Companies often exploit our fondness for Spring in their marketing efforts. There are detergents that smell like flower beds, flora-inspired fashions and candles that give off the soft scent of freshly cut grass. We’re a people who like the restorative, born-again qualities of the season that emerges after a long, cold winter, and smart knows this. No stranger to unveiling special edition models of its fortwo model, the Daimler-owned brand will be showing off the new “edition limited three” model at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The “edition limited three” model tugs at our temporal heart strings with a new exterior color called Melon Green Metallic. The Spring-ish hue is carried over into the top soil-colored interior where it’s used as an accent on the seats, door panels and dash. smart says the interior also features dark brown “leather-effect details” – spoken like a true economy car salesman.

Available as a coupe or cabrio, the “edition limited three” is based on the company’s Passion trim level and also adds mhd, or Micro Hybrid Drive, which is another way of saying the powertrain has start/stop functionality to save fuel when the car is stopped or coasting at slow speeds. Since the fortwo seems to be gaining a lot of buzz in the U.S., we were hopeful this new special edition would also be sold in North America, but no mention of sales in the U.S. or Canada are made in the press release that can be read after the jump.

[Source: smart]

General Motors isn’t saying how it plans to do it, but according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it is saying that consumers are “…going to see substantial improvements in towing capability in our next hybrids.” Right now, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid can pull 6,100 pounds with their electrically-assisted, multi-displacement 6.0-liter V8 engines. The improvement will be “up to 50% more,” meaning a tow rating of 9,000 pounds could be coming this way.

If GM can wring a full 50% improvement out of the drivetrain, that would put the hybrids just 1,600 pounds short of the max towing capacity of the standard gasoline V8 crew cab half-ton with the enhanced tow package. The transmission torque capacity and the necessary cooling systems are the apparently the chief limitations to be overcome, and GM says if the current package can evolve enough, then “one of the things you might consider is E-Flex.” And how neat would a Volt pickup be?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Switzerland, the same country whimsical enough to bring us yodeling and cuckoo clocks, takes a decidedly draconian approach when it comes to speeding. Speeding that would get you a stern talking to and a big ticket in the U.S. will get you three days in jail, a 1,000 Swiss franc fine (about $850 USD), and a fine of 20% to 35% of your net monthly salary.

To watch over the potentially speeding populace, the Swiss police have added a raft of Audi S4s with laser radar to their arsenals. The black Audis with the tinted windows can detect your speed while they are driving behind you, in the opposing direction, or parked by the side of the road. If you’re going to take a spin in the canton, save your wild abandon for the chocolate, restrain yourselves on the roads. Hat tip to Jerome!

[Source: Car Platform]

Ford officials who are already sick of American enthusiasts carping endlessly about how we fail to get the “good” Focus in the U.S. may want to consider signing up for some bigger mailboxes. The 2.5-liter, 300-horsepower RS model is just now going on sale in Europe, and videos like this new one from Fifth Gear probably won’t help to stem the tide of invectives headed their way.

According to Fifth Gear, the RS returns a somewhat timid-sounding 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, but the RS promises keenly balanced performance elsewhere, with turbo lag that can actually be deployed to assist handling(!). In sum, the UK television program refers to the Blue Oval’s 163-mile-per-hour hatch as nothing less than “a bomb in a greenhouse.” Excuse us while we go take up gardening…

[Source: YouTube]

Last May, the I.DE.A Institute – an engineering and consultancy firm based in Turin, Italy – threw together a concept in 30 days to celebrate its 30th anniversary. At next month’s Geneva Motor Show, I.DE.A will show a more evolved version of the roadster in the form of the ERA concept.

The open-top two-door gains a set of gull-wing doors, more sculpted sides, a two-tier trunk and a tube-frame chassis in an attempt to show off the firm’s design and engineering prowess. Although the interior scaffolding and collagen-infused grille surround may leave something to be desired, we’re looking forward to seeing the ERA in person next week.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

I am amazed with cars which can speed off like a train if not a jet. The new Aston Martin V12 is yet another amazing sports car to pick whose powerful performance can claim victory at the Le Mans and the Nϋrburgring racing arena.

Expect the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Concept to become a reality as can be gleamed from the words of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ulrich Bez who has envisioned the still in concept new 600bhp performance of the V12 Vantage RS. Bez speaks of the Aston Martin as “the ultimate independent luxury sports car company.”

Consider this a powerful drive with a swiftness that can take you 62mph (100km/h) from rest in just 4.0 seconds and 100mph (160km/h) in just 8.5 seconds! Wow! Though its engine has been carefully harnessed, equal attention was given to reducing its weight so the V12 RS can achieve its maximum efficiency and performance on the race tracks.

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Concept’s exterior appears spunky but the features are functional. The bonnet louvres draw out air from the ducted cooling pack while its front bumper has cooling features for its carbon ceramic brakes.

Have this fetish for differently-toned horn? Then try the DiMora Motorcar Natalia SLS 2 as it promises to give you a variety of horn selection through a horntones system which will be fitted in every DiMora Motorcar V16 Natalia SLS 2 sports luxury sedan that will be produced.

It is easy to get the best car that can answer to your every whim provided you have the backing of the whole banking system. That may be an exaggeration but it’s near the truth.  This $2 million car is a case in point.

The DiMora Motorcar Natalia SLS 2’s horntones system comes with 256MB of flash memory which allows you to load your MP3 files for your very own horn system. You are allowed to boast with the 150-watt weatherproof and compression-driven speaker and the accompanying 110dB sound pressure level and I’m just talking about the horn system. It’s not yet the be-all and end-all of the whole car baby.

But why talk about something else that’s common in most cars when this horn system is the most significant in all of 100 years? Want some proof?  This horntones system is “Best New Product” winner in the 2007 SEMA Globe Media Awards. And that’s four awards in the SEMA not one proving the DiMora Motorcar Natalia SLS 2 goes beyond its horns.

With the GS and SE models, Hyundai is set to conquer the hatchback market, both have 1.6 – liter DOHC in-line four cylinder engine, peaking at 110 horsepower at 6000rpm. It has both manual and automatic transmissions, depending on the specifications of future owners.

Both the 2009 Hyundai Accent Hatchback models are prepped up with features that will make the Korean cars very attractive to buyers. The GS comes with the all so important cup holders in front with foldable rear seats to allow more space to load large cargo. It has an average audio system that comes complete with an auxiliary input jacks and tweeters.

The SE model is a sportier, younger version of the GS with illuminated vanity mirrors for those impromptu party occasions, fog lights, and 16 inch tires for added safety. Auto enthusiasts would appreciate the exterior mirrors that are power-adjustable so there’s no need to stress yourself out reaching for your mirrors.

The 2009 Hyundai Accent Hatchback models both come with air-conditioning, an audio system, power doors and windows, and with remote keyless entry and alarms.

The stiff competition on luxury vehicles has Jaguar coming out with the all new XF, with a look and features designed to rival the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class. It has 2 engine types, 300 and 400 horsepowers, with plans for a 500 horsepower engine later this year.

The Jaguar XF seats five adults comfortably, and is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged options in the U.S. market. It goes from 0 to 60mph in about 6 seconds or less, with wheel bases ranging from 18 to the 20 inch version in select models.

The XF is equipped with a state of the art Jaguar Drive Selector, and the Jaguar Sequential Shift in place of ordinary manual transmission, along with Jaguar’s Electric Parking Brake and Jaguar’s Computer Adaptive Technology Suspension. The XF also has voice control for audio and telephone features and Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids and Rear Camera Parking Aid, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The latest additions to the XF are at least eight speakers with touch – screen control options for satellite radio, iPod and MP3 players.  The 2009 Jaguar XF comes at the beginning price tag of $49,975 for the V8 300 hp model, $55,975 for the V8 Premium Luxury XF and $62,975 for the Supercharged XF 420 hp.

For $53,300, you can already drive away with the BMW M3, albeit with the most basic of accessories, but if money is not a problem, you can go for the optional trims, power mirrors, universal garage opener, digital compass and leather interiors, as well enhanced audio and sunroof.

There is also the technology package which comes with a navigation system, Comfort Access, EDC and M Drive. Safety is not a problem with the BMW M3 as comes with the much-improved Electronic Damping Control.

A 4.0 liter engine with a 420 horsepower and a torque of 295 pound-feet at 3,900 rpm is a standard in these sedans. The power of the car comes from its rear wheels via the six-speed manual gearbox or the M DCT dual – clutch unit. The new drive generates 100 percent locking action, making driving on all surfaces safe.

Finally the M3 has driver –adjustable controls for optimum control on steering, stability and damping. An optional “Mdrive” button on the steering wheel can be used to save each driver’s preferences.

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