Suzuki Alto Dresses Like a Fish for International Green Week Fair in Berlin

Being the only car manufacturer that will participate at the forthcoming International Green Week in Berlin, Suzuki wants to make a splash at the fair with a custom made Alto. The Japanese automaker covered its mini car in a vinyl wrap (or at least it looks like a wrap) with a design that imitates fish scales and to top it off, they also added a... tail fin. Billed as the world's largest fair for food, agriculture and horticulture, the International Green Week runs from January 15 to 24 in Berlin.

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/suzuki-alto-dresses-like-fish-for.html

Toyota Etios Low-Cost Small Car Concept Spied at New Delhi Auto Show Floor?

In less than 24 hours, Toyota will take the covers off its new small car concept at the New Delhi motor show in India, but spy photos of the pre-production concept model (or at it least it is claimed that it this is the firm's concept car) from the exhibition center have already made their way on Facebook. Even though initial reports made word only of the sedan model, the pictures also show a five-door hatchback version.

As we told you in our previous (video) post on the model, media reports from India suggest that the Toyota's proposal for a low-cost small car will be called the Etios and will be offered with both diesel and gasoline engines.

It is understood that the production version of the Etios will first go on sale in India this year and then in other emerging markets such as Russia and South America. We'll have the Full Monty on the Toyota Etios on Tuesday.

Source: Facebook , Via: Autoincar

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/toyota-etios-low-cost-small-car-concept.html

Used Saab Prices Drop in the UK, but Experts Say it Won't Last Long

It's only logical that consumers either turn away or are more cautious price-wise when it comes to buying a used car from a brand that has an unsure future like Saab. And while many people are patiently waiting to see what's going to happen with the Swedish carmaker, "Used Car Expert Magazine" says that used Saab prices in the UK have been falling for the past 18 months.

As an example, the magazine says that the average price for a two-year-old Saab 9-3 2.0t has dropped from close to £14,000 in the January '09 to just over £11,000 in January '10.

"The Saab brand has long been under-supported by GM in the UK and dealers have been discounting stock to get rid of it - most notably Stratstone who have been advertising a half million pound Saab stock clearance," said the magazine's Editor, Matt Tumbridge.

However, Tumbridge believes that the price drop is only temporary and that used Saabs will go up again.

"Prices won't be soft forever, even if they close it down. Rovers, which are nowhere near as good, are now very firm in terms of used car residuals. Saab have a following, are close to BMW in terms of style, performance, comfort. It's lunacy that prices have been so soft so long and as soon as Saab's future is clear, prices will firm up. Now is the time to buy," Tumbridge said.

According to the magazine, a 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0t with average mileage of 12,000 can be yours for £11,000 - £14,000 (more than £10,000 down from a new one) while 2006 year model with 40,000 average miles can be had in the UK from as low as £7,000.

In comparison, the magazine says that a £7,000 budget will only buy you a 2003 3-Series at best. For a 2006 BMW 320i ES (2.0-liter, four cylinder model with 150HP) with average mileage of 29,000, prices are said to start from around £11,500 but the magazine claims that £14,000 is a more realistic price.

Source: Used Car Expert - Today's exchange rate: 1 British Pound = 1.62 USD

2008 SAAB 9-3 GALLERY

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/used-saab-prices-drop-in-uk-but-experts.html

Nissan Skyline GT-R Station Wagon Mash up with Stagea Body, Previous GT-R Engine and First-Gen GT-R Front End

This isn't the first time we've seen a custom-made Nissan GT-R Station Wagon - check out this gem with the new R35 GT-R front-end and the M35 Stagea body- but it's certainly one of the weirdest creations put together yet. Made by Japan's Roadster Garage, which we first heard about with the MX-5 / Miata-based Toyota 2000GT speedster and the Nissan 240Z-based Toyota 2000GT Coupe replicas, the car is called the Hakoste.

It combines the body of a Nissan Stagea, commonly referred to as the Skyline wagon, with the front-end of the first-generation Skyline GT-R (1969-1972), the second-gen Skyline GT-R's (1972-1977) body trim and tail lamps, and the RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six powerplant of the R32-R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs.

We don't have any other details on the conversion as the Japanese tuner / builder has yet to publish any information on its official website, but we'll keep you posted if we find anything new.

Via: Kyushakai , 7tune & Minkara

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/nissan-skyline-gt-r-station-wagon-mash.html

VIDEO: Aston Martin goes Viral with Cygnet Mini

To begin with, there's no official information about this short film, but unless someone managed to sneak into Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, we have to assume that the British supercar maker and soon-to-become a re-badger of Japanese minis, created the viral video to ignite some online attention on its controversial Cygnet mini.

The Aston Martin-ized Toyota iQ is shown towards the end of the clip and after a minute or so of some guys practicing the French freestyle/urban sport of Parkour that involves negotiating obstacles using just the human body.

To gear heads like ourselves, this film makes as much sense as Aston Martin's decision to go ahead with the Cygnet project... Video after the break.

Via: Autoblog.com

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-aston-martin-goes-viral-with.html

Audi Q7 Uber-Stretched Limo with Gullwing Style Doors

Limo builders in the States love going to extremes with their creations. A perfect example is this 2010 Audi Q7 stretch-limousine conversion that can fit up to 16 passengers. Open the gullwing doors and you'll be greeted by an interior that reeks of alcohol disco bling with neon lights, flat screen TVs, alligator and snake upholstery, and get this - a fishtank... Bling yourselves to death in the photo gallery after the jump.

Link: Royaluxury

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/audi-q7-uber-stretched-limo-with.html

VIDEO: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan Spied in the U.S.A

Volkswagen is continuing the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter model in North America, the 2011 Jetta that was captured here undergoing testing in Death Valley California. The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.

Underneath the skin, the German firm's new compact-size sedan will most likely use bits and pieces from the Golf VI which in turn is largely based on the fifth-generation Golf.

In the States, we'll definitely see the 2011 Jetta being offered with VW's latest 2.0 TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Even though there have been rumors circulating about VW's lively yet fuel efficient 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder petrol with outputs ranging from 122HP to 170HP, chances are the Germans will continue to equip the base model with the outdated, but cheap to produce, 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol.

Edmunds reported that the VW's Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla challenger could make its auto show debut as early as this month's gathering in Detroit, but this has yet to be confirmed by Volkswagen.

Via: Edmunds

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-2011-vw-jetta-sedan-spied-in-usa.html

2010MY Chrysler 300C: New Model Line-up goes on Sale in the UK

If Chrysler keeps on schedule, then we'll be seeing the redesigned 300 sedan making its market debut in the U.S. and other countries sometime in the second half of the year. But for now, Chrysler's UK division has announced a new model-line up of its mid-size sedan for Britain. The new 2010 300C range will now offer four derivatives, the 300C SE, SR and SRT that are powered by 215HP 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, and the SRT-8 fitted with a 425HP 6.1-litre V8 HEMI petrol engine.

The new entry-level 300C, the diesel-powered SE, is priced from £23,995 (approx. US$38,900) on the road.

Standard features include leather seats, ESP, ABS, front, rear and side-curtain airbags, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, front fog lamps, parking sensors (front and rear), Xenon headlamps and rain-sensing windscreen wipers,18-inch alloys and an in-car entertainment system with CD player and MP3 capability and a six speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.

The 300C SR is priced at £24,995. In addition to the SE grade, SR models feature auto-dimming rear view mirror, upgraded Boston Acoustics sound system including subwoofer and uconnect GPS, uconnect phone with voice recognition, a hands-free communication system using Bluetooth technology.

Priced at £27,995, the 300C SRT offers in addition to the SR models a mesh grille with chrome surround, body coloured door mirrors and door handles, wheel arch extensions, 20 inch alloys, leather and suede trimmed sports seats and carbon fibre interior details.

The diesel-powered 300Cs are offered with a standard automatic transmission and can complete the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 8.7 seconds while reaching a top speed of 143mph 0r 230km/h.

At the top-of-the-range is the 300C SRT-8 that costs £41,795 (about US$67,800 - in the States, the 300C SRT8 carries a sticker price of $47,315 not including taxes, but you may get a better price if you haggle the dealer).

The 300C SRT-8 with its 425HP and 420 lb-ft HEMI V8 goes from 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds, hits the quarter mile in the high 13-second range and has a top of speed of 165 mph or 265km/h.

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010my-chrysler-300c-new-model-line-up.html

Happy New Year to all from Carscoop!

We're still trying to muddle through last night's New Year's Eve fest so we hope you'll forgive us for keeping this short and simple wishing you all a very happy new year and may the new decade begin on a prosperous note!

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year-to-all-from-carscoop.html