Rumour is that the Swedish government have called emergency meetings to meet with GM! Maybe Saab will survive!?
In honor of the beating of Saab that’s occuring at the moment, today’s foto of the day is devoted to the ORIGINAL 1st Saab ever made..URSaab, the Saab 92. It had a drag coefficient of 0.30 (!!!) in 1947! Amazing.
DO NOT LET SAAB DIE, SWEDEN!!!
In a world full of spy shots, prototype photos, etc….it’s so cool to see a 1924 photo of a Bugatti Type 35b prototype. old school wow.
Well it doesn’t look that different, but there are some significant styling differences noticeable from these spy pics posted on Motor Authority.
The front nose is definitely higher, and the headlights are more upright, reminiscent of older 911s (ding ding….points for Porsche already!). Supposedly this is due to stricter EU pedestrian safety laws, but I like to think it’s due to taking the 911 back to its stylish roots!
I’m not sure what they are trying to do with the rear, and I get the feeling that the spoiler on this mule has been heavily camouflaged and subsequently distorted from the look it will have in production. I think that ‘whale tale’ is to throw off the pundits, or is it? Time will tell.
the long lost….. Bugatti Chiron 18/3 (1999 concept)
[click photo for hi-res.]
Audi has just introduced the new A8 in Miami at some art festival (can’t be arsed to look up which one!). On first impressions, the car looks GREAT. MORE INFO AFTER THE PICTURES.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL PDF PRESS RELEASE —–>>> PDF
Drivetrain Highlights:
• Optimized 4.2 FSI V8 specifications:
o FSI direct injection
o Audi Valvelift System (AVS) variable intake valve lift
o 8-speed transmission for improved fuel economy, responsiveness and driving comfort
o 372 hp (D3 A8 had 350 hp)
o 328 lb-ft (D3 A8 had 325 lb-ft torque)
o 0-100km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds
o 15% improvement in fuel consumption estimated vs. current A8 (EPA figures TBD)
o quattro ® AWD – latest generation with asymmetric rear-biased torque split (40/60)
| (inches) | LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | WHEELBASE |
| 2011 all-new Audi A8 (NWB) | 202.0 | 76.7 | 57.5 | 117.8 |
| 2004-2010 Audi A8/S8 (NWB) | 199.3 | 74.6 | 56.9 | 115.9 |
| 2004-2010 Audi A8 (LWB) | 204.4 | 74.6 | 57.3 | 121.0 |
| BMW 7 Series (NWB) | 199.7 | 74.9 | 58.2 | 120.9 |
| BMW 7 Series (LWB) | 205.2 | 74.9 | 58.3 | 126.4 |
| Lexus LS (NWB) | 199.2 | 73.8 | 58.1 | 116.9 |
| Lexus LS (LWB) | 203.9 | 73.8 | 58.1 | 121.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz S Class (LWB only in USA) | 205.1 | 73.7 | 58.0 | 124.6 |
The last TRULY interesting design that Cadillac made was in the shape of those bizarre and strange early 1980s Sevilles. I know, because my father had one back in the day. PINK with dark red velvet. Oh the horrors of pure luxury….but i loved that car when i was a kid. Mainly because it had so many cool digital things on the inside.
The CTS-V is fast…blah blah blah blah…but super boring. I guess that was the point. but THIS! it actually looks interesting, and they’re calling it the CTS Coupe.
from Motor Authority:
At launch, the CTS Coupe will only be available with GM’s 3.6-liter direct injected V-6, which is good for 304 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 27 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city. A 6-speed manual transmission comes fitted as standard, while a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters for pseudo manual control is offered as an option.
LINK FOR MORE INFO:
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1038841_2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-preview
The Honda S2000 is dead. I’ve got a sneaking feeling that it WILL be back quite shortly, in altered and new form of course. These are some interesting renderings from Grid/3dLuvr about a possible idea. Note that they have a striking similarity to the outgoing model, however it’s all tweaked up with added styling cues. Reminds me alog of the MB Gullwing that was debut’d recently…
more info here: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/05/honda-s2000-coupe-independent-concept.html
Autoweek is reporting that a 79 year-old former FIAT executive named Gian Mario Rossignolo is plotting to bring back the legendary De Tomaso name. Apparently he purchased the rights to the name from a bankruptcy court in Italy recently.
The launch lineup will consist of a crossover (????), a luxury sedan, and a coupe starting in 2011. Yeah, it doesn’t sound all that promising by words, but here’s hoping they ditch the sedan and crossover idea and concentrate on coming up with a cool sports car for consumption.
full article: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091119/CARNEWS/911199992
the EPIC SAAB Aero X concept from a couple of years ago. Let’s just hope Koeniggsegg really brings this sort of enthusiasm back into the fold!
The latest Porsche invention, the Boxster Spyder. Will be unveiled officially at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The weight has been chopped down to 28xx pounds, but it has also lost a proper roof! Check out the video under the foto.
For ages, Corvette fanboys have been singing the praises of Lingenfelter Vettes and how they can tear up supercars for breakfast, but obviously even Lingenfelter has grown so bored and tired of Corvettes that they have decided on new project. They have turned to making tacky looking body kits for the new Chevy Camaro. The car is now making 650+hp, up from the stock 430hp or so in the Camaro SS. But holy wow, it looks ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! Advice to Lingenfelter; go back to working on Corvettes and stop trying to built body kids, because you suck at it!
See the rest of the photos on the Car and Driver website:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept-auto_shows
This was due to be the replacement for the Lamborghini Urraco, however it was launched to the world as a concept in 1974 by Bertone, however the global economy was slumping, fuel costs were rising, and Ferrucio Lamborghini was retiring. From what i’ve read, there is widespread reporting that this Bravo was tested heavily prior to its introduction (40,000+ miles), but unfortunately it never made it to production. 3.0L engine pumping 300hp through a small, relatively light body and short wheelbase. Smaller, lower, and shorter than the Countach, it definitely ‘borrowed’ some ideas from the Countach.
It looks like Lamborghini would have definitely had an amazing rival to the Ferrari Dino, had they have made this…..
Word is, you can still see the car at the Bertone Museum in Turin, Italy.
If it is, i love it…….here’s hoping it’s still coming to the US as planned…
The original Lancia Delta Integrale was a beast of a car. Obviously we never recieved it imported to the USA, so it was added to the mental list of “yes i want but i cannot have” and put aside into the closet.
Lately there’s been some talk of Chryslers being sold here as rebadged Lancia Deltas (see article http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1036481_chrysler-lancia-to-share-products-delta-could-come-to-u-s ).
Could this mean that if a Delta Integrale or Delta HF is produced, then we might see one? Maybe as an ‘SRT’ model? Dodge Delta HF? Sounds funny i know…but it would be fantastic!
I can’t tell you what the article says, because i don’t know spanish. But the photos are great!
Thanks to Colla Verglas for the info: http://collaverglas.net/2009/10/17/per-somiar-que-no-quedi-lancia-delta-hf-per-luis-camino/
So if you look at the pictures of the new Audi E-Tron concept, the car looks MUCH smaller than an R8. It’s been described by some media as ‘wider and shorter than a Boxster”. So is this the much rumoured debut of the Audi R4?
IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS!
Photos: Left Lane News
Finally, we have a glimpse of the newest, over-the-top amazing Bugatti.
8 tail pipes, a split-opening hood, insane chrome bodywork, a split line in the front windshield, a swooping rear end reminiscent of an old Bugatti Atlantic, Veyron-esque styling cues, Bentley-like size, and an insanely evil front headlight which reminds me of that weird old horror film The Car.
As usual with Bugatti—-it is completely insane. 800hp insane. It’s got a W16 (similar to the one in the Veyron, but detuned) under the hood. I’m assuming it is AWD. Just take a bloody look at it will yer!! And watch the VIDEO at the end.
Here are the special ‘refinished” IEDEI photos of the new Bugatti 16c Galibier:
VIDEO!
Rumour, according to Jalopnik this morning was that there was some sort of ‘secret’ Bugatti 100 year anniversary event, by invitation only—where photos of a special car which is gonna be released to coincide with the 100 year anniversary, were leaked (see above photo!). Supposedly, this car is going to be debut’d at the Frankfurt Auto Show in the autumn.
Rumours are saying it’s a sedan—they’re probably right, but here’s hoping that it is a grand touring coupe. That would be FLY.
something like this, maybe?
Could never get enough of the 33 Stradale, can we?
click 2 times on each photo for hi-res versions!
Well, it’s undoubtedly one of the great icons in automotive history, the famous Gullwing Mercedes coupes of the 50s. We all know that Mercedes has been testing prototypes of the car very openly…and although very concealed, have provided insight into the direction MB are headed in…
Below are some ‘new’ sketches found on the Top Gear site, along with a couple original spy photos and what Top Gear claim, are the ‘actual’ interior shots of the production car. Either way, the car looks fantastic. Can’t wait to see the final product.
more pictures after the push—– Continue reading
Going back to the 60s for design? MB has decided that it’s going back to the 80s………..the 1880s! The new F-Cell Roadster Concept takes the design from the original, first car ever produced in the world—-the 1886 buggy made by Mercedes Benz!
Full details are not out yet, but the car is controlled by a joystick, has a top speed of only 25 km/h, and a hydrogen fuel cell technology for power. I really dig the stitched leather seats, which are laying over the carbon fibre seats (imagine that on a 1886 car!). The body is composed of lightweight carbon fibre and F1 type fibreglass. Very interesting stuff…click here to see more photos! Continue reading
The Cadillac XLR is probably the worst example of Cadillac trying to build its own Corvette…it’s merely an overpriced, overstyled, old-man example of a Corvette. I’m not sure why ANYONE would buy one.
Back in 1955, Cadillac had a go at reviving the “La Salle” nameplate that they had stopped producing back in 1941. What they came up with were 2 models, a sedan and a roadster. The roadster is very interesting, a low slung, strangely designed, overly complex, italian-looking design with some pretty cool design features. It looks about the size of an original Corvette, and even has some similar proportions—however i think it actually looked much cooler than those early Corvettes. Harley Earl was in charge of this project as well….and its destiny was solely confined to the concept car wasteland!
This car was sent to the junkyard to be destroyed…..but apparently a man in Michigan FOUND the car there, and has plans to restore it.
recent photo of it:
Well, so all these rumours around about how a C7 Corvette is gonna be mid-engined (if GM even survives their current downfall!), but hey Chevy already tried some concepts with that! This 1968 Chevrolet Astro II XP-880 (not to be confused with the morbid Chevy Astro van of the 80s/90s) is amazing in pretty much every way. It’s got a gorgeous body, hinting at some of the 70s Corvettes—but far overreaching them in nearly every respect. This is the Corvette Chevrolet SHOULD have built….but never did sadly. It looks inspired by the Miura and Ford GTs of the 60s, but has its own character….another one lost in the archives of the wasteland.
IEDEI 