Ford of Austria Prices the 300HP Focus RS at €39,000 and Releases New Performance Figures

Despite the fact that we're still a few months away from the market launch of the all-new Ford Focus RS (click here for more info and 22 high-res photos) that made its world premiere at the London Motor Show this past July, Ford's Austrian arm has released plenty of new and important details for the sport hatchback including preliminary pricing and revised performance figures.

When Ford introduced the vehicle in London, the company said that the Focus RS with its 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine would sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in under 6.0 sec and on to a top speed of 260 km/h (162mph) or more. According to the firm's latest tests, the Focus RS accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 5.9 sec and achieves a maximum speed of 263 km/h or 164mph.

The fastest ever European Ford production car will be available in Austria from summer 2009 priced from €39,000 or $50,800 with the current exchange rates. Comparatively, the 225HP Focus ST which forms the base for the RS, starts from €29,980 in Austria.

The new Focus RS will be offered with three different exterior colors: "Performance Green", "Indianapolis Blue" and "Frost White" each with the choice of blue or green color matched interior. Alternatively, a full black leather option will be available for all three exterior colors.

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ABT LaunchesTuning Package for VW Scirocco

*Updated with New Photos

ABT is one of the first tuners to get its hands on the new Volkswagen Scirocco which has just began arriving at the firm's European dealerships. The Kempten-based VW Group specialist has prepared an aggressive bodykit for the sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. The exterior package is complemented by new alloy wheels available in sizes 18 to 20’’.

To improve the coupe's handling, ABT has developed a new sport suspension that brings the Scirocco 30 mm closer to the ground. This particular package (combined with 19-inch alloys) will be available in Germany from January 2009 at a price of €5,990 or $8,300 US. Furthermore, the German tuner also offers a sport brake system.

Last but not least, ABT has developed power refinements for all the engines that are offered on the Scirocco. With the power kit, the 1.4-liter TSI’s output rises from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP.

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Porsche Panamera Sedan: New Promotional Films

Saying that the new Porsche Panamera's design hasn't been well received is probably an understatement. Porsche of course has a totally different outlook as the Germans believe that with the Panamera they have redefined the "four-door, four-seat sports sedan theme". Whether you agree or disagree with Porsche, fact is that the Panamera is the talk of the (auto) town these days. Following the official details, the running footage and our new image gallery with 28 photos, we've now added two new promotional films to the mix that you can watch right after the jump.

PORSCHE PANAMERA DEVELOPMENT

PORSCHE PANAMERA SHORT PROMO FILM

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Honda: No Flashy Press Events at Detroit Show

Even though Honda is planning to debut the all-so-important Insight Hybrid vehicle at the 2009 Detroit motorshow in January, the Japanese automaker has decided not to stage any of the traditional flashy press events because of the depressed business conditions. "Normally we have a great TV moment with special effects to reveal a new model," said Honda's U.S. spokesman Chris Martin. "That's a very expensive prospect. Given the economic times, we just didn't see that as appropriate this year."

Honda decision to cancel its press conferences and events comes after a series of automakers including Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce pulled out of the 2009 Detroit show altogether.

Via: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)

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Nissan 200SX Mobile BBQ Trailer

If you happen to have a mullet and a lifeless Nissan 200SX -or any car for that matter- laying around somewhere and you don't know if you should get rid of it or make something useful out of it, here's a 'nifty' idea; how about chopping it in half and transforming it into a mobile BBQ-trailer with an integrated tailgate grill? What an attention grabber...

Via: Core77

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Mercedes-Benz GLK to Start from $33,900 in the U.S.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLK has been available for sale in Europe for some time now but in the U.S., the compact SUV will be arriving at the firm's dealerships in January 2009. Available exclusively with Merc's 268-HP 3.0-liter V6 engine, the five-passenger GLK350, with standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, will be priced at $35, 900, plus an $875 destination fee. Comparatively, the BMW X3 xDrive30i with its 260-HP 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine starts at $39,400 MSRP. For those that do not need an all-wheel-drive set up, Merc will also offer an entry-level GLK350 with rear-wheel-drive from April, 2009, priced at $33,900 with an additional $875 delivery fee.

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Tacky Xmas Gifts: Limited Edition Nissan GT-R Toolbox

For the sake of conversation, let's say that someone -after a couple of drinks- finds the limited edition GT-R toolbox from Snap-On attractive and not in bad taste. Now, could someone please explain to us the logic behind the decision to make the toolbox available only to Nissan GT-R owners and only through certified GT-R dealerships when everyone knows that Nissan is exceptionally sensitive when it comes to fiddling around with its 473HP supercar? It doesn't make any sense at all does it...

Via: Autoblog.com

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2010 Maserat GranTurismo Spyder with Folding Hardtop Scooped

Don't be fooled by the heavy camouflage; underneath the plastic black wrap hides the forthcoming GranTurismo Spyder that will be given the same-style retractable metal roof as its "sister" model, the Ferrari California. As you can see in our high-res image gallery below, our spy photographers have even managed to scoop a partially undisguised test mule revealing the GranTurismo Spyder's two-piece folding hard-top.

Even though the Spyder will be based on the GranTurismo maintaining the same engine options and mechanics it will use a shortened version of the coupe's platform meaning that it will be a strict two-seater. As for the car's looks, people go weak at the knees when they see the coupe variant and we expect nothing less from the Spyder which will be designed once again from the "Grandmaster" Pininfarina.

Like its four-seater tin top sibling, the GranTurismo Spyder will be offered in two flavors: the standard version with a 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 404HP and the sportier "S" model equipped with a 4.7-liter V8 cranking out 440HP. The latter will feature suspension and brake system upgrades along with minor aesthetic modifications like different alloy wheel designs and the refined interior trim.

According to Carscoop sources, the Maserati GranTurismo Spyder will most likely break cover at the 2009 Geneva MotorShow next March with sales following shortly after.

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Mercedes-Benz Recalling 1,515 MY2007 S-Class Sedans

Even though it's not the best of things to happen, it's always useful to know when and why your vehicle is being called in by the manufacturer. The latest recall in the States concerns the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. According to the German automaker, due to a manufacturing process flaw from the supplier's side, the radial knuckle of the front strut may fail after significant mileage accumulation combined with exposure to high continuous stress by driving on rough roads. If the radial knuckle happens to fail, then the steering control of the vehicle may be affected. Merc said that the recall is expected to begin in December and that its dealers will replace any problematic front struts free of charge.

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Porsche Cuts Production for December and January

As demands falls and inventories pile up, automakers from all four corners of the world are cutting down on production. The latest company to proceed to such a move is Porsche which announced that production at its main plant at Zuffenhausen, Germany, was stopped for the first time last Friday, November 21, 2008. The company said that it plans to shut down the factory for another seven additional days up to the end of January 2009. Luckily for the firm's employees, the cut down won't lead to short-time work. "Because the flextime accounts of Porsche employees are well filled due to the high production capacity in the last year, balance is possible without short-time work," the company said in a statement.

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