2008 Volkswagen Bora Debuts At China.

Design and dimensions
In a world premiere, the FAW Volkswagen joint venture is presenting the New Bora at Auto China 2008 – a very independently designed mid-class sedan with first-class workmanship. This successor to the successful Bora was once again systematically adapted to the wishes of Chinese customers. Visually, German and Chinese design influences merge in this front-wheel drive car.
Clearly indicative of Volkswagen ‘design DNA’ are characteristics such as the muscular and clear modulations, an unmistakable C-pillar, the trapezoidal line of the headlights, the typical V shaped radiator grille that is integrated in the lines of the engine hood, and the car’s timeless impression.
Simultaneously, the New Bora takes on Chinese elements like the lion dance in its prominent visual alliance of headlamps, radiator grille and bumpers. The design of the rear corresponds to that of the front mask. No less typical is the high waist line, which emphasizes – from a purely visually perspective as well – the excellent passive safety of the New Bora.
Also typical of Volkswagen are the New Bora’s impressive quality of workmanship, high level of active safety, great comfort, intuitive controls and very good interior space. Its size classification: with a length of 4,540 millimeters and a width of 1,775 millimeters the New Bora is close in size to the European Jetta. The height of the Volkswagen is 1,467 millimeters. One reason for the extraordinarily good interior space is the car’s long wheelbase of 2,610 millimeters. The 450 liter cargo area also offers multi-variable utility.
Engines
At its market introduction, FAW Volkswagen will be offering the New Bora with two modern Euro-4 gasoline engines. Both engines are distinguished by very refined performance and low fuel consumption. The four cylinder engines can be paired with a six-speed automatic (Tiptronic) as an option.
Two equipment lines
“Trendline” and “Comfortline”. Even the base version, the “Trendline”, has standard features that include ABS, driver and front passenger airbags, power steering, power windows, climate control system and a CD-Radio (MP3-capable). Also on-board in the New Bora Comfortline are 15-inch alloy wheels, sliding sunroof, chrome package, anti-theft warning system, cruise control and parking sensors. In addition, the top version is differentiated by an extended list of optional features. They include leather seats, side and head airbags and a navigation system.

2008 Aston Martin Dominates Silverstone.

Aston Martin triumphed in both GT1 and GT4 categories in front of a 25,000-strong crowd in the first race of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone over the weekend.
In poor weather with heavy fog and rain, the famous Tourist Trophy was won by Karl Wendlinger and Ryan Sharp in the number 33 Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9. Allan Simonsen and Philipp Peter finished 3rd in the Gigawave DBR9 after holding off intense competition in a thrilling climax to the race.The second Jetalliance car driven by Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer and Alex Muller claimed an excellent 6th place after starting from 9th on the GT1 grid.Karl Wendlinger said: “It has been an incredibly tough race in very difficult conditions. Both the wet tyres and the intermediates were degrading quickly during my stints. And then also my spin – but still it worked out okay. Ryan has performed superbly today and won the race for us. A perfect season opener!”
Ryan Sharp commented: “I desperately wanted to win here at Silverstone of all places. Now the feeling is just incredible. We had a perfect car and perfect teamwork.”
In GT3 where six Aston Martin DBRS9s were in action, Brixia Racing in their debut race achieved the highlight result claiming a 3rd place podium finish in race one.
The new GT4 category for production-standard race cars saw Aston Martins victorious in both races, with Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof in the Jetalliance Vantage N24 taking victory in Saturday’s race. The final race on Sunday saw eight Vantage N24s start on the grid and in a gripping tussle for the lead, Jamie Smyth in the Beechdean N24 triumphed over the 2nd placed Mustang on the final lap.
Klaus Engelhorn took 3rd and Jurgen Van Hover finished 4th.David King, Head of Product Communications and Motorsport, Aston Martin said: “We are very proud of the achievements of all the Aston Martin teams across all four classes of GT racing this weekend.
“Jetalliance has made a perfect start to their FIA GT1 campaign and their support for GT4 really paid off too with a great win for Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof in his debut race in one of four Jetalliance-entered Vantage N24s.
“The 3rd place in GT1 for the Gigawave team was an amazing achievement in their first GT1 season and in GT3 the competition was incredible, with 50 cars from nine different marques battling it out, making a debut 3rd place finish for the Brixia team all the more special.”Meanwhile in the American Le Mans Series in Long Beach, Paul Drayson and Johnny Cocker successfully drove the brand new Drayson-Barwell Vantage GT2 to its maiden race finish

2008 ART Mercedes-Benz S-Class Two-Tone.

An A.R.T. tuned Mercedes-Benz S class. Extravagant and brilliant brown-beige two-tone design with a horizontal pinstripe along its outside body. Inside, almost every available surface has been clothed in intricately hand-worked leather.

2008 Alfa Launches Spider Limited Edition

Perfectly timed for summer, Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, has extended the head turning Alfa Spider range with a limited edition version. Complete with £3000 worth of extra features at no extra cost, the Alfa Spider Limited Edition effortlessly unites the head and heart with dramatic effect.
The Alfa Spider Limited Edition features a choice of four color combinations, alloy wheels, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated memory front seats and door mirrors. Yet the price remains a cool £25,500. The extra features include Italian Frau® leather upholstery and the unique Blue&Me™ hands-free system with voice recognition and media player.
Bespoke colours for the Alfa Spider Limited Edition include a Carbonio Black version with a natural leather upholstery while the Alfa Red exterior paintwork is matched to a black leather interior. The super-cool Ghiaccio White color scheme comes with a choice of either black or natural leather upholstery. For added driver and passenger comfort, these leather seats are heated to keep the occupant warm whilst the roof is down on early morning starts or late night drives.
Equipped with 19” spoked alloy wheels, the limited edition Alfa Spider looks purposeful and powerful. Under the bonnet the 2.2 JTS petrol engine produces 185bhp and powers the Alfa Spider from 0 - 62mph in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph.

Audi TTS Official Safety Car for 2008 Tourist Trophy Motorcycle Races.

For the first time in more than 100 years, a car sharing the same name as the world’s oldest car races - the TT - will become the official car at the famous Tourist Trophy motorcycle races next month on the Isle of Man.
The latest and most powerful model in the iconic Audi TT range – the new 272PS TTS – will make a fittingly dynamic debut in Britain. The most powerful ever production Audi TT coupe to date has been chosen by the TT organisers as the prestigious “Official Car” at this year’s world-famous event which runs from 24 May-6 June.
Audi paid homage to the legendary Tourist Trophy motorsport event of the same name in naming its “TT” sportscar. It is an event in which machines from one of its founding companies competed with considerable success in the spectacular Tourist Trophy race which was first staged on the Isle of Man in 1905.
Peter Duffy, Audi UK’s Head of Marketing, commented: “Having been supporters of the British Super Bike championship in recent years, we’re now delighted to be associated with the Isle of Man TT races and to be able to play an active part in this world famous event.
“The Isle of Man held the very first Tourist Trophy event in Britain and became an integral part of Audi’s heritage in its days with NSU. We look forward to writing the next chapter in our company’s history with the public showing of the new Audi TTS on the island.”
For two weeks of every year the eyes of the world focus on the Isle of Man as the finest motorcycle road racers spectacularly pit their skills against the 37¾ miles of public roads. Audi UK is supplying eight cars from its impressive product range to manage the running of the event including vital course inspection and roads opening duties.
Adrian Earnshaw, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government, commented: “It is a great opportunity to have Audi as our Official Car Partner especially considering the Audi TT sportscar is named after the TT motorsport event dating back over 100 years”.
The Audi TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and was immediately lauded for its ultra-modern, yet seemingly timeless, interpretation of classic sports car design. It was created in homage to the legendary motorsport event of the same name, in which riders from NSU, one of the four companies which joined forces to form Audi, began campaigning in 1911.
Audi has a rich motorsport heritage and the brand continues to enjoy great success in the disciplines in which it competes to this day. Apart from its early activities involving NSU and the Auto Union Grand Prix cars, Audi has been involved more recently in world rallying – changing the face of the sport with its quattro four-wheel-drive – and in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, which it has already conquered twice with its history-making diesel-powered sports-prototypes.
The Tourist Trophy was first held on the Isle of Man in 1905 but its roots stretch back further. Gordon Bennett donated a trophy and organised a contest to compare the performance of products from the American and European motor industries. The first Gordon Bennett race was held in 1900, on a 352-mile course from Paris to Lyon. In 1902 the finish line was moved from Lyon to Innsbruck in Austria, and in 1903 the race moved to Ireland. England was the next venue planned for 1904, but the ban on road races had not yet been lifted here so the Automobile Club of Great Britain decided to switch the venue to the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea. The Gordon Bennett race took place there for the first time on May 10th, 1904. A year later the first two Tourist Trophy races were held, one in May for motorcycles and the other in September for cars.