Renault has selected the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend to unveil the new 2009 Renault Laguna Coupe.

The Laguna Coupe is powered by several power plants which include the brand-new 3.0-liter V6 dCi turbo diesel engine producing 235 hp (173 kW) and maximum torque of 450 Nm. Another version is the 3.5 V6 petrol engines which are mated for the first time mated for the first time with the AJ0 automatic 6-speed transmission it shares with the diesel engine producing 240 hp (175 kW) and maximum torque of 330 Nm.

With the engine configuration above, the Laguna Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds. The car also benefits from the best engines available for Laguna, in particular the top performing versions of the range’s two-litre petrol and diesel powerplants. The Renault Laguna Coupe measures at 4.64 m long and 1.83 m wide and stands on its 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. The car is also equipped with Active Drive chassis and 4-wheel steering system first introduced on the Renault Laguna GT Version which enhance manoeuvrability in town and also on twisty roads where it promise outstanding handling precision.

Renault Laguna Coupe will be shown in better detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show and will be available for international media road tests immediately after that. As the spearhead of the Laguna range, it has been designed to offer sheer driving pleasure and plays a key role in the Renault’s brand’s expansion in the upper-range market. Renault Laguna Coupe epitomizes this savoir-faire when it comes to motoring enjoyment and quality which is built into its genes and which can be seen in the finish which matches even the most demanding standards. Laguna Coupe will be introduced progressively across the Renault sales network from mid-October featuring a long list of luxury equipment.

The retro-penned racer is the work of coachbuilder and restoration specialist, “Creative Workshop” that’s based in Dania Beach, Florida. Dubbed “Sport Speciale”, this one-off creation was influenced in terms of styling by the designs of famous racecars of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s like the Ferrari TR59/60, Aston Martin DBR1, and Maserati 450S. Details include original Veglia gauges, a Nardi steering wheel, original Marchal and Carello lights and Magneti Marelli switches.

Car Details:

Body:

• Body constructed with exact “Carrozzeria” build techniques, as the famous Italian builders of the 50’s did. Body construction is “Superleggera” style.
• All body and chassis elements of car completely fabricated from raw materials – from special thermo-formable acrylic headlight covers to the shift knob, which was machined from a solid block of Stainless Steel.
• Panel “rub protection” in matching leather beading
• Color: Ferrari Rossa Barchetta, OEM code 320

Performance:

• Power to Weight Ratio: 4.95
• Weight Distribution: 1000lbs/Front (45%), 1230lbs/Rear (55%)
• Fuel Injection: 12 individual injectors and throttle bodies. Completely programmable – both on the acceleration and deceleration curve.
• Traction: Cutting edge limited slip traction control. No noise, no clicking, power-to-positive-grip-wheel.
• Handling: Racing, quick ratio rack steering, NASCAR-inspired fully adjustable front sway bar.
• Completely adjustable coil over shock absorbers, with multi-position rebound control valving.
• Fuel Cell: Fully Baffled, “1000 rivet style” hand built gas tank, Approximately 20 Gallon capacity.
• Mechanical, self-proportioning, 4-wheel race disc brakes
• Completely hand constructed header and exhaust system. Ceramic coated.

Who would have ever thought of going pink in a Jeep? Well, I personally look at a Jeep vehicle as a masculine type of automobile. See, the vehicle sports power and muscles and capacity to go the extra mile and through rugged terrain. That is why I never think of the Jeep going pink, which is a color that just connotes being a girl (or a woman).

Now imagine pink Jeep Grand Cherokee parts. I know it sounds really different but there really are pink Jeep units. And they are the unique units used by Pink Jeep Tours, one of the most popular tour companies in Sedona. Well, I wouldn’t be surprised for a Jeep in pink really catches my attention. And I’m sure they also do catch yours.

Units from Pink Jeep Tours graced the Sedona International Film Festival which is on its 14th year. The event happened from February 27th up until the 2nd of March. Mike Hermen, the director of Pink Jeep Tours’ marketing team, said, “By offering on-site reservation booking and having hourly pick-ups at the Festival Pavilion, attendees can get back in time for their next film and not even have to move their cars.”

And that is just what those unique pink Jeeps did.

                                   Ferrari cars are simply defined as ‘masterpieces’ or should I say, the world’s greatest? Indeed! Today, the universal appeal of this nameplate remains stronger than ever. However, if we’re going to talk about timeless charisma, all modern Ferraris are nothing without its roots. Latest models of Ferrari cars are considered as the sweetest fruits of a legendary root - the first-built Ferrari car!

"This is the first time in 20 years this pristine automobile has made a public appearance. Ferrari has a unique history in Palm Springs, by recording its first western U.S. win here in 1951, and we’re bringing that excitement back with another historic Ferrari," says Paul Merrigan, the event organizer.

Moreover, the exhibit of the first-built Ferrari will take place this coming Friday, February 29, 2008 with the Tour Classique. Car enthusiasts and guests are obliged to take a close look on this vehicle and other stunning automobiles as they cruise past the streets of Palm Springs and other Coachella Valley cities starting 11 a.m. at the O’Donnell Golf Club.

"One of just a limited few built, the 1941 Packard is a perfect match for our event, because of its association with Darrin, who crafted many of his cars for the same celebrities that brought worldwide attention to Palm Springs in the early 1940s," says Merrigan, who notched first prize in the Post-war GT Italian Coachwork class at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1998.

This is not Will Smith in I Am Legend, but its legacy shows that like the last man on earth in the movie, neither time nor age (which I consider as the worst virus on earth ever!) can stop it from becoming 2008’s Car of the Year.  I’m referring to Fiat.

For the record, this is definitely not the first time Fiat bagged the same award. According to autobloggreen.com, the Fiat 124 got it in 1967, Fiat 128 (1970), Fiat 127 (1972), Lancia Delta (1980), Fiat Uno (1984), Fiat Tipo (1989), Fiat Punto (1995), Fiat Bravo or Brava in 1996, Alfa (1998), Alfa 147 (2001), Fiat Panda (2004) and recently, the Fiat 500 that preceded Mazda and the Ford Mondeo with 385 votes from 58 European journalists that composed the jury members.

The Fiat 500 or “Cinquecento,” Italian word for 500, was first launched about 50 years ago. Take note: it sold about 3,893,294 units and was labelled as the top-selling Fiat that time.  It is said to be a great contributory factor in Italy’s industrialization progress.

According to worldcarfans.com, the Fiat 500 was also awarded the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) five-star crash safety rating with its standard equipment including two dual stage front airbags, two front side airbags, two window bags and a driver’s knee airbag. It also features a high performance braking system, an ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). 

Cute and eco-friendly, the Fiat 500 comes in a retro-look but modern small car package, a 3-door model bearing compact dimensions - 355 centimeters long, 163 centimeters wide, 149 centimeters tall (does height measurement include the hood lift?)  and with a wheelbase of 230 centimeters.

It is considered as the most economical car in New Zealand with a choice of three engines designed to meet both the Euro-4 and Euro-5 environmental standards.

You can avail the Fiat 500 for $26,990 and get intimate with the legendary 2008 Car of the Year.