Part Jackass / part COPS — But at least Russians don’t have to worry where their tax dollars go.
E-Go’s Revolt is a future sports car that is fully designed in Russia. The Revolt is based on a Mitsubishi platform and will be built in limited edition. Although the name almost suggests a technically advanced car (possibly electric), the car has just a good ’ol standard sports car set-up. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 550 hp. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The concept also features 19-inch alloys, adjustable pneumatic suspension and carbon fiber.
International Moscow Motor Show took place in the capital of Russia. I
must say it has already become a traditional event but this time the
visitors are welcome to appreciate a wider range of models (more than
a thousand companies are presented) and take a breathtaking look at
nine new cars - let’s get a closer look!
One of the most amazing cars presented was Mazda Kazamai (translated
into English like "vortex fight"). Continuing the Mazda series
inspired by nature, it featured smoothy lines, curvy headlamps and
delicious rear (resembling some fantastic bird). The fairy image is
finished by large wheels designed in the same dynamic style.
Another Japanese creation was Lexus LS460 AWD which is, actually, all
the same as the original LS460 (4.6 V8, 380 hp) but uses four-wheel
drive - a considerable advantage on Russian roads, at least.
The Mitsubishi Pajero was succeeded by the new Pajero Sport powered by
2.5 and 3.2 diesel engines with momentum delivered to all its wheels.
New cute face makes the whole car look like a friendly guy a bit shy
of his size. However, this vehicle won’t appear on European and North
American markets.
But this is far not only Japan who brought its new autos under Moscow
Motor Show lights. Audi presented the new A6 which was given slight
changes in design and was improved technically: changes particularly
concerned chassis and control system. Let’s say the A6 was updated -
but hardly more.
A furious engineering impact was instilled into RS6: V10 biturbo, 580
horses and 60 mph are reached within 4.5 seconds. The sporty character
is reflected in exterior and highlighted by several interior details
which bring the sense of dynamics and comfort.
Separately, BMW strengthened its X5 with armor - thus creating the new
X5 Security. Its body is told to be a strong shield even from close
attacks. Rather a sensible solution for those who live in criminal
regions or suffer from a phobia.
The country of vine, cheese and delicious frogs entertained the public
with two new cars. One is Renault Symbol which has inherited the
advantages of its predecessor on the one hand and obtained a modern
look on the other hand.
Much more exciting was the appearance of the new Citroen C4: it not
only strikes consumers with transformations in design and a wide
choice of new engines - it also offers many surprising features, only
few of which are optional.
New Skoda Superb is looking fine and it makes us think that these
changes are due to Skoda’s determination to refresh the design, but
remain devoted to the style. The model presented featured 3.6 V6
linked to all 4 wheels.
Certainly, at IMMS’08 were many cars which we have already seen at the
other motor shows (e.g. Alfa Romeo 8C Spider which I can’t help
admiring) - that’s why this event is so popular in Russia.
However, I suppose that the day when this show becomes more
prestigious abroad and begins to attract more media is not so far.
Russia is working a new symbol so that other drivers can tell when a novice driver is behind the wheel. The sign will be required to be put in windows with drivers who have had less than two yeas driving experience. In the U.S. we have a less uniform, but still effective code to identify novice drivers. Just look for the three-foot high rear spoiler attached to a stock Honda Civic.
Lada is making a comeback, but you probably didn’t miss it (or know who it is.) Lada is a Russian auto brand that was exported to most of the world in the 80s and 90s, but not the U.S. for obvious reasons.
Its most successful car, the sedan/wagon usually known as the Riva (pictured right), was successful for being tough and simple, like any good communist should be. A combination of emissions regulations, political disorder and the car’s age (it changed very little from when it was introduced in the late 60s) finally killed the Riva in the 90s. Lada was no longer exporting to Eastern Europe by the late 90s and export numbers dwindled to other major countries.
Since then, the Russian auto market has exploded. It has now replaced Germany as Europe’s largest car market. In March, Renault-Nissan bought a 25 percent stake in Lada’s parent company Avtovaz. Lada is now up to five production models, and the Renault-Nissan-Lada alliance is the world’s third largest automotive company behind Toyota and General Motors.
With this production boom and new corporate backing, Lada is ready to take on the world again (scary?) This week, Lada has announced it will now be exporting to Eastern Europe and beyond. In September Lada plans to send hatchback model of its new Priora hatchback (pictured right) to multiple European countries including Germany. Lada also announced a deal that will have it send 850 more vehicles (600 Prioras and 250 4x4s) to North Korea. These will join the 500 Prioras already in the communist country. Old habits die hard, eh?
McDonald’s never specifies what you have to drive at the drive-thru... I bet he said "I’ll hop in my Mustang and go get some burgers"... Looks like the gas crisis is felt everywhere...
This needs no explanation, just go ahead an insert your own joke here.
Mitsubishi is debuting its third SUV in Russia at the Moscow Motor Show. The Pajero Sport is a similar type of vehicle to the Montero Sport sold in the U.S. But this is not the replacement for the Montero Sport, nor will it be coming to our shores. Instead the Pajero Sport will be sold under various names only to Russia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Australia.
The new SUV will be available in five and seven passenger forms and offer a four-wheel drive version. Power will come from a choice of three engines: 2.5-liter and 3.2-liter common rail direct injection diesel units and a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit. But in a very communist-like decision, Mitsubishi is not giving the Russians a decision at all. The country will only be receiving a model with the 3.2-liter diesel engine and two-row, five-passenger capacity seating arrangement.
The Pajero Sport’s debut in Moscow is proof of Russia becoming an increasingly important market for Mitsubishi. They sold 100,000 cars in Russia last year, and Mitsubishi is hoping that the Pajero Sport can help boost sales past 140,000 this year.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in the case of these owners, they may be blind. It just so happens that all of these automotive crimes happen to come from the same country, Russia. Just like last week’s golden Porsche, be glad these are not in your driveway.
For these unfortunate owners, no one mentioned that PVC piping, rivets and house paint do not make for proper car modifications. Then again, it takes a special person to craft SLR doors for a Lada or to attempt to turn a sedan into a Porsche Cayenne.
Of course there are professional Russian tuners out there, but they wouldn’t be as much fun to show. After all, every country is guilty having a select few do-it-yourself car guys. But for the sake of national pride, please try to make sure no one gets pictures. Then again, if someone does, drop us a line—we love a good laugh.
Few days ago we were speaking about the beginning of the 2008 edition of the Transsyberia Rally. By the end of the leg two of the rally Team Germany 1 car, driven by Armin Schwarz and Andi Schulz, was with five seconds faster than the Porsche Cayenne driven by Denis Levyatov and Sergey Talantsev from Team Porsche Russia 1. On the third place at the end of the second leg of the rally was the Spanish team Paul Soler and Laia Peinado also in a Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia.
More details after the jump!
> More
If you wake up day after day only to find your bank balance replenished by a few million dollars, chances are at some point, you won’t know what to do with it. Take this Porsche 911 owner for example. He couldn’t find ways to get rid of the fast-accumulating green paper and did this to himself.- A 40- pound pure gold covered Porsche 911.
We find the idea annoying but appreciate the work that has gone into it. The carvings and designs on the surface are brilliant and would have taken weeks to complete by an extremely set of talented and skilled individuals. The polished surface looks nice and should have masked the rear-view mirrors entirely, eliminating the need for a reflective glass and related electronics for adjustments, but maybe next time?!
Driving a Porsche 911 on the streets would grab enough attention leave alone a gold-covered one. Is the Sultan of Brunei reading this?
.
Pages: 
4 comments
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |