2009 BMW Z4

The soon-to-be-released 2009 BMW Z4 will look familiar to sports car enthusiasts, but striking and fresh as well. The next-generation Z4 will also be better by several key measurements.

With its next two-seat sports car, expected in showrooms by late March 2009, BMW has in effect combined two models: the previous Z4 roadster, with its folding soft top, and the fixed-roof Z4 coupe. That's because the new model is the first Z4 with a folding hardtop, like that of the competing Mercedes-Benz SLK. The new Z4's two-piece aluminum roof folds at the touch of button and stores itself under the rear deck in 20 seconds.

If that alone doesn't make the next BMW Z4 better, the new engine/transmission combinations should. All deliver more power than their predecessors, for even quicker acceleration. Yet BMW also predicts better fuel economy across the Z4 line.

The new Z4 retains its conventional sports car proportions and classic sports car look. That means a long hood, big wheel arches, and short overhangs in front of and behind the wheels. Exterior dimensions are similar, too, with a wheelbase nearly identical to the previous Z4, yet about five more inches in overall length. The new Z4's rear deck looks slightly taller than before, probably to accommodate the folding hardtop, but mostly it's just cleaner in its overall appearance. It has a bit less adornment than its predecessor, with fewer creases, more subtle details and smoother sculpting.

The same applies inside. The components and gauge cluster are familiar BMW, but the package seems less cluttered. The choice of trim, be it carbon fiber, light wood or traditional walnut, can dramatically change the feeling from sporting to luxurious. With its lined metal roof, the next-generation Z4 should be quieter inside when the top is up.

The 2009 Z4 has a bit more headroom and shoulder room than its predecessor, and BMW says its designers worked to make climbing in and out easier, especially with the top closed. There appears to be more storage space than before, including a full-width compartment behind the seats. For better or worse, the new Z4 will be the first with BMW's point-and-click iDrive control system. iDrive will come with the optional navigation system.

Under the hood, this Z4 gets the latest evolution of BMW's trademark straight six-cylinder engine, as seen in the current 3 Series sedans. Both engine choices feature more advanced technology than before, including high-pressure direct fuel injection and lighter, stronger materials that reduce internal friction and improve efficiency.

The 3.0-liter six in the entry-level 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive30i generates 255 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque, which is more power than the upgrade engine in the 2008 Z4. The premium-level 2009 Z4 sDrive35i adds twin turbochargers and delivers 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. That's 45 hp and 80 lb-ft more than its predecessor.

Both models will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The 30i offers a conventional torque-converter automatic with six speeds. The 35i will be available with BMW's dual-clutch, seven-speed sport transmission. This automatic delivers better acceleration and fuel mileage compared to the manual, according to BMW.

Bottom line with the Z4's new powertrains? BMW reports a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds for the base Z4 30i. That's as quick as the previous Z4 with the upgrade engine. The new Z4 35i hits 60 in as little as 5.0 seconds, a half-second sooner than its predecessor. Top speed for both of the new models is limited to 150 mph, depending on equipment ordered.

The 2009 BMW Z4 has front and side-impact airbags for both passengers, with fixed roll hoops behind each seat for rollover protection. It also adds two cubic feet of cargo volume, with maximum trunk space expanded to 11 cubic feet. BMW says the Z4's trunk can accommodate two golf bags with the roof closed and one when the roof is open.

There's a payback for these improvements, to be sure. The Z4's weight increases at least 200 pounds, depending on the model, though BMW expects at least a slight increase in EPA mileage ratings for all variants, thanks to the more efficient engines and transmissions. The 2008 Z4s are rated at 18 MPG City, 25 Highway with manual transmission.

The more significant cost will be measured by the price. The 2009 Z4 30i's base price should be $7,000-$8,000 higher than the least expensive 2008 model. The new 35i could top its current counterpart by as much as $10,000 before options.

Chevrolet Camaro 2010

The launch of the highly anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is expected in the spring of 2009. It'll feel a bit like back to the future, as GM's iconic pony re-emerges to compete with the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger.

The new Camaro will be available with a 3.6-liter V6 aided by a six-speed automatic, a combination expected to be rated at 26 mpg on the highway. Enthusiasts will gravitate to the Camaro SS, equipped with a powerful V8 and a choice of manual and automatic transmissions and 20-inch wheels. The Camaro will be built on GM's new global rear-wheel-drive architecture.

The production version looks essentially identical to the concept first shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a remarkable achievement given the demands a modern design must meet. Compared with the retro-styled Mustang and Challenger, the Camaro has a more contemporary and angular appearance that looks more cutting edge.

This is not a reissued '69 Camaro. In fact, some might have wondered if this car was designed in the Chevy studio at all. It's edginess looked Cadillac inspired.

Underneath, it's thoroughly modern, offering the latest in technology.

While the exterior has a modern edge and attitude, the interior has more retro styling cues with two large main gauges and with other gauges located at the front of the center console.

The Camaro SS comes with a 6.2-liter V8 with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Cars with manual transmissions use GM's LS3 V8 expected to produce 422 horspower and 408 pound-feet of torque. The LS3 debuted on the 2008 Corvette and uses high-flow cylinder heads based on the Corvette Z06's LS7 engine for strong low-end torque and high-rpm power. Camaro SS automatics come with a new L99 V8 based on the LS3 that carries all the high-performance design features but also includes GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature, enabling the engine to run on only four cylinders when cruising on the highway to improve fuel economy.

The 3.6-liter V6 standard on the Camaro LS and LT is direct-injected and features variable valve timing. It's expected to generate 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual comes standard, a six-speed automatic optional.

The new Camaro rides on a 112-inch wheelbase and will be 190 inches long. The Camaro SS is expected to weigh 3,866 pounds with the manual gearbox.


On Sale:
First Quarter 2009

Expected Pricing:
$20,000-$27,000

You’ll Need the Exoskeleton to Stop Poor People

Because poor people will be throwing their milkshakes at you when you drive this bad mother down the street. It’s called the “Lamborghini Insecta Concept,” and it’s got no real defense against strawberry or vanilla flavoring. The coloring has some sort of nice relationship with mint though, don’t you think? It’s length is the same as a Lamborghini Gallardo, it’s 1k mm tall and 2k mm wide, and it’s got a 2,650 mm wheelbase. Made for super fast power creepin’.

It’s designer, Romania-born Iulian Bumbu, says, “The idea was to create an extreme race-oriented supercar with a style that introduces softer and more organic lines and integrate them into the geometrical style of Lamborghini.”

The aim of this vehicle was to put the Lamborgini brand and a bunch of armored insects in a blender, maybe add some mint flavoring (like I said earlier), and hit the blend button. It is often an excellent idea to call upon the aesthetics of mother nature’s defense systems. What about this bigtime shell?

Designer: Iulian Bumbu [ Via: Car Body Design ]

Future Cars Best Served Cold Hearted RT20

Imagine yourself on that lukewarm desert highway. The year: 2020. The time of day: dusk. You’re cruzin USA, thinkin nothing can harm a hombre like you in a place like this. Just then you see the flashing lights of a RT20 police mobile. You lay on the gas, thinking noone can catch you, “el Mexico!” But you just got served. Served up cold. Because you just got passed. By the RT20 highway patrol.

Holy crap who gets passed by the police? You lamer!

But down to business. Designer Mathieu Lewis on the high-hat with the RT20 future car. The RT20 is a car of many faces, so I’ll paraphrase. It’s got a Liquid Hydrogen Injected Twin Turbo V6 engine. Super-Insulated fuel storage tank to keep the Liquid Hydrogen in a liquid state. Electromagnetic shock absorbers with the spring rate adjustable by charge sent to magnets.

Adjustable seat for either track or public road use (see below). The seat and controls are all contained in a movable pod. This pod can move to the center, left, or right of the car, making it able to easily adjust to any road system in the world.

The RT20 Highway Patroller. Police configured RT20 vehicle. Special “Fear Striking” paint job. Other features upon request. (Gonna have to ask Lewis, very secret!)

Finally, the key. Place in dash to activate car. Stored in key is drivers license, medical vitals, and vehicle date. If a crash should occur, the key flashes and yells and screams until someone on the accident scene picks it up. The key then gives them all the info they need - on the car, on the person, on the crash - it records the last 10 minutes of the car’s activity at all times.

So no racing! Little brother is watching.

Designer: Mathieu Lewis

Honda Fit 2009

It might seem only a short time since Honda introduced the Fit. Yet the company is now introducing a second edition. Truth be known, the previous Fit had been on the market for several years before it arrived in the U.S. market. This time Americans do not have to wait as long to get a new version as the all-new Fit goes on sale in the summer of 2008 as a 2009 model.

Those who thought the previous Fit, known in many parts of the world as the Jazz, was perhaps too small will not be disappointed as the new Fit is a tad larger. This should fit the bill for many who really need a smaller car but perhaps don't want one. How's that for an oxymoron?

Overall, the look of the 2009 Honda Fit is similar to that of the previous model, but it has a much more heavily raked windshield that's located five inches farther forward. Apart from giving the car a more sporty look, it also makes for a much more spacious feel inside.

The 2009 Fit has a wheelbase that's two inches longer than that of the previous model. The new Fit gets an upgraded 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine that produces about 10 percent more horsepower. It's comes with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission; the Sport model's automatic comes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Despite a slight increase in size, the new Fit only weighs a few pounds more and even with an increase in power it is expected to deliver better fuel economy, an impressive achievement.

A key attribute of the Fit is its flexible cargo carrying capability. It has a large rear tailgate that allows easy access to the luggage area. Furthermore, the so-called rear Magic Seat has been further improved so it can now be folded flat in one single movement, without removing the headrest even if the front seats are in their rearmost position. There are several combinations of seating positions to provide flexible storage needs. A new hidden storage bin underneath the driver's side rear seat for placing small items securely out of sight.

The Fit Sport gets larger, 16-inch wheels and an optional Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System features a 6.5-inch screen with voice recognition. All Fit Sport models include a USB audio interface that's compatible with current-generation iPods and many other USB storage devices.

Although the Fit is a small entry-level car it features a full complement of safety features including full curtain side airbags, ABS and electronic brake distribution system. A vehicle stability assist (VSA) system with active headrests is available as an option.

Full specifications and pricing for the new Fit will be available when the car goes on sale in the summer as a 2009 model.


On Sale:
Summer 2008

Expected Pricing:
$14,500 to $16,500