Porsche Launches Online Builder for Panamera Sedan

ATLANTA — As the 2010 Porsche Panamera nears U.S. shores, the automaker has launched a car configurator of its first sedan on Porsche.com. At the site, visitors can select the model, paint color, interior finish and accessories while pushing the price of their Panamera ever closer to $200,000.

The three models — Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo — range in price from $89,800 to $132,600. When configuring their Porsche, visitors can select from more than 75 options. Among the performance options are Porsche's Dynamic Chassis Control, Variable Assist Power Steering, ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package that adjusts vehicle settings for improved performance.

The Panamera is set to arrive in the States this October. The base model will be equipped with a 400-horsepower V8; the Turbo model increases output to 500 hp.

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Tesla Model S To Appear on Late Show with David Letterman

SAN CARLOS, California — The Tesla Model S will make a high-profile appearance on the CBS Late Show with David Letterman on Wednesday night, April 29, according to the California automaker and the talk show's guest list.

"It will likely be the first fully drivable car to appear on Late Show with David Letterman," according to a statement by Elon Musk, Tesla Motors chairman, product architect and CEO. "I'll be on the show along with the car, and I am looking forward to a lively conversation with Dave, a fellow sports-car aficionado and Tesla fan."

Tesla noted that internal-combustion-engine cars are prohibited from the talk show set due to environmental regulations.

The appearance by the electric automaker on the popular talk show is yet another indication of how the company is carefully steering its products into the popular culture. Model S deliveries are slated to begin in 2012.

Letterman frequently centers his monologue and Top Ten List around cars. On January 16, he took aim at Detroit automakers during the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, saying: "The auto companies are saying they've got new products, new attitudes and they're starting a new chapter. Yeah, Chapter 11."

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Innovations at the Auto Show

From April 10 to April 29, the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City hosted the metropolitan area’s largest annual convention, The New York International Auto Show. Over one million people attended the public exhibition this year, which featured the latest concepts and production models from automobile manufacturers from all over the world. The NY auto show is one of the largest annual auto shows in the world.

Although reports have claimed that this year’s auto shows have been toned down from those of years past, due to the fiscal crisis affecting automobile makers around the world, the event wowed attendees with attractions such as a life-size model of the “Transformers” character Bumblebee, and many consumer-oriented promotions such as $50 gift cards for signing up for test drives at local dealerships. The event also allowed attendees to sit in most floor models; a fan favorite since it allows them to take photographs in their dream cars.

In addition to the expected showings of luxury cars such as Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Bentley models, the auto show featured numerous concept cars which showed where the future of the automotive industry is headed.

Nearly all of the concept cars unveiled boasted hybrid or electric engines — some even included organic fuels, like ethanol. Other new concepts included mini cameras replacing side view and rear view mirrors and the implementation of more technologically advanced computer systems, like Microsoft’s Sync systems, in Ford vehicles.

Autonet Mobile was another innovation that made its way into many of the models shown. Autonet Mobile is a wireless Internet router that sends out a Wi-Fi signal from the car that allows its passengers to access the Internet from any remote location. The technology works on 3G cell-phones and is priced from $29 to $59 a month, depending on usage.
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NY Auto Show: Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition up close

Just over a month ago, General Motors treated us to a few studio shots of the Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition, and most of us were left salivating. Now we are able to get up close and personal with the car as GM had it on show at the NY Auto Show yesterday.

The Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition package has been built from the standard 4LT coupe or convertible, and is a tribute package to celebrate the C6.R’s racing successes. The first thing that hits you is the graphics package, this has been influenced by the racecar’s livery, this can be clearly seen by the including the skull “Jake” logo and driver flags.

Autoblog have noticed a fault with the Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition, it does not have the same drivetrain as the King Corvette. The ebony interior along with the yellow stitching certainly goes well with the GT1 embroidery adorning the instrument panel, seats, armrest and center console.

Chevrolet will build just 600 units, so you will have to be quick to get your hands on one.

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Discovery 4 launched at New York Auto Show

There will be two new engines, jointly developed with Jaguar. These are the TDV6 3.0-litre diesel and V8 supercharged petrol.

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The twin turbo diesel motor offers 600Nm of torque and 245hp – enough to shift the Disco from 0 to 60 in nine seconds. Compared to the existing 2.7-litre that will remain available, the CO2 emissions have been reduced. Land Rover says it can return over 30mpg.

The 2010 Discovery 4 also gets improved suspension, steering, larger brakes and comes with enhanced versions of the Terrain Response and Hill Descent Control systems.

As you would expect, there are also changes to the styling and interior.

There is extensive use of LEDs and the aerodynamics have also been improved. You can have it rolling on twin seven-spoke 19in and even 10-spoke 20in rims.

The Discovery 4, together with the 2010 Range Rover Sport, will be available from this September.

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Z-Car, the Max Headroom Edition

Is it real? Yes, and no surprise there. With the coupe making its debut about a year ago, the roadster’s arrival was inevitable.

What they said: “The new 370Z Roadster lives in the same sweet spot of performance, style and value that the Z Coupe does,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager of Nissan division. “Open-air driving just begs for open roads and the new 370Z convertible is the perfect companion.”

What they didn’t say: The Roadster seems to have put on a few pounds. Quite a lot of structural reinforcement was needed to achieve the necessary chassis stability and body rigidity. The hood, door panels and trunk lid are aluminum to help offset some of that bulk.

What makes it tick? The same 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 in the coupe, mated to a 7-speed automatic or a SynchroRev Match 6-speed manual. The Roadster gets 25 m.p.g. on the highway, a slight drop from the 26 m.p.g. coupe.

How much, how soon? No pricing yet, but convertibles usually carry a premium of about $6,000 above the coupes, which now start at $30,000. It’ll be at dealers in time for fall-color drives.

How’s it look? A topless Z? The premise sounds tantalizing. But a soft top is hard to execute without spoiling the coupe’s synergistic shape. This version does a better job than previous iterations of the Z convertible. To be safe, stylingwise, just leave the top down.

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Chrysler in cost-cut union deal

Chrysler is one of the three troubled US carmakers

Chrysler has reached an outline cost-cutting deal with its main US union as it continues efforts to restructure the business before a key deadline.

The US government has told the carmaker it will be given a further $6bn (£4bn) of vital state loans if the restructuring is completed by 30 April.

Without the extra funds Chrysler may have to enter bankruptcy protection.

The government is also demanding that Chrysler refinances its debts and secures an alliance with Italy's Fiat.

Falling sales

Chrysler wants staff to accept pay cuts and shorter working hours.

While the United Auto Workers union has accepted a deal in principle, its 26,800 members at Chrysler still have to formally vote on the proposal, the exact details of which have not been released.

Chrysler secured a $4bn loan from the US government in January, and has since gained $500m more.

Fellow Big Three US car firm General Motors (GM) has also received multi-billion government loans. While Ford has yet to require any money, the government has agreed to give it financial support, should it be needed.

Chrysler, GM and Ford have all seen sales slump in their home market as the recession has intensified.

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