VIDEO: Opel Astra GTC Paris Walk-around

After showing you some vids of the Range Rover Evoque on Friday, today we've got some press clips of Opel's GTC Paris hot hatch concept. First up is an artsy walkaround clip of the new hot hatch, but the more interesting video is the one in which Opel-Vauxhall calligrapher/graphic designer Ingrid Gollong gives us her take on the GTC's lines.

There's also a little bit about the interior, brought to you by Jeanette Finger. Both ladies explain their roles in taking one line from one poem and applying it to the GTC Paris in order to make speed into "pure beauty". If you're interested in a little design, enjoy the films below. For a full look at the 2.0-liter, 290-horsepower GTC Paris, check out our previous post here.

By Phil Alex

New Range Rover Evoque: First Video Footage of 3d SUV on the Move

Land Rover just released some new videos of its upcoming Evoque in motion, and it continues to convince. Interested? Hit the jump for the vids, or head over to our previous post for all the details.

Debuting at next week's Paris Auto Show as a 3-door model (the 5-door's on the way, don't fret), the new mini-Range will get turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines; the 2.2-liter diesels will come in 150-horsepower and 190-horsepower flavors, while the 2.0-liter gasoline engine will put down a still-undisclosed output (where you at, Rover?).

Not only that, but the diesels post some impressive fuel economy numbers as well. How do you feel about 50 mpg Imperial / 41.6 mpg US from the low-output diesel with 4-wheel drive? Good, that's how.

It will be available in both 4-wheel driver and front-wheel drive (a Rover first), come in three trim levels, and provide owners with one very attractive interior. Live shots are on the way.

By Phil Alex

Senner Tuning Presents Nissan 370Z Asphalt Surfer with 365 Ponies [+ Video]

Senner Tuning, probably best known for last year's disastrously named "White Power" RS6, has released pictures and details of its latest project car: the Nissan 370Z Asphalt Surfer.

The German tuning house has modified the 370Z with an ECU tune, sports air filter and cold air intake, boosting power to 365 hp (272 kw) and torque to 400 Nm. Twin 63.5 mm (2.5 inch) sports exhaust, door mirror caps / B-pillars capped in carbon fibre and black painting front / rear splitter round out the exterior package.

Senner has also added 20-inch Barracuda alloys by Tzunamee Racing, which are available in either white or black and wear 9x20" 245/35 R20 rubber at the front and either 10x20" 275/30 R20 or 11x20" with 285/30 R20 rubber at the back.

The interior modifications are more subtle, with carbon fibre added to the instrument barnacle and additional (dash top) gauges.

While you can build up your own 370Z Asphalt Surfer, Senner Tuning said it also offers completed examples of the car.

By Tristan Hankins

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VIDEO: BMW Clip Shows 6-Series Coupe Concept Inside and Out

While not the action-packed video we were hoping for, nevertheless, here are the first official clips of BMW's Concept 6-Series Coupé that will take center stage at the firm's Paris Motor Show stand next week.

The two new promotional videos walk us around the exterior as well as the interior of the Bavarian GT. Despite being billed as a concept, the production version of the 6-Series Coupe, which is expected to arrive in showrooms next year, will only get some minor styling changes such as more subtle tail pipe and exterior mirror designs. Scroll down to watch both videos.

VIDEO: Maserati Quattroporte Hearse on Transport

Someone has turned Maserati's lovely Quattroporte sedan into a tall, bulky hearse, and there's video of it on a trailer below. Regardless of how it looks, it sure puts the Cadillacs used in America to shame. Unlike Ferrari, who has issues with anyone doing anything heinous to their cars (like making a 360 limousine), Maserati apparently doesn't mind too much.

Spotted near Modena by youtube's lambofanX, who usually doesn't film Quattroportes (but we're sure glad he did), it appears as if there's at least one Italian mortuary out there with mad style. This at least seems a little more appropriate for a funeral compared to those funky car coffins we recently showed you. Who knows, maybe Maserati's just prepping a hearse for the Vatican.

If anyone knows what this is for (other than hauling the deceased, that is) and where it's going, feel free to drop us a line.

By Phil Alex

Citroen’s Survolt EV Takes on Agni Z2 Electric Motorcycle in Friendly Race [with Video]

Following its appearance at the Prince of Wales' Start Eco Car Spectacular, Citroen's conceptual Survolt electric racer has gone head-to-head (battery-to-battery?) with the Agni Z2 electric motorcycle at a friendly race held at Thruxton Race Circuit recently.

In the red corner, and behind the wheel of the Citroen Survolt is Le Mans / Touring Car racer Vanina Ickx, daughter of six times Le Mans winner and F1 driver Jacky Ickx.

The carbon fibre bodied Survolt features a tubular chasis and twin electric motors. With 220 kw (30o-horsepower) from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Lotus Elise-sized Survolt can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds. It has a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph) and an estimated range of 200 km (124 miles) from its twin 31kw lithium ion batteries.

In the blue corner, and piloting the Agni Z2 is the fastest woman around the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) course and championship leader in the 2010 TTXGP clean emissions motorcycle race, Jenny Tinmouth.

The Agni Z2 comes with eighty small battery packs and a 50 kw (65-horsepower) electric motor offering a 0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) sprint time of just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 209 km/h (130 mph).

Below are pictures and video of the friendly race, as the two racy women took their electric vehicles around the Thruxton Circuit as part of a joint publicity showing.

By Tristan Hankins

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Aston Martin Drops More Video of its One-77, Confirms Engine Specs

Aston Martin has released a new video (part four of a series, apparently) detailing its One-77 mega-super-hyper car flagship as well as showing it out on the track. Specifications? Sure thing. The 7.3-liter V12 has been officially certified at 750 horsepower and 750 Nm (553.2 lbs-ft) of torque making it -according to the company- the most powerful naturally aspirated road car engine in the world today.

Throughout the video you'll see some beautiful details of the million-dollar (actually £1.25 million) Aston flagship, including the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, says, "The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of."

Come 2011, sheiks, rulers, and Daniel Craig should expect to receive their own customized version from the 77 one-offs Aston intends to build. Hopefully at Paris we'll get a chance to see it in a new color.

By Phil Alex

Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

Opel has taken the wraps off its Vivaro e-Concept plug-in electric van at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The one-off concept was built to demonstrate the benefits of electrification to commercial vehicle operators.

The Vivaro's 111 kw (149 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque and a pure electric range of 100 km (62 miles). An unspecified range extender (possibly one of Opel's common rail turbodiesels) gives the van an additional 300 km (186 mile) range.

By storing the lithium ion batteries under the floor, Opel can offer 5 cubic metres (177 cubic feet) of storage space and the ability to haul 750 kg (1650 lbs) of payload. As with most plug-in vehicles, the batteries can be charged through a standard 230 volt socket.

Chris Lacey, Executive Director of International Operations at Opel / Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles explains the benefits of the e-Concept:

"Electric mobility will allow [commercial vehicle operators] to travel in city areas which are now off-limits to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the range-extender technology makes it possible to use an electric van for normal routine business."

By Tristan Hankins

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New 911 Speedster: Porsche's Blast from the Past, Now on Film

Earlier today, we told you about the all-new 408-horsepower Porsche 911 Speedster that will have its world premiere in Paris on September 30 and hit the streets this December. Now we bring you the first video of the limited edition drop-top 911 with the chopped down windshield and double-bubble hard top, both directly inspired by the original 356 Speedster. Scroll down to watch the official promo.

On a side note, if anyone knows where the video was filmed, leave us a message in the comments section below.

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Nissan Juke Ad: Crossovering to Cross-dressers?

I've watched this bizarre Nissan Juke ad about four times (that I'll admit to), and I still can't for the life of me get the point. For all intents and purposes, it's about dreaming, energy, and possibly angled at people who are emo/hip or worse; all this while the Juke is on your mind. Then your hair gets frizzy and washing machines blow their loads.

As some of you may remember, way back when I first started here my little bio picture appeared to be a gay pirate. That being said, one would think I was far enough outside the box - at least back then - to get this artsy ad, but...nope. I even tried to put myself in the mindset, but still nothing.

There's a nice, calming soundtrack by someone that sounds like Regina Spektor and a few different cross-dressers by my count, but what's the point? Is it just being weird to be weird?

Hand to God, I will deposit $5 US into the PayPal account of the first person to explain this ad in the comments to the point where it makes sense. Otherwise, I'll die thinking that the Juke is a crossover for cross-dressers or something back-alley poetic like that.

By Phil Alex

Via: Thetruthaboutcars

Paris Show Debut for Redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Passat Confirmed

The Paris Motor Show organizers have confirmed the world premiere of the facelifted Volkswagen Passat in both sedan and Estate body styles. Expect the first photos and intel on the revamped Passat to go up just before the grand opening of the show on September 30.

From what we've seen in the spy photos and videos, VW's offering in the mid-size segment will receive significant styling changes to the front and rear ends, including a new hood and grille, plus redesigned bumpers and head lamps / tail lights, for a crisper and more dynamic look.

A plusher cockpit with higher quality materials and a refreshed design is also in the cards. Other changes inside will include new audio and navigation systems as well as the introduction of new extras.

It is believed that for the most part, the current lineup of engines, including the four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel units, will be carried over to the facelifted model.

(Video via: Youtube/AMS)