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New Pics of The Chevy Orlando Hit The Internet: Neon Blue Awesome

Next month, at the Paris Motor Show, Chevy will finally release their seven-seat family concept car, the Orlando. Unfortunately for Chevy, some snapshots made it to the internet pre-launch. They look like pictures from backstage during a promotional shoot. Either way, here they are.

The Orlando, based on the Chevy Cruze platform, is supposed to be this sporty MPV in a small package. It has a GM turbo diesel putting out 150 horsepower, five doors, seating for seven and home theater style setup in the back, which makes it a modern alternative to the big bulky gas eaters that large families need today. I quite like it, but for more that just those reasons.

Check out the pics after the jump:

You RideLust readers may or may not be aware, but I’m an EPCOT freak. EPCOT Center is the greatest place on Earth and if I had my way I’d live there on it’s magical technological paradise grounds and never step foot back in the “real world” again. So having a vehicle named after the Mecca of all things fantastic and wonderful, Orlando, Florida…well, Chevy just needs to make this a production car.

Really, I liked the name when I heard it, I liked the look when I saw it, and now, after seeing the blue lights all around that fit perfectly with the EPCOT theme I had in my head, I love it.

So without further blahblahblah…PICS:

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Sneak Peak: The Saab 9-X Air Hybrid Speedster

Anticipated as the 2-door companion to the Saab 9-X Biohybrid sedan that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in 2007, the Saab 9-X Air is two-door, four-passenger, convertible speedster. With a 200-hp, 1.4L Saab BioPower engine under the hood, the Saab 9-X air is engineered to run efficiently on E85 biofuel [85% ethanol, 15% gasoline] and is expected to average an estimated 107g/km in CO2 emissions. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the green machine is the Saab 9-X Air’s Targa-designed Canopy Top, which isn’t under the hood at all, yet makes a great contribution to the 9-X Air’s efficiency as a hybrid. Made out of lightweight fabric to reduce overall vehicle weight, and according to the press release, “folds neatly in three small sections under a rear tonneau cover in the trunk deck.” While not in itself a particularly noteworthy feature, a soft-top Saab is definitely a new design direction for the Scandinavian auto manufacturer, and I’d be very interested to see what a production model would look like.

Although this specific model isn’t guaranteed to ever see production, AutoBlogGreen reports that a variant of the 9-X Air might debut on GM’s Delta platform later, simultaneously lending its powertrain to the 2011 Chevy Cruze.

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RideLust Caption Contest: Mercedes CLK Parking Trouble

Find the complete picture after the jump. Leave us your most hilariously witty captions in comments section. DO IT NOW!

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New Saab Concepts

The New Look of Saab

What’s in a name? The “car-speak” that is popular and current in the industry is always evolving. SUV is out. Crossover is in. What’s the difference between the two? In some cases, not much. So in that line of thinking, Saab has two concept models that they are developing that combine three popular themes. X, as in “cross” and their XWD system. Bio, as in bio-fuel. And Hybrid, well, you know what that means.

Saab Bio-Power and Bio-Hybrid Concepts

The Scandinavian company will probably produce both the 9-X BioHybrid and 9-4X BioPower concept vehicles in an effort to increase buyer interest in their line of vehicles. Both share the Saab-esque styling themes of current models while integrating more efficient powertrain technology. The Saab 9-X Bio Hybrid is the likely look of the future compact car from Saab. Since that segment is populated mostly by younger buyers, the youthful design and performance, enhanced by innovative, ‘high-tech’ features such as easy access to in-car wireless connectivity. The Saab 9-4X Bio Power Concept foreshadow’s Saab’s entry into the growing crossover vehicle segment. It is focused on customers with outdoor leisure interests who seek a sporty driving experience, with the enjoyment of responsible performance. (Responsible meaning adequate) According to Saab, the bioethanol that powers the 2.0-liter, 300 hp engine produces reduced CO2. This unique flex-fuel technology is now offered for Aero variants in both 9-3 and 9-5 product ranges. As part of the “leisure interests” Saab is targeting, the Bio Power concept also has unique ski stowage system developed with the Salomon ski company.

Saab Biohybrid Concept

For those that want a taste of these innovations right now, Saab is also extending the availability of its innovative XWD into other models for 2009. The 9-3 Sport Sedan and Sport Combi already feature XWD as an option for 210 hp, 2.0-litre turbo models, in addition to the top-of-the-range Aero 280 hp, 2.8 V6 turbo engine. A rear eLSD and a sports chassis package can also be added as an option. The top-of-the-line Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo engine produces 280 horsepower and is offered with both front and all-wheel-drive (Saab XWD) in the 9-3 model. A sports chassis set-up developed for the Turbo X Limited Edition, is also offered with XWD.

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You Gotta Fight For Your Right To…Repair?

There is a piece of legislation currently trying to push its way through Congress known as the Right to Repair Act. According to the explanation on the bill’s website, the Right to Repair Act “…would develop regulations requiring car companies to share the same information and tools that they make available to their franchised dealers with the independent service industry and car owners.”

To the everyday consumer, this sounds like a great idea. Finally, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to have your ten-year-old Benz serviced at the dealership just because your neighborhood mechanic is terrified to even attempt to fix the crankwalk. I myself understand this unique problem, as I own a 12-year-old Volvo. Although I perform most of the maintenance myself, when I’m in over my head I take it to a professional mechanic. Invariably, upon hearing the word “Volvo,” one of two expressions appears on the master-technician’s face, either:

1. Dollar signs as he begins tabulating the cost of each part he will be forced to order directly from the manufacturer since Volvo parts are not interchangeable

2. Sheer, unadulterated, grown-man, terror, at the prospect of having to stumble through a mass of intricately individualized, sophisticated electrical and mechanical codes (true fact: the Mobile Audio guy at Best Buy literally took one look at the after-market sound system I wanted installed, put it down gently on the car seat, and slowly backed away).

Over the years, I’ve come to anticipate these reactions and have become fairly adept at handling the “virgin” mechanic. It requires much the same patience one would demonstrate when attempting to coax a skittish deer out of the forest: no sudden movements or loud noises. It also helps if you lure them slowly to the car while uttering non-threatening, soothing messages like, “It’s just routine maintenance…don’t be afraid little guy…” and “…why don’t you come over, nice and easy like, and we’ll have a look under the hood? I promise it won’t bite…”

Despite the fact that I can empathize with difficult-to-repair European-model car owners though, I don’t support the Right to Repair Act. It’s a frivolous piece of legislation that neglects to take into consideration the fact that cars are not a right. There is no constitutional statute that guarantees the inalienable right of every American citizen to own a really sick ride. That’s a luxury, and as such, it is ludicrous to hold an automobile manufacturer responsible for anything other than what is explicitly stated in the service agreement. Car companies are being portrayed as these huge conglomerates whose sole intention is to make money, and who don’t give a damn about whether you the consumer can afford to keep up with their standards of living - and you know what? That’s a dead-on-balls accurate assessment. They don’t give a damn about affordability, because they don’t have to. The automobile industry is exactly that - an industry, it’s a business. It’s not a philanthropic endeavor, nor should it be. Lamborghini does not spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the brightest engineers in the business so you can go and stick a Ford Taurus intake filter in your Diablo. If you’re looking for a vehicle that can be routinely serviced with Bondo and some strategically placed duct tape, then bypass that 3-series BMW and take a look at a Geo Prism. Or take the bus.

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Mercedes Gullwing Spy Photos

We have seen a fair amount of spy photos of Mercedes’ upcoming new super car, dating back to August 2007 in the US desert. Rumours about the car are various, ranging from plausible (Mercedes-Benz SLR replacement) to wild speculations (Maybach Coupe). Today we show you pictures of then new Gullwing undergoing some handling test at Germany’s famous Nurburgring.

In July 2007 a press release was issued by Mercedes stating that their co-operation with McLaren would come to an end in regards to developing a SLR follow-up model and that Mercedes would keep the development internal. In-house performance branch AMG was appointed with the task, who in turn contracted HWA Racing (Mercedes’ DTM partner) to produce the car.

The SLC prototypes may be using Dodge Viper body panels, but rest assured that the similarities end there. The prototype uses a 106-inch long wheelbase, which happens to closely match the SLR’s wheelbase and in the process debunks any rumours about a smaller SLR based on the R230 SL-Class platform. The new Mercedes turning into a mid-engined car seems very distant now too.

What the car will be called is uncertain, just like which engine will be powering the car. So far we have been calling it the Mercedes Gullwing or SLC while the 500hp 6.2 liter AMG V8 seems a likely candidate to become its engine. But only time will tell, until then just enjoy the photos and dream away…

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

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Jeep JT Pickup Rumors Spoiled Again…

SEMA 2007: Jeep JT Concept Ready To Play After numerous concepts and showings and a tease just yesterday of spy shots of a Jeep JT Pickup testing it turns out yet again… No Jeep Truck For You! According to a clarification from Off-Road Magazine the test mule of the Jeep JT are for a line of military Jeeps aimed toward Isreal and Egypt.

So if the contracts get done with Isreal or Egypt and Jeep actually builds their pickup it will be yet another vehicle that we can add to the list of autos not available in the U.S. No make matters worse it was reported that the JT Pickup is powered by a European prefered diesel engine. Now if Jeep can provide a diesel engine for the overseas version of a Jeep not to be sold here why can they not do the same for a Wrangler that is sold in North America?
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sQuba Underwater Car by Rinspeed [photos + video]

A self-confessed Bond fanatic has made an up-to-date version of the wondercar using the Esprit’s spiritual successor, the Lotus Elise, as its base.

This “sQuba” prototype cost €1 million (£750,000), and can dive to a depth of 10m, and will be exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

It was the brainchild of concept car designer, Founder and CEO of Rinspeed Inc. Frank M. Rinderknecht, who said: “For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true.”

His team at Rinspeed replaced the petrol engine with three electric motors, one to power the rear wheels and two for the specially designed propellers. They are capable of taking it to 75mph on land, a more sedate 4mph while cruising in “boat” mode and a positively tranquil 2mph while underwater.

The company also claims that the car is extremely “green” as well, as it is a zero-emission vehicle powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

(more…)

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Ford, PML Flightlink Hauling Plug-in Hybrid F-150 Pickup To SEMA [Sema]

PML and Ford have been palling around for a while now, most recently to develop the Volvo Recharge C30 concept. Now they've gone in on an in-wheel electric drive plug-in hybrid Ford F-150 concept coming to SEMA. The in-wheel motors are a clever brushed pancake design that act as a part of the wheel and not just another add-in part. We've often thought hybrid tech would be best developed in the pickup market, where high torque matters and light weight and great driving dynamics don't. Don't be surprised if we go poking around this truck when we hit the show floor in Vegas. [Pickuptrucks.com]

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