Boston’s AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival

Here at Carscoop, we have a green heart for eco-friendly cars. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered that the annual AltWheels Festival was being held right in our back yard, Boston! The interactive and informative event was set up behind Boston’s City Hall and took place yesterday and Friday. The event consisted of inventers and futuristic concept vehicles, alternative transportation options from fuel cell vehicles to taxi rickshaws to human-powered transport systems. It was quite the science experiment! Among those alternative fueling methods exhibited during the event included Hybrids, Plug-in Cars (including hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in’s) Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Used Vegetable Oil, and Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel...

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Video: 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible

BMW has officially launched the fourth model in the 1-Series range, the 1-Series Convertible which is expected to go on sale on both sides of the Atlantic in spring 2008. Equipped with an electro hydraulic operated soft top that closes within 22 seconds, the 1-Series Convertible will be available in the US in two guises, the 128i which receives a 3.0-liter, 230 Hp inline six-cylinder engine and the 135i with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 Hp. European’s will get a broader range that includes apart from the 135i, the 125i (3.0L, 218 Hp), 120i (2.0L, 170 Hp), 118i (1.8L, 143 Hp) and the 120d (2.0L diesel, 177 Hp). You might also want to check out our BMW 135i Coupe Video by clicking h...

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Poll: Which Car Should Play In The New Knight Rider TV Series?

Since we learned last night that NBC has decided to revive Knight Rider (click here) with a new TV series next fall, we've been raking our brain to try and find the best candidate to surrogate Knight’s 1980’s Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am. Heck, we even stayed up last night playing around with photoshop just to see what KITT would look like if he were a Chevy Camaro –mmm, maybe, a Cadillac Cien –we liked this one, an Audi R8 –that sucked, even an Impreza WRX STi –that’ll piss off many Texans. Which one of today’s production cars/concepts do you think would be the ideal choice for KITT’s role? And oh, if you know your way around with Photoshop, don’t hesitate to e-mail us a pic! Have your say in the comments below. -Chops after the jump Pics:...

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Suzuki Kizashi 2 Crossover Concept - 2007 Tokyo Preview

Apart from the weird looking X-Head, Suzuki will also introduce a follow up to the striking Kizashi Concept Sedan (click here) previewed at the Frankfurt Show in September at next month’s Tokyo Show. The Kizashi 2 is basically a crossover version of the original concept that takes advantage of AWD system. Differences include the higher ground-clearance and the body cladding which to be frank, doesn’t do justice to the Kizashi. Moreover, instead of using the frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine like the original concept, Suzuki equipped the crossover with a 3.6-liter V6-engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. -Image gallery and press release after the jump Translated Press Release Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept The stirring impression the top athlete...

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Lexus BS Compact Hatchback – Rendering

Just last week, Tokuichi Uranishi, a Toyota executive vice president, told German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, that Lexus is interested in developing a compact hatch. “We can foresee a competitor to the BMW 1-Series” said Uranishi. This year, Lexus expects to sell around 55,000 units in Europe but its targeting annual sales of 150,000 units by 2015 and the addition of a lower priced (than the IS) entry-model would definitely help Lexus achieve that goal. We’re not sure if this rendering of the so-called BS series that we discovered in the net has anything to do with reality, but we can tell you that if Lexus goes ahead and introduces the compact hatch, it'll most likely be based on the IS platform and mechanics (front-engine, rear-wheel...

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2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible – Official Pictures Leaked!

Damn; you wait for the weekend to take some time off blogging and Saturday day kicks off with the reveal of GM’s full product portfolio through 2013 (click here) and continues with the official images of the 2008 BMW 1-Series Convertible! Needless to say it’s a dam(n) leak… We don’t have any information for the time being besides the fact that the 1-Series Cabriolet will be offered with at least two 6-cylinder engines, a 215 Hp 3.0-litre (125i) and the 306 Hp 3.0-liter bi-turbo (135i). According to our information, the 1-Series Coupe based soft-top will be available from early next year. We’ll get back on this story (there goes Saturday night…) as soon as we retrieve more info. -Follow the jump for the full image galleryVia: Autoblog.nl (&...

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Suzuki Crosscage & Biplane Concepts - 2007 Tokyo Preview

We’re quite fine thank you, meaning we haven’t mixed our socks with our underwear -yet... The Tokyo Show isn’t only about cars; it also hosts motorcycle and commercial vehicle premiers. Suzuki on its behalf will show off two motorcycle concepts, the Crosscage and the Biplane. We found a Japanese teaser press release on both concepts but it didn’t make much sense so we can only tell you that the Crosscage uses fuel-cells while the Biplane, which incorporates a V4 engine, draws its inspiration from airplanes. -Continued after the jump Translated Press Release Crosscage It is the fuel cell car which can do optimum power control by combining the air cooled fuel cell system and the advanced accumulator of simple small size light weight. Starting...

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UAW’s Contract Reveals GM’s Future Product Portfolio! – Cadillac CTS Coupe, H3T Pick Up & More!

We just finished reading the full summary of UAW’s contract with GM (click here) and guess what; UAW included (by mistake?) GM’s future product portfolio through 2013!!! What a #ucking booboo! The list gives us an unprecedented view of specific product commitments in 16 assembly plants across the USA. As you might have guessed, GM isn't at all happy with UAW as this information is considered highly confidential for apparent competitive reasons. We’ve included the whole list for your gratification right after the jump (click the title or below), but here are a few goodies to get you started: Corvette and Cadillac XLR replacements due in 2012Global Delta Volt beginning in 2010Global Delta MPV7 beginning in 2009Cadillac CTS Wagon to be introduced...

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Cell Phone & Cars Equals Trouble...

No wonder Arnie doesn’t want anyone –especially teenagers (click here) to use cell-phones in their cars... Can you think of a better reason to ban those "devilish" machines in vehicles than this cell-phone related accident caused in Russia?-More images after the jump Via: englishrus...

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Suzuki X-Head Concept - 2007 Tokyo Show Preview

The X-Head is one of Suzuki’s many offerings at the forthcoming 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in late October. According to the Japanese carmaker, X-Head is a new type of lifestyle utility vehicle that incorporates the DNA of the Jimny and Grand Vitara. Huh? Looks more like a Jap version of the Mercedes-Benz Unimog if you ask us, but whatev; it’s not as if you’ll ever see one of these going to production. -Translated press release after the jump Translated Press Release “X-HEAD” is " the cross utility vehicle " of the new genre which brings the various values which until recently are not. It has high running the whole distance characteristic, the “gym knee”, “the escudo”, it has high loading characteristic, DNA “of [kiyarii]” was succeeded, functional...

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Fiat Nuovo 500 Bi-Colore By Aznom

Can you imagine how many tuners will present customization programmes for the “nuovo” 500 once Fiat begins selling it in all of Europe early next year? We’ve already seen a dozen or so propositions and the 500 is (or rather was since 2007’s production is sold out) available only in Italy and France! This one is the work of Italian custom shop, Aznom who picked out a “bumblebee” paintjob theme for the exterior along with 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, Aznom offers three grades of customization –depending on the depth of your wallet, covering the cabin with wood inserts, bi-colour seats etc. -Follow the jump for more pictures and the translated press release Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Aznom Translated Press Release The rework of the 500 is...

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Video: BMW 3-Series Crashes Into A Water Filled Ditch!

Ouuuuch; We admit, the late 3-Series Compact wasn’t a pretty sight to look at and we’d probably have preferred if BMW had ditched it altogether before it even came into production, but isn’t “ditching” it yourself sort of a overly drastic measure…? -Thanks for the tip Feodos...

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Ford S-MAX Scooped In Los Angeles!

Motortrend’s senior editor, Ed Loh, scooped a Ford S-MAX this morning on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, Ford’s “European Car Of The Year” winner (click here) was equipped with Michigan manufacturer plates, so, as Motortrends’ Kirill Ougarov rightfully points out in his article, this aint no foreign diplomat car. Could it be that Ford’s looking into bringing the high-acclaimed Euro MPV to the States? Up until now and despite Ford CEO Alan Mullaly’s interest in European Fords, the American carmaker has denied any such rumours. On our behalf, we’d really like to see Ford offering the S-MAX to U.S. consumers. We’ve had the chance to drive all versions and it’s one hell of an MPV; not only does it look good but it’s spacious...

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Knight Rider Coming Back To TV In 2008

If you’re in your late 20’s – early 30’s like yours truly, you’ve probably spent countless hours as a kid in front of the TV watching Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) and his blacked out K.I.T.T. 2000. Yes, we shamelessly admit that there was a time and a place were we dreamed of driving Knight’s talking Trans-Am –with a handful of chicks in it! But we better stop here before we make a complete “arse” of ourselves… Anyway, what we really wanted to tell you is that NBC is bringing back the 1980s action-drama series. According to Variety, the new "Knight Rider" could air as early as next fall. There’s no word on which car will substitute the Pontiac Trans-Am, but producers are exploring the idea of adding "evil" cars to offset K.I.T.T....

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2018 Mazda3 Contest: Design It & See It At The LA Show!

Mazda launched a pretty innovative contest today where the winner will have the chance to create a concept that’ll premiere at the 2007 L.A. Show in November. All you have to do is visit Mazda’s dedicated page on Facebook.com (membership required) and submit a 150-word description of your vision on a 2018 MAZDA3 including an optional sketch drawing. Mazda’s design team will review the entries choosing 10 semi-finalists. Facebook community will then take over picking out five finalists which will be paired with a Mazda designer to hone their concept. Finally, the five projects will be subjected to a vote on Facebook. The winner will see his vision of a 2018 Mazda3 in a full-scale model at the LA Show. The contest, which is open only to U.S....

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GM - UAW Deal: Non-Core Workers To Get Half Pay!

As many insiders predicted when General Motors and the United Auto Workers (UAW) shook hands earlier this week, the shift of $50 billion in health-care obligations to the union fund was just half the story. Citing people with knowledge of the plan, Bloomberg is reporting today that GM and UAW have agreed to create a new class of jobs that’d pay about half the current rate thus breaking UAW's tradition of equal earnings for union members. Under the agreement, the so-called non-core employees like janitors and maintenance workers would get receive about $28 an hour in pay and benefits, compared with $51 for present employees. -Continued after the jump While current “non-core” workers wouldn’t be affected by the accord, GM will try to by them...

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