ALL AUTOCARS

BMW has taken the liberty of releasing a new 2007 X5. It has improved it's good looks from the previous model and has a host of great new features and technology.

The engines boast more power, and use less fuel thanks to lighter materials, smarter technology and seven years of diligence.

The new inline six cylinder engine generates 260 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, while the eight cylinder, 4.8-liter engine offers 350 hp and 350 lb-ft torque. The six cylinder was previously rather underpowered, so the new engine is going to make it a swift performer.

For the first time, the all new X5 offers the convenience of a third row seat, which is really a must in the USA in this day and age. The interior offers more cargo space than the previous generation and a wealth of premium features. Enjoy ventilated leather seats with 20-way adjustments and 10 interior fans to keep you cool and comfortable. Cup holders large enough for any appetite. (BMW has not been very good at cup holders up to date)

BMW has even added the option of a rearview camera to make backing up extra safe.

This vehicle is going to sell very well. I am wondering what the new version of the hi-po 4.8is will be? Maybe they will shoehorn the Alpina supercharged V8 into it at 500hp for humor?

It has been announced by GM CEO Rick Wagoner that Chevrolet will bring back the iconic muscle car the Camaro in 2009.

I hope that the car will be similar to the spectacular concept vehicle I viewed at the LA auto show earlier this year. Initial production will begin at the end of 2008, and retail sales will start in the first quarter of 2009.

I am guessing that the car will be powered by a 5.7 V8 similar to that of the standard Corvette available now. Hopefully Chevrolet make use of the 505hp V8 from the Corvette ZO6 in the Camaro possibly as the SS model.... This Camaro is very good looking, and with the right technology and power to weight ratio it will sell very well.

Chevrolet stopped producing the fast and sleek car in the 2002 model year after a run that began in 1967.

After 113 Grand Prix starts Englishman Jenson Button with Honda finally wins a race.

Congratulations.... Well deserved.

Both Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher had to retire from todays race, along with Kimi who started from pole position in Hungary....

A magnificent race indeed.

It is rumored that BMW F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve could be heading for NASCAR next year. This was recently reported in the Journal de Montreal newspaper. The story suggested that Villeneuve has already signed a pre contract with a NASCAR team conditional on him not finding an F1 drive. He would spend one season racing in the Busch Series and then move into the Nextel Cup in 2008. The existence of a deal has been denied by Villeneuve, but it is clear that there is contact with NASCAR teams.

It has been said before, but with what is happening in Hungary at the moment with the 3rd driver replacing Jacques, there seems to be very little chance of Villeneuve returning to F1 again.

This would really boost the ratings of NASCAR with Juan Pablo Montoya already confirmed with Ganassi NASCAR next year. Nothing like seeing Jacques and JPM wheel to wheel.

Plus the money is very good in NASCAR and you can race well into your 40's.

Way to go I guess, although F1 wont be the same without Villeneuve and Montoya.

Dallas Texas USA... Panda Ethanol Inc. announced that its Hereford subsidiary has successfully completed the debt financing on its 100 million gallon ethanol plant in Hereford, Texas. The company will immediately begin facility construction on the 380-acre site and anticipates ethanol production to commence in the second half of 2007.

The first of its kind facility will generate the steam used to manufacture ethanol by gasifying more than 1 billion pounds of cow manure a year, making it one of the most fuel efficient ethanol refineries in the nation. Once completed, it will be the largest biomass fueled ethanol plant in the United States.

This is fantastic news. Not only is the manure plentiful in Hereford, but when the process is finished you have Ethanol, warm water and ash which can be used for making concrete. The plant is expected to be 90% self sufficient.

I have been posting on Ethanol before, and I must say that the Govt of NZ should be closely watching and learning about Panda Ethanol Inc. It would not hurt NZ to start up an self sufficient ethanol plant that will provide renewable fuel for locals without relying on foreign oil.

Hereford has been dubbed the Saudi Arabia of dung.... At least a company with some ingenuity has taken advantage of the situation.

Shouldn't NZ be working on something like this too?

This is an idea of what the supposed upcoming Bugatti Veyron beating Porsche GT1 might look like. If it gets the green light it expect to see it around 2009. The GT1 is expected to be a 950bhp street legal version of Porsche's future Le Mans racer. The beast is expected to use the Carrera GT's carbon fiber frame with a new nose and tail. The GT1's top speed should be about 254 mph, 2 mph more than the Veyron.

No one except people at Porsche knows whether the GT1's powerplant will be a turbocharged version of the Carrera GT's V10 or a bored out, twin turbo version of the Cayenne S's V8, or something else. It seems likely that Porsche wants to take the podium of fastest car from the Bugatti Veyron. I wait the outcome.

Holden has unveiled the all new VE Commodore range. The car is the first vehicle based on GM's Zeta global rear wheel drive platform designed by Holden for use in GM vehicles. There is a strong likelihood of it underpinning the new Chevrolet Camaro. Holden's sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne. Holden also used the event to introduce its new V Series (reminiscent of Cadillac), enabling the company to offer extra variants under the SS and Calais nameplates as well as special edition models. Details and gallery after the jump.

The 2006 Holden Commodore range is as follows:

Omega (new) 3.6L V6, peak power 241 hp (180kW), peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic

Berlina 3.6L V6, peak power 241 hp (180kW), peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic

SV6 3.6L V6, peak power 262 hp (195kW), peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual

SS 6.0L V8, peak power 362 hp (270kW), peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual

SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 362 hp (270kW), peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual

Calais 3.6L V6, peak power 262 hp (195kW), peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic

Calais V (new) 3.6L V6, peak power 262 hp (195kW), peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic

Now with 362 hp in the good old SS and Calais, I am very intersted to see if HSV will be able to use the 505HP engine used in the magnificent Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 for one of it's next releases?

I have always liked the Commodore, the VE looks particularly good, although the rear end might take a week or two to get used too....... Roll them out Holden.