World of Wheels

The BMW X5: A special kind of driving pleasure a million times over.

Within just eleven years, one million BMW X5 models have been sold.
The anniversary edition, a sapphire black metallic BMW X5 xDrive35i featuring cinnamon brown Nevada leather trim, came off the assembly line recently at the American BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina and is currently on its way to a customer in China.
Achieving the seven-digit production figure is a further milestone in the success story of the first Sports Activity Vehicle.

Mazda MX-5 rated 'Best Sports Car' in JD Power survey

The world's best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, has added another accolade to its many awards by earning the title of "Best Sports Car" in the highly regarded 2010 JD Power vehicle ownership satisfaction survey conducted in the UK.
In total more than 17,000 car owners across the UK took part in the annual survey. 
Owners of Mazda's iconic two-seater sportscar gave their cars top-scores for appearance, exterior and interior quality and mechanical reliability, performance, running costs and also for dealer service.

Iconic Range Rover Turns 40

The Range Rover will celebrate its 40th birthday on June 17, 2010.
One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world's first vehicle as good on-road as off-road.
It was the first fully capable luxury 4x4 and was a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
There have been three generations of Range Rover. The original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants, for just over 25 years.

Jaguar marks its 75th Anniversary with a return to Le Mans

Jaguar returns to the starting grid at Le Mans this weekend  (June 12) as the stunning XKR GT2 sports car lines up alongside the world's leading endurance racers for the classic 24-hour event. 
As Jaguar celebrates its 75th anniversary of building and racing cars, it is fitting that the British marque returns to competition at the circuit where it earned seven race wins between 1951 and 1990.

Gettin’ Schooled In Korea With Hankook

World of Wheels’ Craig Ritchie just returned from a visit to Hankook Tire’s state-of-the-art tire manufacturing and testing facilities in South Korea. His visit included a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the company’s top secret G'trac proving grounds, where new tire designs are subjected to every imaginable torture on both dry and wet tracks. The trip marked the first time that automotive journalists have been allowed access to this high security facility.

BMW M3 GTS, the ultimate track day car with on-road capability

The most powerful version of the high-performance M3 Coupe, the BMW M3 GTS, features a 450 hp engine that offers the ideal preconditions for use at club sport events, while still being road-legal.
The BMW M3 GTS will only be available in a unique orange colour.
Additional model-specific features are the matt black exterior components such as the BMW kidney grille, roof trims and alloy wheels as well as the side gill elements made of dark anodized chrome.

VW GTI Concept bows in Austria

To mark the annual Worthersee auto show for Volkswagen fans and held in Austria, Volkswagen has honed the Golf GTI to create a new concept.
The aptly named Golf GTI Excessive is formed from a series of small but effective modifications to the vehicle's running gear to create a sharper, more focused iteration of the iconic GTI.
This comes as a result of firmer springs and dampers and a wider track, requiring the addition of a set of wheelarch extensions each measuring 30 mm. Uprated 370 mm diameter brake discs (310 mm rear) are fitted behind new 19-inch flow-formed BBS motorsport-derived alloy wheels complete with a 35 mm offset fitted with 235/35 ZR19 track-orientated tires.

2011 Abruzzi 'Spirit of Le Mans' - Latest, Most Exclusive Offering from Panoz.

The recurring rumor is now put to rest.
Don Panoz, the founder of Panoz Auto Development and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron, made it official with the announcement of an exciting new and exclusive Panoz super sports car - the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans."
The formal unveiling will take place next month in France at the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race, an event the Panoz brand won in the GT2 class during 2006.

Audi steps up the pace with an even more extreme 550 hp R8 GT

Through an engine upgrade to 560 hp, and the use of even more intensively weight optimized alternatives to many body and mechanical components, the 100 kg lighter Audi R8 GT is able to deliver even more breathtaking pace and handling poise.
The R8 GT benefits from the considerable expertise gained in paring back the weight and maximizing the performance potential of the R8 LMS GT3.
Thanks to its largely hand built aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, weighing only 210 kilograms, and the lightweight aluminum panels joined to it with exceptional precision, the 'standard' R8 is already a flyweight by class standards, but by closely scrutinizing every element of the car Audi engineers have managed to whittle away a further 100kg, taking the kerb weight to 1,525 kg.

Geely Alternative Energy Vehicles Showcased at Auto China 2010

For years, Chinese automaker Geely has been committed to R&D of alternative power systems for vehicles, and its five alternative fuel vehicles for mass production will be marketed in two years.
At the recent Beijing Auto, Show, Geely brought two electric vehicles, the EK-1 and EK-2.
EK-1 is lead-acid battery powered reaching 80 km/h top speed and 80 km range, and EK-2 is lithium iron phosphate battery powered with maximum speed of 150 km and range of 180 km and can recharge 80 per cent of battery capacity in 18 minutes.