not be completed in reasonable time - or so the Detroit automaker claimed.

Some say, there's still some hope left for the once innovative and quirky Swedish brand as during the wind-down procedure, a savior might come forward and express interest in Saab as a whole or a part of the company.

There's even talk about a second life in China as GM could sell more Saab assets to BAIC or another domestic maker.

In any case, one of the first questions that arose after GM's decision, which, let's not forget, will leave several thousands of workers without a job, is what's going to happen with the production-ready 2010 9-5 sedan and the almost-ready 9-4x crossover?

Bear in mind that the premium sedan is based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, also used on the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia / 2011 Buick Regal, while the 9-4x shares its underpinnings with the new Cadillac SRX.

Officially, General Motors has not said what it will do with these two cars nor with the current 9-3s.

In what concerns the two new models, we can think of several options that GM may have including killing them off entirely, rebadging the cars under a different name and even selling the rights / assets to another automaker - although, common sense says that the last option is probably the least likely to happen for obvious competitive reasons.

So, here's the question we would like to ask you, our readers: What do you think General Motors should do with the new SAAB 9-5 sedan and 9-4x Crossover?

PS: The photoshoped 2010 SAAB 9-5 sedan with the Buick snout was made just to prettify the article


2010 SAAB 9-5 SEDAN

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SAAB 9-4X BIOPOWER CONCEPT

2011 BMW 5-Series Tuned by TopCar, Cardi and Lumma Design

The brand-new 2011 BMW 5-Series hasn't even made its motor show debut yet, but tuners are already actively working on their plans to present an array of performance and cosmetic goodies for the Bavarian automaker's premium sedan. One of the first proposals comes from a trio of companies, Russia's TopCar and Cardi, and Germany's Lumma Design, that have joined forces to offer a new sport package for the Bimmer.

TopCar and Cardi will handle the design aspect of the project while Lumma Design will be responsible for the manufacturing of the kit as well as the performance upgrades.

Although the three tuners have not disclosed any specific details about the package, they did release a set of photoshoped images that show a new wide bodykit trimmed in carbon fiber that consists of new bumpers, fender extensions, side skirts and a boot lid spoiler.

In addition, the tuners previewed three different alloy wheel designs for the 2011 5-Series.

The tuners said that the completed package will be presented in April 2010.

Via: Cardesign

2011 Ford Mustang GT: More Info Leaks on 412HP 5.0L V8, Returns 25mpg

Journalists that attended a pre-Detroit show event on the new 2011 Ford Mustang GT have spilled more beans on the new 5.0-liter V8 engine that uses an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder sleeves. We already knew that the eight-cylinder powerplant churns out 412 horsepower, but now, we've also learned that those ponies will be delivered at 6,500 rpm and that the new engine produces 390 lb-ft of torque, up from the current 4.6-liter V8's 315HP and 325 lb-ft.

In addition, it was also confirmed that the brand-new V8, which features four valves per cylinder and twin independent variable valve timing, will be linked to six-speed transmissions in both automatic and manual forms.

Last but not least, the bean spillers said that the new 2011 Mustang GT will return a fuel economy of 25mpg (9.4lt/100km), most probably on the highway.

In comparison, the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS' 6.2-liter V8 produces 426HP at 5,900rpm and 420 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm, returning 24mpg on the highway, while the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8's 6.1-liter Hemi V8 is rated at 42H5HP at 6,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm, returning 22mpg on the highway.

Via: Autoweek and Edmunds
*Photos: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Bugatti Unveils Trio of Special Edition Veyrons at Dubai Motor Show

To honor the importance of the Middle East market to its automotive business, Bugatti swiped the wraps off two unique cars, the Veyron "Sang d'Argent" and the Grand Sport "Soleil de Nuit", as well as a special series of five Veyrons dubbed "Nocturne", all of which will be sold only in the Middle East, at this week's Dubai International Motor Show.

Limited to just five units, the Veyron Nocturne sports a black finish with polished aluminum body parts and custom rims along with galvanized side windows. Inside, this special edition Veyron features a black nanocoated magnesium dashboard and a centre console in galvanized Platinum.

Moving on to the one-off specials, the Veyron "Sang d'Argent" coupe combines a silver paint finish with polished aluminium parts and a Havanna interior with quilting pattern on seats and saddle and other personalized items.

The Grand Sport "Soleil de Nuit" features a two-tone paint scheme with the Black Blue Metallic color enriched by mirror shine body parts and trim while the interior is finished in a strong burnt orange shade.

All three cars will be available for delivery to their Middle East owners in the first quarter of 2010 with prices ranging from €1.45 million for the "Sang d'Argent" and €1.55 million for the "Soleil de Nuit", the Veyron and Grand Sport one-off models, to €1.65 million for the five car "Nocturne" series.