Honda Accord Tourer Taxi Cab: You Won't Be Seeing this Acura in the States

While Acura has confirmed that it will bring the European Honda Accord Tourer to the U.S. as the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon in fall 2010 (the Euro Accord and the TSX are virtually one and the same), it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see one in a yellowish finish with a Taxi roof sign. But if you're planning a trip to Germany, you might very well be able to hitch a ride on a Accord Tourer Taxi - that is, if you manage to spot one among all the Mercs.

The Euro-spec model is powered by a 2.2-liter i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel that delivers an output of 150 horsepower and 350Nm or 258 lb-ft of peak torque returning a combined fuel economy of 6.6 lt/100 or 35.7mpg US in the European cycle.

The new Accord Tourer Elegance cab comes equipped with a taximeter case, wireless telephone pre-installation and special brackets for the taxi sign while the station wagon's standard features include an electric tailgate, cruise control, leather steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, MP3-capable CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The taxi version of the Accord Tourer is available for order now in Germany with pricing set at €20,690 or at today's exchange rates, US$29,800.

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Irmscher Upgrades its 2010 Opel Astra Styling Kit

Longtime Opel tuner Irmscher has expanded its 2010 Astra offerings with the launch of 20-inch alloy wheels that are available in various designs and can be wrapped in 235/35 R20 tires. The new rims complement the tuner's styling package that was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and includes 18-inch alloys and a body kit with a new grille, front lip spoiler, rear apron with a diffuser, side skirts and a roof spoiler.

Buyers can also upgrade the new Astra with a sport exhaust system with two or four tail pipes and a suspension kit that lowers the car's ride height by 30mm for a sportier stance.

On the inside, Irmscher's offerings include a leather package for the seats, door panels and central armrests, matt aluminium door-locking pins and sport pedals.

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Spare $15,000? Officially Licensed 1965 Ford Mustang Pool Table

Men love cars. Men like playing pool. It's easy to draw a simple conclusion: men would most likely love playing pool on a car. And that's how we imagine that the idea of creating a Mustang pool table was born. Made with a solid fiberglass body molded from a 1965 Mustang that can be ordered in various colors, the pool table comes complete with alloy rims and wheels.

And while the builder shortened the length of the car shell to fit the table, both the front and rear ends are the same size as the original 'Stang and feature working lights, chrome decals and bumpers.

The maker of the '65 Mustang pool table, 'Mustang Entertainment Inc.' plans to debut its newest product at next month's Barret-Jackson Auto Auction (Jan. 18, 2010 - Jan. 24, 2010).

The problem with the 1965 Mustang pool table, which by the way, is an official licensed product, is its price that will set you back a hefty $14,995. If you're still interested, the pool table can be ordered either online or over the phone by calling 727.827.8268.

Link: Mustangpooltable

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Chrysler Said to Show All-Electric Fiat 500 as well at Detroit Auto Show

Following yesterday's rumors about a new Chrysler model based on a Lancia vehicle, a news report today claims that the Chrysler Group will also reveal an all-electric version of the Fiat 500 at the Detroit auto show in January, without however giving out any specific details. In addition to the 500 EV, it is said that Chrysler will also display the entire Fiat 500 lineup at its Detroit booth, including the standard model, the 500C Moon Roof err.. Convertible and the sporty 500 Abarth.

The North American version of the Fiat 500 will be built at Chrysler's Toluca plant in Mexico, with sales set to begin in fall 2010. The base version of the city car will be powered by Fiat's new 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder gasoline engine.

The tin-top model will be followed in 2011 by the 500C Convertible which gets an electronically retractable canvas roof as opposed to a full convertible top, while Fiat will complete the range in 2012 with the presentation of the sporty 500 Abarth powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

In North America, the Fiat 500 will be sold at select Chrysler dealerships.

Via: Autonews

PS: All photos are of the Fiat 500 Aria

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The Muschallaro: Part Challenger, Part Camaro, Part Mustang

A talented modeler named Robert D. came up with the wacky idea of creating a scale-model that combines elements from the latest editions of Detroit's pony cars: the body of a Chevy Camaro, the front end of a Dodge Challenger and the rear-end of the Ford Mustang. And this here is the result.

"I like the main body of the Camaro better than the Challenger. I like the Challenger front end better than the Camaro. Once the idea was in my head to add Mustang to the equation, it all came together, because I found out pretty quickly that the three could combine into one," Robert stated in a forum for model cars.

We don't have to tell those of that you have ever attempted to make a custom model that it's easier said than done. Nevertheless, after four painstaking months of work, Robert pulled it off.

And even if you disagree with the aesthetics or the parts of the three muscle cars that were chosen for the model, you can't but admire the result from a technical point of view.

Now, any ideas what the tri-pony car should be named?

Source: Fotki , Via: Model Cars and Car Domain - Thanks for the tip Marcus!

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Bugatti Files Trademarks for 16C Galibier Sport Sedan

The bean counters over at the Volkswagen Group are still gauging customer reactions to the Bugatti 16C Galibier concept to see if there's enough interest to build a production version, but just to be on the safe side - we all remember the Chinese Rolls Royce Phantom clone - they decided to trademark the design of the sports saloon at the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The trademark was applied for the concept model, so there's new to be seen in the design sketches.

If the 16C Galibier receives the 'green light', it will most likely go on sale after Bugatti ends production of the Veyron production in 2012.

The almost production-ready concept model features a 16-cylinder, 8.0-litre flex-fuel engine with two-stage supercharging that is believed to produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 horsepower.

Power is channeled to all-four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission while Bugatti also developed a unique suspension and special ceramic brakes for the sports saloon.

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Fiat 500 to get 0.9-liter Turbocharged Two-Cylinder Engine in 2010

We just got our hands on the Fiat Group's refreshed product plan for 2010 and 2011 that was introduced by the firm's CEO Sergio Marchionne in Rome today. We'll bring you the full monty later on but here's a taster of what the company is planning to launch into the market.

Next year will see the arrival of Fiat's long anticipated New Small Gasoline Engine that will make its premiere on the 500 mini. The innovative 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine features turbocharging and Fiat's Multiair technology that controls the intake valves, depending on the horsepower needed.

Fiat says that while the new engine offers the same performance as a larger naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, fuel economy and, as a consequence, CO2 emissions are significantly improved.

In addition to the advantages in fuel consumption, the twin-cylinder engine is also said to be 20 per cent lighter in weight and more compact in size compared to a 4-cylinder engine with the same output.

"This is the maximum expression of the concept of downsizing, offering lower consumption and emissions without impacting performance," Marchionne said during the presentation.

The new two-cylinder engine is expected to be offered in two turbocharged variants developing 80HP and 105HP while Fiat will add a 65HP naturally aspirated version, also equipped with the Multiair system followed up by a CNG version.

At least in Europe, the twin-cylinder engine will find its way on the Fiat Group's A- and B-Segment models like the Fiat 500, Panda and Punto EVO.

More to come once we sort our the papers out so stay tuned.

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