Nippon style bumper kit - UPDATE Skirts pictures

The Skirts don't fit really well

Price:
front €279
back €269
skirt €159

More HERE

Thx EJS for the tip, Thx Franzz for the pictures

Frankfurt Auto Show: 2010 Citroen C3

The popular Citroen C3 supermini is a great success, over two million models delivered worldwide. To continue the success, the company comes with the 2010 Citroen C3, which follows so much of the outgoing car.

When compared to previous versions, the 2010 Citroen C3 has a sportier edge that lends the car a more dynamic, yet robust appearance. The rounded shape remained. The Citroen C3 is quite more spacious with wider track. Measuring 3.94m long and 1.71m wide, it is surprising that it offers 300 liters of boot space. Buyers also can opt to have C3’s ‘Zenith’ windscreen, which runs over into the roof.

Inside, the new Citroen C3 offers USB connection, iPod and Bluetooth functionality and satellite navigation.

From launch, an HDi 90 powered version will be available emitting just 99g/km CO2 – the first full production Citroën to emit less than 100g/km. Whilst the arrival of new power plants from 2011, incorporating second-generation Stop & Start technology, will see diesel versions emitting as little as 90g/km CO2, to be followed by new generation three-cylinder petrol engines with less than 100g/km CO2.

The new 2010 Citroen C3 is set to arrive in the UK from early 2010. However, it’s really a pity that we can't buy Citroens in America anymore.

2009 Lexus GS 450h Pictures

Lexus GS 450h enters its third model year as still the only hybrid-powered luxury sport sedan in its segment. With its advanced technology, high performance and indulgent luxury, the rear-wheel-drive 2008 GS 450h is the premium model in the GS series.The Lexus GS 450h is not a car, it's a decadent lifestyle. I had it wrong, Lexus drivers aren't bad at all. They're spoiled in a way we all want to be.The GS 450h begins at $56,400 and goes up from there. The hybrid powertrain also enhances performance, but doesn't seem to help much at the pump. I averaged 24 miles per gallon in mixed driving, which is on par with the EPA rating of 22 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Naturally, this thoroughbred requires premium fuel.

2009 Lexus GS 450h Pace Car

Lexus GS 450h safety car will make its debut at the annual Muscle Car Masters, held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway on September 6, 2009.Lexus GS 450h the world's first volume production performance hybrid sedan - has become Australia's first hybrid pace car.Lexus GS 450h features a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, paired to an electric motor system, delivering 254kW of power, while using 7.9 litres of fuel per 100 km.The powerful Lexus Hybrid Drive system propels GS 450h from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

Fiat Bravo Coming in Late 2009

Fiat Bravo

Expected in Late 2009

Estimated price: Rs 18-25 lakh (estimated)

The Fiat Bravo is Fiat's new small family car that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. The car was designed by the Fiat style centre and Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr was involved in engineering most of the car’s body and fittings.

Once the Bravo is launched in India, it will the most expensive hatchback in the country. The idea behind launching this car is not to generate big sales numbers but rather to create a strong brand image with a high quality and truly world class product.

The Bravo in India will have a 1910cc, 16-valve turbocharged multijet engine. Developing an immense 150bhp@4000 rpm, the car will cover 0-100kph in about 9 seconds. The Bravo is a luxurious hatchback, with interiors to match.

Specs (Speculated)

Engine location: Front
Positioning: Transverse
Engine: 1910cc, turbocharged multijet engine
Max. Power: 150bhp @4000rpm
Length: 4020mm
Width: 1750mm
Height: 1420mm
Wheelbase: 2540mm

Best Lexus RX450h LXH

Here’s a big car that gives you more, much more, and pretends to be taking away less. Expensive, beautifully equipped, stacked with brainy hybrid technology, it’s hard to understand as anything more than a conceit. Yet for its striving for perfection alone, I loved driving it.

The hybrid system operates mainly in Eco mode which allows the electronic controller to shuttle between electric and petrol engine operation, and it’s almost totally seamless. Ev or electric only mode gives just a kilometre or two of silent-only operation. Pulling away mutes throttle response to give near silent going, but hooligans can hoof it and blow away the intent of all those azure ‘hybrid’ badges.

Fit and finish is superb as you’d expect from a R770 000 range-topping machine, and the LXH version has full array of toys including sophisticated camera-based PDC, full leather, superb 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, heated seats, electric sunroof and auto open/close boot. All useful for making the driving experience less of a chore. Lose these specifics and you have the R70k cheaper SX version. The main media interface includes a HDD navi system operated primarily through a mouse-like haptic device which is the Lexus version of MMI and iDrive. It’s a bit fussy in operation, perhaps less intuitive when there aren’t many menus to scroll through, and difficult in traffic. It works like a damped action trackball on the large format screen, with options selected via a side click. The navigation default (if you like it like that) and menu can both be accessed via two override buttons, and options can be scrolled through with a discreet up and down arrow rocker switch. But it still feels like a system that’s clawing for a point of difference rather than making a stride forward in the ergonomics department. I’m sure its fine when you have most of your defaults sorted. For me, I still find it easier to whizz through menus using a spin and push-to-select dial in the Merc, BM and Audi tradition.

For a large car with a heft of two tonnes, the handling is surprisingly good. The ride is soft without being wallowy, it goes where you point the lightly weighted steering with some precision, and while no racer by any stretch, it will handle the yumps and twists of any daily commute with aplomb and the absolute minimum of mechanical reminder. This car is seriously hushed. It feels sorted, secure and solidly engineered. After all, Toyota’s been making big SUVs for years and this one carries forward the brand’s association with finesse.

Styling is surely a little generic – following the sloping back cues that have given Nissan’s Infiniti its appeal stateside, where the RX450h is no doubt going to find its biggest market. The imposing shovelhead front is good for carving through the lesser traffic. It’s still not pretty, and especially not that sharp frontal point underlined by the chin protector panels. But it contrives to look wide and substantial from behind and dead ahead, though the broad flanks and steeply raked rear roof line help to shrink the silhouette of the vehicle. It’s big, and majors on space inside, yet doesn’t look it from all angles.

Technology is a tour de force, though why it’s all necessary is another question. A whoofling 3.5 litre V6 producing 183kW/317Nm is the main event, which can kick the plot along at a credible pace if you stomp the right foot and keep the irritating CVT (continuously variable transmission) locked on the larger end of the cone, but for the most part you have to pootle along if you want fuel economy. Strident foot kicking brings out upper 11 litres/100km averages, the gentler approach can bring in mid-sevens as battery power helps subsidise things on start-up and slowdown, the latter through a regenerative braking system. Essentially it’s a front-driver with one electric motor/generator coupled to the petrol and acting as a starter/battery generator, plus another 123kw/335Nm driving the front wheels via a transaxle, and a third 50kW/139Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels only when front traction is lost, activated electronically rather than via a mechanical linkage. Total ‘system’ output is rated at 220kW. It’s no radical four-wheeler, but the ground clearance is good, and it should be capable of soaking up a few muddy roads.

As a commuter it seems quite over the top. An automotive oxymoron, if you like. Here’s this great hulking SUV that’s at the same time desperately trying to make a green statement with its expensive technology that cuts fuel consumption and emissions to that of an average sedan. It might make you feel better about the bulk and bombast, even if ultimately it’s a joke on the planet-saving index.

LEXUS RX450h LXE

HOW MUCH ?	R769 300
ON SALE	Now
ENGINE	3.5 litre 24v V6, 183kW @ 6000rpm, 317Nm @ 4800rpm; front motor 123kW/335Nm, rear motor 50Kw/139Nm; system total 220kW
TRANSMISSION	E-CVT continuously variable transmission, part-time four-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE	7.8sec 0-100kph, 200kph, 6.3 ℓ/100km, 148g/km CO2
HOW HEAVY/MADE OF?	1975-2085kg/steel
HOW BIG (LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT)?	4770/1885/1685mm

remarkable discovery

We all remember Lance bouncing back to win more than six titles on the Tour, but do you remember Les tricolores overcoming a 14 point deficit in the ‘99 World Cup semi-final, beating the mighty All Blacks 43-31?

No, what about our very own Gary Player, winning the World Matchplay tournament at Wentworth in 1965, after trailing by seven holes?

Still no, well one comeback we all should be young enough to remember is that of Land Rover’s Discovery from vehicular villain to versatile victor of 100 international awards it has accumulated since the Discovery3 was launched. Although the issues that characterised the Discovery2 still leave a bitter German aftertaste for some, the new fourth generation builds on the more reliable Disco3 chassis. Under its Ford foster parents, the 3 made huge strides in improving their Customer Service Index ratings (think JD Power) and restoring trust in their brand and product reliability.

Unlike the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover SA have opted for an all new engine line-up for the Discovery4 including a new 3.0 TDV6 (available in S, SE and HSE trim), as well as a petrol 5.0 V8 HSE. The new direct injection V8 delivers 25% more power and 19% more torque than the previous 4.4-litre powerplant, accelerating the big 4 from 0-100kph in 7.6secs.

The pick of the range however is the twin turbo oil burner, the new 3.0 TDV6. Compared to the previous 2.7-litre diesel, the new six potter offers a 9 % improvement in fuel economy (EU combined cycle) and 10% less CO2 emissions, while increasing power by 29%. Torque increases by 36% to 600Nm, offering a claimed 0-100 kph time of 9.6 secs, which is a 24% improvement over the previous 2.7-litre.

Onroad body roll and dive under braking has been reduced thanks to stiffer and larger anti-roll bars, while the centre of gravity has also been lowered by 42mm at the front and 62mm at the rear for better mid corner poise and straight-line stability.

Off the beaten track is still where the Discovery excels though, boasting a wading depth of 700mm (in offroad mode) and the same technical enhancements as the new Range Rover Sport. These include a 'sand launch control' function which sets speed-dependent wheel-slip targets for the traction control system to permit only very limited wheel-slip on pull away. There is also a new Gradient Release Control function on the Hill Descent Control (HDC) system that reduces the lurch one feels when braking is released while descending very steep inclines, offering better control at extreme angles.

The rock crawl program also now applies a low level brake pressure when the vehicle is in first or reverse gear at speeds below 5kph, reducing the vehicle's roll tendency and the intervention of the traction control system, for a more composed drive over rocky terrain.

The Discovery4 also adopts the Sport’s exterior design with simpler surfaces at the front, including a more aerodynamic front bumper and LED lighting both front and rear. On the down side, the position of the full size spare wheel has not been addressed and remains under the rear load bay. Land Rover’s designers have also done away with the protection of the black plastic side mouldings, due to customer feedback in the US. These strips offered protection from scratches - when traversing thick bush, forests and thornveld - and aren’t even available optionally.

The hard wearing and durable plastics on the interior have also made way for more luxurious materials, to meet the cosmetic demands of the US market. While new executive toys like a keyless entry system and the Push Button start feature on the Discovery’s standard specification list, items of greater use include: a new 360-degree surround camera system (which relays views from five digital cameras to the touch-screen on the revised dashboard for easier navigation and manoeuvrability in tight confines and Trailer Stability Assist. This towing aid detects and rectifies trailer oscillations and swing by reducing engine torque and making braking interventions to bring the towed vehicle back under control.

Pricing of the new Discovery4 will be released at the vehicle's local launch toward the end of Oct 2009