Suzuki Releases New Range of Accessories for Jimny 4x4

Suzuki of Great Britain has announced the launch of a new range of interior and exterior accessories for its mini 4x4, the Jimny. Available on the JLX and JLX+ four-wheel drive model variants, the list of exterior appointments include a chromed five-piece front grille set with a matching trim for the front headlamps and rear tail lamp clusters, a body-colored rear upper spoiler and polished sport bar, seven-spoke "Jakarta" alloy wheels and a polished stainless steel muffler extension.

For those looking for more practical accessories, Suzuki has also introduced a tow-bar mounted bicycle carrier, and a multi roof-rack and roof box for increased load capacity.

Available interior upgrades come in the form of an iPod interface module and Clarion portable satellite navigation system complete with a built-in radio tuner, MP3 player and RDS-TMC tuner, a four-piece carpet mat set and centre armrest with an integrated storage compartment.

Aston Martin to Participate at 24h of Le Mans with Gulf Oil Livered LMP1

British sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin has set its eyes for an outright victory at this year's Le Mans 24 hour race that will be held over the weekend of 13-14 June, 2009. Aston Martin will return to La Sarthe with two Works LMP1 cars bearing the characteristic blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil. Currently under development, the LMP1 will be based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola equipped with the same production-based Aston Martin V12 engine which, last year, helped Aston Martin secure its second successive Le Mans GT1 title with the DBR9.

"2009 is a hugely significant year for Aston Martin at Le Mans and the challenge of reclaiming victory in this famous race for Aston Martin and Great Britain was simply too great to ignore," said Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards.

"However, we do not underestimate the task. While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years, competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. autoofcars2011.blogspottheless, I see this as a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of British engineering talent," Richards added.

In addition to the Le Mans 24 hour race, Aston Martin's race team will also compete throughout the year in the Le Mans Series (LMS), which opens with the 1000 km de Catalunya on the 5th of April.

Opel Ampera EV: European Chevy Volt to be Unveiled in Geneva Motor Show

As many anticipated, General Motors announced that it will take the wraps off an extended-range electric concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15). The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will feature GM's electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, that allows the car to run exclusively on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet for up to 60 km (37 miles). For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

"With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving," said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

While Opel did not make any references to the Chevy Volt, judging by the mechanical and styling similarities between the two cars as seen in this teaser sketch, and taking into consideration a previous statement from GM Europe's president, Carl Peter Forster, who openly admitted that Opel will reveal an electric vehicle derived directly from the Volt, we think that it wouldn't be too farfetched to support that the two cars are if not entirely, heavily related.