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

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

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petrol with outputs ranging from 122HP to 170HP, chances are the Germans will continue to equip the base model with the outdated, but cheap to produce, 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol.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

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.

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!

2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe: New Video Shots of Production Model

Continuing the saga of leaks, new photos of the production version of Honda's hotly anticipated 2011 (or 2010, depends on the market) CR-Z hybrid coupe have made their way onto the web. This time, we have a series of screen shots from a video that we have yet to discover. In JDM spec, the 21st century CR-X comes with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol unit with an electric motor.

According to the official brochure that was leaked earlier this month, the petrol unit makes 114ps (84kW or 113 HP) at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 145Nm (107 lb-ft) at 4,800 rpm, while the electric motor, 14ps (10kW or 13.4 HP) at 1,500 rpm and 78Nm (58 lb-ft) at 1,000 rpm.

It doesn't sound much, but at least customers will have the option of a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the more traditional for a hybrid model, CVT.

The Japanese version of the CR-Z is said to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in an uninspiring 9.7 seconds.

In the leaked leaflet, Honda mentions that the CR-Z will return 25.0 km/lt (58.8mpg US or 4.0 lt/100km) and 22.5 km/lt (52.9 mpg US or 4.5 lt/100km), but as we noted then, we are not sure what the numbers refer to.

Japan will first be the first market to receive the production version of the CR-Z in February 2010, with Europe and North America to follow later in the year.

Via: Gazoo

Hartge Releases More Goodies for 2010 BMW Z4 Roadster

After showing us its initial offerings for the new BMW Z4 that were limited to a few alloy wheel options, a dual-pipe exhaust system and a new speedometer, Hartge has taken one step further by releasing a new set of upgrades for the hardtop roadster.

For the exterior, Hartge has created a new front apron that covers the air inlets, carbon fiber mirror caps, a discreet boot lid spoiler, a wind deflector, pin stripes and a four-piece exhaust system.

Customers can also give the hardtop roadster an even sportier stance with the addition of Hartge's alloy wheels that are available in numerous designs in sizes 18- to 20-inches, and a suspension lowering kit.

A set of aluminum pedals, a new instrument cluster and specific floor mats are some of the options offered for the interior.

Those that are interested in juicing up the Z4's powerplants will have to wait until next year when the company is expected to reveal its engine kit program.