SCOOP: 2008 Skoda Roomster Scout

These phone camera spy pics reveal that Skoda is working on an crossover edition of its new compact MPV, Roomster. Like the Octavia Scout, the Roomster Scout gets newly designed bumpers at the front and rear, body-colour side mouldings and profiled door sills. Protective strips on the wheel housings, sumpguard protection (front and rear) and the higher ground clearance complete the 4x4 package. But unlike its Octavia counterpart, I highly doubt that the Roomster Scout will get a 4x4 drivetrain.

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SCOOP: 2008 Mercedes E-Class

Can't say for sure whether the designers over at Auto Motor und Sport had inside info or not when they came up with the E-Class renderings, but they sure do look s-e-x-y! Something between a CLS and a S-Class, the next generation E-Class shown here combines tectonic elegance with Italian brio. Lets hope that when the car comes out late 2008 - early 2009, it will look a lot like these renderings.

Design apart, from what we gather the new E-Class will use a bunch of S-Class gimmicks and safety options. As for the engine range, in Europe, the basic model will use an updated version of the 1.8 Kompressor which will be presented next year -probably first on the SLK, while the top spec AMG will continue using the naturally aspirated 6.3 V8 541Hp engine found on the current E55 AMG. There will also be a hybrid version that will use the GM-Mercedes-BMW co-developed drivetrain -read more about it here: Carscoop. Via: Automotorundsport

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Toyota FJ Cruiser Race Truck To Debut At The 38th Baja 1000 Rally

At this years 38th Baja 1000 Race, the FJ Cruiser will be certain to set all coyotes howling in the night and all rattlers runnin' home to mama as this grueling monster races from Ensenada to La Paz across Mexico's barren Baja California.

Entered in the Mini Stock Class, it will be driven in the four day race (Nov 15-18th) by the father-son team of Rod and Ryan Millen, with additional driving support from Adam Dupre. Rod is the current record holder in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (10 min & 4.6 sec) set in 1994 in a Celica Turbo. He claimed 5 overall Pikes Peak Championships and 8 class championships.

Just its roof mounted lights and its obstacle crushing, dust churning; 16" black TRD wheels are enough to create a desert storm. The FJ Race Truck contains several performance and safety modifications including a revised suspension and heavy-duty Roll cage among the most visible, yet it remains primarily a stock vehicle. Performance features include BFG A/T LT285/75R16 tires on 16" black TRD wheels with two onboard spares.

The Race Truck is based on the all-new TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser, 3,200 of which will be produced. It goes on sale at Toyota dealerships this week. Coming soon to a mud-pit near you...

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