An afternoon after footage began leaking onto the Internet, Mini officially released knowledge on its new Countryman -- its first foray back to the crossover field. Though we tend to reported yesterday, the Countryman closely resembles the remainder from the Mini number, less than incorporates a bunch of cues which permit it to appear somewhat rugged. The angled front fascia, whole allowing for the taller front bumper plus modified headlamps, closely resembles the Beachcomber concept shown at about that year's Detroit auto display. In contrast to that show automobile, however, the Countryman sports a traditional hardtop, four full-sized doors, and a one-piece rear hatch. Inside, the Countryman continues to resemble alternative contemporary Minis. The speedometer -- together together with a hot information display -- could be placed right during the center of the instrument panel.
Mini's Center Rail concept, first seen in the 2008 Crossover concept, permits for versatile configurations of storage bins and other clip-in accessories in the first and 2nd rows. This, after every one, mandates four bucket seats, but a three-passenger rear bench is reportedly a no-cost decision. We've got however to detect the finalized unharness on the U.S.-spec Countryman, but it has safe to surmise that powertrain offerings is sufficient to reflect the ones of alternative Mini models. The revised 122-hp, 1.6-liter I-4 are going to be employed in the Cooper Countryman, whereas the hot 184-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 will power the Cooper S Countryman. In Europe, a six-speed manual is customary apparatus, while a six-speed automatic is optional. Also optional is the legal recent "ALL4" all-wheel-drive system. In ordinary stipulations, the system splits power evenly between the front and back wheels, but can transfer all power to the back wheels ought to the fronts begin to slide. Cooper S Countrymans equipped with the ALL4 system also receive run-flat tires as standard equipment. Mini plans on officially launching the Countryman at the 2010 Geneva motor show, and staging its U.S. premiere at this year's New york auto show. Additionally though the crossover is going on sale in Europe return September, it will not achieve U.S. dealers until February of
2011.
First Look: 2011 Mini Countryman
Spyker prepping two new models for MWC?
Looks like Spyker's enjoying its little foray into the cellphone biz with new rumors flying that there'll be two all-new models graced with the Dutch automaker's name at MWC later this month. There's a boring midrange slider that looks like it fell out of a trash can in Samsung's design lab, but the more interesting of the two is the pictured EG200 -- an ultra-slim slider featuring a touchpad in place of the traditional d-pad. Not a lot of specs to go on at this point, but we can apparently expect a 2 megapixel cam on this one when it launches -- and if it's any consolation, we can guarantee it'll be a few bucks less than a street-legal C8.
[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]
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Spyker courts European investors
If you're a regular reader here on Autoblog, it should come as no surprise that Spyker is in deep financial trouble. The exotic Dutch carmaker was forced to sell off its F1 team, cancel the production of the C12 Zagato supercar and even mortgage its own name.Never content to go quietly into the night, however, Spyker is on a campaign to raise funds. The latest endeavor has been to court European investors, but negotiations with Lichtenstein-based ACI recently fell through after an initial agreement was signed. According to reports, Spyker is now in negotiations with Snoras Group, a Lithuanian bank, to fund and potentially acquire stake in the Dutch automaker. Spyker says it has a few other possibilities on tap, and hopefully one of them will come through to rescue the company and its beautifully quirky automobiles.
2009 Spyker C8 Laviollete LM85 - Spyker's Even More Extreme GT2-Derived C8
Released to the public at the LA Auto Show, the 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 will see a super-limited production run of only 24 units. The Spyker C8 edition is designed to commemorate Spyker's success in Le Mans racing, and a select few Spyker fans will get a piece of automotive history.The C8 Laviolette LM85 carries the same Audi-sourced 4.2 liter engine as other recent C8 models, and the exterior and interior are familiar though upgraded with even greater use of weight saving materials than before. The chassis is manufactured entirely from aluminum, and the little details that set the C8 Laviolette LM85 apart, like black powder-coated alloy wheels and even the option of left or right hand drive based on what is most familiar to the customer's home nation.The C8's iconic, and iconoclastic, shape is loved by some and simply confuses many others. But Spyker's fans are rabid, and a curb weight of only 2800 should ensure the C8 Laviolette LM85 retains Lotus-esque handling characteristics.But all the fancy exterior and interior features do not change the fact that this is still basically a kit car, with the engine coming from Audi and most key components being crate items. But, street legal speed and real head-turning Spyker styling are worth the price of admission, whatever that base price ends up being once it is announced by Spyker. Read on for all the official details, direct from the automaker.
Spyker C8 Aileron to Make US Debut at Pebble Beach
Spyker C8 Aileron 
Spyker C8 Aileron
Spyker will once again grace the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with its presence making it the eighth consecutive appearance at the show, since it's rebirth in 2000. This year the specialist marque will bring the Spyker C8 Aileron, an all aluminium concept that previews the second generation C-line sports car.The long wheel base model is making its first appearance on US soil, under the hood is a powerful 4.2 litre V8 producing 400 BHP position in the middle of the car giving the model superb weight distribution. The C8 Aileron is set to go into full production by the end of the year.Joining the LWB C8 Aileron at the show will be the C8 Spyder and a C8 Laviolette.
Spyker Adds Thrust to C8
Skeptics may be wondering about the direction that Spyker is taking after last year’s sale of its F1 team that had cost them more than $100 million. But as the press conference progressed, it became clear that the Dutch company is far from dead. After an audio montage of fighter jet noises and scanner traffic, Spyker launched its second-generation C-line sports car called the C8 Aileron. It’s a thing of beauty and it’s not a car for the weak at heart. With 400 bhp and 354 lb-ft of torque coming from an Audi 4.2-liter V8, the premium sports car can be mated to a 6-speed Getrag manual or a 6-speed automatic ZF gearbox — a Spyker first. But where the automaker was going with the introduction might have been a hint to the aviation-inspired design cues. In the previous generation, the propeller design was consistently applied to many elements of their cars including the Aeroblade wheels. But just as the propeller engine was succeeded by the turbine engine, so has the design of this car. Gone are the Aeroblade wheels and in are turbine engine-shaped wheels called the “Rotorblade.” An air intake resides on top of the roof, the signature polished aluminum air inlets are now turbine engine-shaped scoops and the glass jet brighten-inspired canopy has been extended to reduce drag. The radiator opening was enlarged and the V-shaped mesh is angled forward to give the car a more aggressive stance. At the rear, the diffuser has been redesigned and the taillights are now LED units. Other improvements include a more rigid aluminum space frame and a longer wheelbase. Although there may not be any F1 races anytime soon, Spyker does have new financial backing from a Lithuanian bank. In 2008 and 2009, the Spyker Squadron factory GT2 team will compete in both the Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans. If the mad scramble of journalists shoving their way to the Spyker stand for a press kit is any indication of how well they did with the C8 Aileron, it may be a sign of good things to come.
[ Via: Classic Driver ]
[ Tag: boats, etc, maarten de bruijn, MaartenDeBruijn, silvestris, speedboat, spyker ]
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