Lorinser ML Black & White Based on ML 320 CDI.

Not much of a revelation in terms of tuning, but Lorinser has issued a slight twist on the Mercedes ML-320 CDI package. Branded as the ML Black & White, Lorinser has taken a white ML and slapped on some matte black 22-inch wheels, painted the exhaust tips and grille matte black and tinted the windows. Paint guns aside, the 320 V6 CDI engine gets bumped up from 165 kW/224 hp and 510 Nm to 192 kW/261 hp and 580 Nm.

Opel Widens its Range of Models in China

China’s car market is blossoming with 8.5 million vehicles sold in 2007. With a growing middle class, personal transportation is paramount for the developing nation whose economy grew to 11% in 2007. With 85 percent of all vehicles four-door sedans, Opel is expanding to meet demand. Considered a premium niche brand in China, Opel’s Astra GTC with panoramic roof was recently named “Most Fashionable Vehicle” by China’s Trade Center for Automobile Imports and sina.com, the largest Chinese web portal. Opel’s 3,700 cars sold in China last year pales in comparison to other German brands but when considering the overall General Motors picture with 12% market share, Opel’s growth potential is big. Opel predicts sales to expand as new models are introduced like the most recent Opel Astra notchback which was just unveiled in Auto China 2008. The current network of 38 dealerships will be expanded to 45 by the end of this year.

Fifth Peugeot Design Competition Announced!

For the fifth time Peugeot is holding their futuristic design competition. Last year the Flux, designed by 20-year old Romanian Mihai Panaitescu, won the competition and was built as a concept car and eventually shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Besides eternal glory, winning the competition also came with a 6,000 Euro check.
This year the competition is themed as “Imagine a Peugeot for the Megalopolis of Tomorrow”. Designers from all over the world (aged over 14 mind you) can enter their concepts as long as they integrate four specific dimensions, namely environmental friendliness, social harmony, interactive mobility and economic efficiency.
Peugeot has bumped up the reward for the winner to Euro 10,000 and an XBOX 360 games console. The 29 runners-up will also be receiving prizes. Entries can be submitted starting 30 May 2008 to 20 July 2008, a jury will then select their 30 favorite designs so that the a popularity vote (15 August through 15 September 2008) can be held on the internet and a top ten will be revealed on 16 September 2008.
At the Paris Motor Show on 2 October 2008 Peugeot will announce the winner of the competition so that the concept can go into development for a 2009 Shanghai Motor Show in China global debut.

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.