Image: Motor Authority
The gorgeous product of a seemingly odd union between Audi and Lamborghini just lost its top, and seems to have benefited from the change. Our colleagues over at the Motor Authority snagged some spy shots of the V10 R8 Spyder running wild on the Nurburgring, so make the jump to see more.
For the ultimate in high-speed luxury BRABUS presents its record holding Maybach 57. BRABUS set the World Record at 205.2 mph for the Worlds Fastest and Most Exclusive Ultra-Luxury Sedan with their version of the Maybach 57. This record setting run bested their last record setting run in the Maybach 57 that reached 195 mph.
To push the luxury to that world class speed they supplanted their 6.3L SV12 S Biturbo Engine and its upgraded 730-hp beneath the Maybach bonnet. Thus as every business executive is want to do they can now be transported from meeting to meeting in race conditions and from the comfort of their own reclining custom leather seat. They can even throw-up (not literally, but maybe) their latest stock information on the 15 in. flat screen displays that rest comfortably in the headrests of the drivers and front passengers seats.
The Maybach Exelero is a one-off high-performance sports car designed and built by German luxury car manufacturer Maybach, and presented in May 2005 in Berlin, Germany. The Exelero is a chopped-down two-seater coupe with a bored out 5.9 liter V12 engine that puts out 700 hp and over 738lb ft of torque. Despite its 5,864 pounds, it can get up over 218mph and can go from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.
The car’s design was the result of a competition among students at the Pforzheim Polytechnic Department of Transport Design, which has worked on show vehicles for Fulda in the past. The design of 24-year-old Fredrik Burchhardt was chosen. That’s got to be pretty cool to have your student project design get made into an $8 million dollar car.
2009 Maybach 62S Landaulet
2009 Mazda MX-5
After scores of spy shots and a few obscure glimpses in the Need For Speed Underground trailer video, official images of the new 2009 Nissan 370Z have finally been released. Intended as a replacement for the current Nissan 350Z, the new 370Z is intended to elevate Nissan’s “attainable” coupe closer to GT-R performance levels while still maintaining a price tag that won’t induce a cold sweat. Starting the overhaul underneath the hood, the 370Z borrows its powertrain from the Infiniti G37, thereby upgrading the Nissan coupe to a 3.7L V6 that produces 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Saving some of the juicier details for the Nissan 370Z’s official reveal at the LA Auto Show, Nissan has refrained from either confirming or denying whether a V8 option will be available or – more importantly – whether or not the 370Z will be equipped with the same dual-clutch tranny as the GT-R.
The highly anticipated specs for the 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V have leaked their way into the auto blog world and are dispelling quite a few rumors that had begun to brew. Contrary to fanboy belief, the new GT-R Spec-V will not be equipped with a 520-hp engine but will instead be powered by the same 478-hp twin turbo V6 found under the hood of the current GT-R. Since big girls don’t get much love from speed demons, Nissan attempted to slim down the 3,814lb curb weight by replacing the rear seats with a carbon fiber shelf. The interior and exterior aerodynamic components also received the carbon fiber treatment, but it’s unclear how successful the tweaks were in reducing the overall curb weight since Nissan has decided to sit on that particular detail for now.
Cobra N+ 370Z
Forget the GT-R, the most exciting car in the stable at Nissan may be the new 370Z. The newly revised sports car has been getting all sorts of love from critics, tapped for possible hybrid duties in the near future, and now German tuner company Cobra N+ is offering a host of upgrades that, at least on the surface, put the Nismo Z to shame.
Nissan Mixim Concept
Look Ma, no cords! Though there is a preponderance of electric vehicles in the works and few on the road, Nissan is already hard at work on improving them. Using inductive charging methods recently perfected on smaller devices like cell phones, Nissan’s upcoming Zero Emission Vehicle will be able to charge wirelessly inside a special parking bay. Even better is their plan to help charge your car on the way to work.
Eagerly awaited by both environmentalists and gearheads alike, the 2010 Fisker Karma broke cover at the 2009 North American International Auto Show today poised to strike fear in the hearts of other hybrid vehicle manufacturers. Enjoying only its second year on the market, the new Karma didn’t undergo any significant design changes for 2010, but it does give bigger, wealthier companies a reason to sit up and take note. According to Fisker Automotive founder and former Aston Martin designer, Henrik Fisker, the extremely advanced battery system found under the 2010 Karma’s hood is light-years ahead of the competition. Privately funded by the same venture capitalists partly responsible for building the Google empire, a considerable amount of financial freedom has allowed Fisker to invest heavily in lithium-ion battery development.
While some concept vehicles have boasted similar capabilities, the 2010 Fisker Karma as revealed today is completely production ready and fully capable of living up to its impressive spec sheet. Powered by a 201-hp electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec® direct injection, the Fisker Karma’s advanced technology provides for both a whopping 100 mpg fuel-efficiency average and a 260-horsepower performance output. No, your Prius can’t do that.
2009 Jeep Liberty
The Jeep Cherokee had, and still has, such a loyal following, that following its replacement with the Liberty in 2001, Jeep lost alot of respect among off-road lovers. It wasn’t that the original liberty was a bad vehicle in comparison to say, the Honda CR-V; it was that it was such a significant departure away from the toughness that Jeep had fostered for over half a century. The newest Liberty is a step back towards its roots in both style and performance, but is it enough? Or is the 2009 Liberty more Compass than Cherokee?
Land Rover LRX Concept
Acura ZDX Concept
2009 Silverado Hybrid
Subaru’s Legacy and Outback never sold in numbers to rival the big-name family sedan competition, but it doesn’t mean the cars didn’t find a niche. The Outback, a raised wagon version of the Legacy, has become a favorite of suburban families and outdoorsy folks. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive, it’s especially popular as an SUV alternative in snowy climates. The Legacy sedan was particularly fun to drive, with an accomplished chassis that combined compliance with responsiveness, yielding something of a budget BMW. (Even now, I miss driving our basic, light blue 2008 Legacy 2.5i.)
But the Legacy/Outback had two problems: rear seat room wasn’t adult-friendly and fuel economy suffered from the weight of that standard all-wheel drive. So to better match the competition, Subaru brought a full 2010 redesign that targeted these shortcomings. To address space needs, the cars are wider and have more rear seat leg room, and fuel economy is enhanced with a continuously-variable transmission.
With the redesign, Subaru changed the options structure on the Legacy/Outback. They used to equip cars like Honda: you pick a model and you get what it’s got. Period. Simple on the surface, but Subaru had so many different model lines that they rivaled Heinz’s 57 varieties.
This time around, there are a few less models but more available options. For instance, you can skip the sunroof if you want more head room, or you can forgo heated seats if you live in Florida. (Given where Subarus typically live, it’s a fair bet that most will have those heated seats.)
We recently bought a Legacy 2.5i Premium and an Outback 2.5i Limited to test. (We’ll pick up a Legacy 3.6R Limited soon.) Our Legacy is modestly equipped. Stickering at $23,830, it has the optional CVT and Cold-Weather Package. Our Outback Limited is more lavish, with standard heated leather seats, harman/kardon stereo, and an optional sunroof and all-weather mats. It rings in at $30,099.
First impressions? The cars are well-finished inside and have more passenger room than before--a definite plus. Fuel economy from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines has been in the mid-20s in mixed rural driving. (Our last Legacy got 23 mpg overall; the previous four-cylinder Outback returned 21 mpg.)
But many of us miss the fun-to-drive character of the previous chassis; the new steering lacks the same feel. Both cars have an odd drivetrain whine. Combining the unique sound of a somewhat-overworked flat-four engine with the CVT’s tendency to accentuate high-revs creates a ruckus when accelerating hard. Finally, a few of us wonder what this car offers over a cheaper Forester.
In emulating the mainstream competition, has Subaru lost some of the verve that made the cars distinct? We’ll see how the cars do in our upcoming full test.
General Motors’ investment in the Transformers films has created significant brand and vehicle recognition among today’s pop-culture-weened youth. As these budding automotive and Autobot enthusiasts grow up, they may fondly recall the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformer Special Edition much like Generation X recalls a certain black Pontiac Trans Am from the “Smokey and the Bandit” films.
The Tranformers transformation creates a factory-built version of Bumblebee, a central, mechanical character in both CGI-intensive films. To order a Transformer, the customer must choose a Rally Yellow exterior, though the package can be applied to a V6 LT or the more potent V8 SS. It can be further upgraded with the optional RS appearance package.
The special-edition coupe includes distinctive black rally stripes with a Transformers logo. This logo is also applied to the driver and passenger door sill plates. The Autobot shield, which marks Bumblebee as a good guy, is applied to the wheel centers, side panels, and center armrest. (Below is photo of the real Bumblee from the 2009 New York auto show.)
The Transformers package costs $995. While that may seem like a lot for stripes and medallions, the memories for any kids would be priceless.
Before Chevrolet made this announcement, we had traveled all the way to North Carolina to purchase a Rally Yellow SS with the RS package. Even without the toy-inspired badges, this 426-horsepower muscle car has been making the staff feel younger.
Ultimately, it is the balance of nostalgia and modern performance that puts the All Spark in the fifth-generation Camaro. With “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” in theaters, General Motors saw movie magic help move 9,320 Camaros in June. That is more cars than the Buick, Cadillac, and Saturn divisions each delivered that month. For now, the numbers we’re watching at our track are measuring quarter-mile times and braking distances. And both are impressive. But still, an Autobot badge would be cool…
Possible Sale for Sky and Saturn?
Up to this point, there has been relatively little interest in any of the three of the brands GM says it definitely needs to sell or eliminate in order to survive. Hummer has been for sale for almost a year and Saab is sure to follow. However, this past week a private equity firm, Black Oak Partners, has come forward as potential new owner of GM’s Saturn, offering to keep the brand and its dealership network intact.
Renault Megane Trophy Concept
Is a stateside Renault built for Saturn a complete pipe-dream? Following up on a report from Bloomberg over future Saturn production, the new/future owners of the former GM brand are addressing rumors of possible replacement models coming from Renault or Nissan. At the same time Roger Penske has thankfully taken Smart cars out of the mix for Saturn dealers…sort of.
You can always count on “Colonel” Bob Lutz, fighter jet pilot and GM demagogue, to keep us on our toes. Today’s bombshell? The on again, off again Pontiac G8 shall have another day in the sun … as a Chevy Caprice! GM head honcho Fritz had nixed the idea of rebadging the burly sedan, but good old Lutz realized he couldn’t just let the sedan totter off into the woods to die alone. Said Lutz to Automobile Magazine, “The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste.” We agree heartily.
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
2009 Saab 9-7X Aero
Cute, but $50k cute?
Mitsubishi’s innovative i-MiEV electric city car will go on sale this year in Japan, despite having an eye-watering price tag approaching $50,000 (dollars, not yen! 50,000 yen probably wouldn’t buy chewing gum). The little guy incorporates Mitsubishi’s MiEV system (did the name tip you off?), but confusingly, drops the in-wheel electric motors usually employed in MiEV cars in favor of a traditional battery array and single electric motor. More details inside.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS
Everyone who knows anything about those fine Bavarian sportscars with the roundel on the hood knows that if your car sports an M-badge, it’s usually backed up by a seriously good motor and a lot of tweaking. That is, unless you’re either a poser who shaved your 318i and slapped a M3 logo on, or this distressing styling package from our Bayerische friends. Take a regular 7-Series, add “unique styling accessories” like new front and rear bumpers, more chrome, and … wait for it … M-Design wheels, and you get this.
BMW’s looking to take on the newest Audi RS6 by producing a boosted version of the M5’s V10 motor, which sources say should make more than 600 HP. The new engine is said to be a development of the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 from the X6M, which makes 564 HP already. With two extra cylinders and the M division’s careful caressing, the newest M5 should be more than a match for the RS6’s bi-turbo V10, which makes 580 HP currently.
Formerly recognized for its outstanding achievements in the field of fruity design, the all-new 2010 BMW Z4 has ushered in a new era for the wannabe Porsche-fighter and, quite frankly, is impressing the hell out of us. Formerly a car most commonly associated with Appletinis and Gucci loafers, the new Z4 is a beefier, more aggressive machine that leaves its old stigma in the dust.
Recognizing this notable achievement, the Virginia-based Industrial Designers Society of America bestowed the 2010 Z4 with the bronze award for design excellence, making it BMW’s 6th award from the IDSA since 2000 (a notable achievement, all Bangle’s blunders considered). Although the official press release was lousy with industry-standard buzzwords like “superior design” and “sophisticated surface,” Bimmer’s PR department eventually managed to call attention to one of the Z4’s most legitimately striking feature: the retractable hardtop. In years past, the only Z4 most sports car enthusiasts’ would be caught dead in was a hardtop and even then only if they were promised a pack of unfiltered cigarettes and something cute to punch. Now, the Z4 convertible is offered with a retractable hardtop which allows it to maintain its studly coupe exterior while still providing the thrill of feeling the wind in your over-styled hair.
2009 Lexus ES 350
Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept
Vince Vaughn quoting aside, Suzuki’s all out offensive into previously unthinkable areas of auto making continues with the third concept in their latest series of prototypes; the 2009 Kizashi 3. The typically economy car producing company already has plans for a Nissan Frontier-based truck and judging by recent marketing ads is attempting to remake the image of their SX4 as a viable Mini alternative. In Japanese Kizashi translates to something like “foretaste.” With the bold-looking Kizashi 3, the first attempt by Suzuki to take on the midsize car market is a serious look at what the future may hold.
Suzuki XL7
Depending on who you ask, the Suzuki XL7 is either a big compact SUV or a Midsize Crossover. Whatever you want to call it (SUV, Crossover, Glorified Van) the XL7 is capable of moving 7 people, has a 4 star crash rating and America’s best warranty. So why is it also one of the worst-selling vehicles in America?
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
As any of the now-struggling auto makers can attest, changing perceptions about a brand is an extremely hard proposition. Likewise, despite lingering image issues to the contrary, Suzuki’s original compact SUV “Sidekick” is long gone and in its place is the Grand Vitara. And while it is not completely capable of tossing off previous criticisms, it may be the best small SUV on the market.
Suzuki Splash: One Byproduct of Suzuki/GM Coupling
Reading like a reenactment of German and Japanese diplomacy during WWII, Volkswagen continues to consolidate its status as the world’s most dominant automaker with discussions of acquiring a stake in Suzuki while the Japanese automaker relaxes ties with former affiliate GM.
Suzuki SX4 Gains SportBack Sibling in 2010
Audi R10
As a follow up to my recent article about last week’s Generac 500 race at Road America in Wisconsin; Audi and their supremely powerful turbo diesel R10’s finished with the overall first and second place finish in the LMP1 class. It was the second consecutive time in the American LeMans Series that Audi has come in with the top two spots.
In stark contrast to the two major appendages and one liver Ford requires for the privilege of driving a Mustang GT500 off the lot, the high-performance 2010 Camaro SS will be available for a mere $30,995. Claiming a lap time of 8:20 ’round The Ring (not too shabby considering the Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.4 time), the Camaro SS comes with a 6.2L V8 which, mated with an automatic transmission, produces 400-horsepower and 395 lb-ft. Should you swap the automatic for a manual, performance will shoot from 400-hp to 422-hp, and from 395 lb-ft to 408 lb-ft. Regardless of the gearbox, however, the SS’s V8 is still expected to average 23 mpg on the highway, providing the ideal fuel efficiency for cruising along the New Jersey Turnpike, listening to your big-haired, orange-skinned girlfriend snap her gum seductively.
Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) has finally whisked the cover off their newest work of art, the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, and, as we expected, it’s a beaut’. Undeniably one of the baddest snakes yet, the Shelby GT500 received quite a performance boost for 2010 and now features under the hood a supercharged intercooled 5.4L DOHC V8 capable of churning out a thundering 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.
Paying homage to the original king Cobras from the ’60’s, Ford attempted (successfully) to integrate classic muscle car styling with advanced aerodynamic modifications befitting a beast of its power. Seeking to enhance to performance of the GT500’s new supercharged V8, Ford equipped the 2010 Shelby with features like a hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and a “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce (additions which, unlike the vents pressed onto the side of V6 ‘Stang the 20-something bottle-blonde down the street from you drives, are fully functional).
Ferrari 330 P3, otherwise known as the definition of hot.
Just in time for the upcoming Le Mans race this weekend, it’s a book all about the coolest automotive rivalry of all time, fought at over 200 MPH on the Mulsanne Straight. It’s Enzo Ferrari versus Henry Ford II, and money is no object. The goal is worldwide bragging rights, and the dueling weapons are two of the most iconic racecars of all time: the Ford GT40 and the Ferrari 330 P3. The book is “Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans.” Make the jump for an excerpt of the book, from the author’s website.
In this installment of “Like Father, Like Son,” we’re taking a look at a prestigious American racing family, whose exploits brought fame and glory to Ford and vexed Enzo Ferrari to no end … the Ford GT40 and its spiritual successor, the Ford GT. Will the GT make its father proud? Make the jump to find out.
It’s very hard to find original car designs anymore, especially attractive ones. Like women, there are just certain features in cars that are timelessly beautiful, even after accounting for individual tastes. So after a while, it’s not surprising that exotic cars begin to look pretty similar. But when we look at Krasnov Igor’s Marussia concept, we find an unusually high number of familiar design cues. There are so many, in fact, that it can be sort of a game trying to name them all.
For instance, the front end has the overall smoothness and the headlights of an F430. But the gaping front intakes evoke the Murcielago. In the rear, this mid-engine car has a Ford GT sort of rear end, except the taillights have been super-sized into jet thrusters a la Batmobile. The forward leaning cockpit does have a Zonda feel to it. Overall, though, the flat polygonal surfaces inspire more Reventon than anything else.
