Automotive News

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Chevrolet

Motor Trend reports that the upcoming Corvette supercar will sport the ZR1 moniker when it’s finally unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Interchangeably dubbed “Blue Devil,” “SS,” and “Z07″ by the automotive media until now, the car will feature a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 introduced in the 2008 ‘Vette. Look for power and pricing significantly higher than that of the current top-dog Corvette Z06. Don’t worry, the Z06 won’t go away. The 505-horse car will simply become Corvette’s midrange offering. Man, it’s gonna be a party atmosphere in Cobo when they unveil this thing…

[Source: Motor Trend Blog]

 

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Filed under: Euro, Supercars, Ferrari

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Evidently Ferrari decided that it couldn’t wait to to unveil a track-bred sports car like the F430 Scuderia on a static auto show stage in Frankfurt. Instead Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo was accompanied by F1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen as they pulled the tarp of the lighter, more powerful F430 in a private gathering (read: no press) at the company’s Fiorano test track. Massa then slipped behind the wheel and pulled the car out the garage for some hot laps. This car’s noise is the type of thing that makes grown men lose control of their bladders. A lucky attendee with a camera has posted the video, which is mostly in Italian with some English sprinkled in. But when you’re talking Ferrari, who needs words? Just let the car do the talking!

The official media unveiling will indeed take place next week in Frankfurt. We’ll be there.

[Source: Google Video]

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Wagons/Estates, Audi

Click the image above for more high-res pics.

The folks over at Auto Motor und Sport (and Dubspeed) let loose several images and specs on Audi’s forthcoming RS6 Avant, and although the pics are pretty, the real story is the power. Sporting a 5.2-liter V10, complete with TSI and two turbos swinging from the exhaust manifolds, the RS6 will be producing upwards of 580 HP and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. This allows the Avant to jaunt to 60 in under 4.6 seconds and onto an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH.

The official unveiling is days away in Frankfurt, so expect more to follow.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via German Car Blog, Dubspeed via Jalopnik]

 

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

The build-up to the debut of the BMW X6 is nigh, and in addition to the de-camo’d mule that was spied earlier today, the boys from Bavaria have decided to let Chris Bangle explain the design ethos of the new SAV in front of a cloaked concept.

Mr. Bangle goes into detail over the six-minute flick about what BMW’s aim for the X6 is, who it’s targeting and what kind of capabilities we should expect from this ‘ute in coupe’s clothing. He even says that it might have some off-road prowess. We shall see.

In the meantime, check out the BMW-produced video after the jump and keep tabs on all the unveilings from the IAA in Frankfurt here.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW X6 teaser with Chris Bangle

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Etc., Euro, Alfa Romeo

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics.

While mass customization has slowly become a mainstay strategy for automakers courting buyers from all walks of life, Alfa Romeo’s particular program has some added cachet. Originally instituted with the introduction of the 8C Competizione, where buyers of Alfa’s flagship have a hand in tailoring their ultra-exclusive GT to suit, the new “Ultra-Alfa” customization program will filter its way down to the Italian automaker’s mass-market offerings. Three different “programs” will be available, ranging from “Vintage” to “TI”, that find influence with every aspect of Alfa’s heritage.

The “Vintage” program has a more classic feel, while the “Collezione” packages come complete with “perfumed” leather seats, contrasting stitching, metal inserts and plenty of other spizzarkle.

The “Turismo Internazionale,” or “TI” packages, draw more on Alfa’s racing tradition and centers on performance items that include revised suspensions setups and brakes, along with exclusive wheel designs and high-performance tires.

You can read through Alfa’s press release after the jump, and see its new-fangled wares below in the gallery before they debut next week in Frankfurt.

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Alfa Romeo allows individual pimpage

 

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Filed under: Motorsports, Supercars, Spyker

Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker has staved off bankruptcy by offloading its F1 team for a cool 80 million Euros ($110 million USD). That’s the kind of pocket change that new owner Vijay Mallya loses in his car seats every year. Mallya, currently ranked the world’s 664th richest man by Forbes, owns Kingfisher Airlines and the popular Indian beer of the same name, but is most famous in F1 circles for hosting lavish parties aboard his 311′ yacht “Indian Empress” over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.

This marks the first time an Indian individual or company has taken such a prominent role in international motorsport, though rumored Jaguar and Land Rover buyer Tata has sponsored Spyker’s predecessor Jordan in the past, and currently backs Williams F1. Both the Tata and Mallya families will now be lobbying Bernie Ecclestone hard to get a race around the streets of New Delhi on the F1 calendar within the next few years.

[SOURCE: The Guardian]

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Lincoln

UPDATE: Turns out we were tipped on the MKS spy shots, as well. Thanks to Jarrett A. for sending in the pics!

A friend who’s friends with our friends over at Jalopnik sent in spy shots of the new Lincoln MKS while it was on set apparently making a cameo appearance in the new Batman movie. These shots don’t get any clearer, with the front fascia, back end and everything in between fully exposed for the gawking.

The front end is significantly toned-down from the concept version that made its debut earlier in the year, but it still holds onto many of the elements that made the MKR a success. Out back, it is a bit bland, but it’s clean and elegant - exactly what we’d expect from Lincoln.

The MKS is set to be unveiled sometime next year, with sales likely to begin in the latter half of ‘08.

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Opel

While GM will be showing a high performance OPC version of the current Opel Vectra at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, it looks like we’ll have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show next March for the new Epsilon II Vectra. Nonetheless, an OPC version of new Vectra has been spotted lapping the Nurburgring. The car is still covered by vinyl tape meant to obscure the contours and confuse autofocus systems, but all of the heavy camo is now gone. The OPC coming next week, meanwhile, has a 280-hp turbocharged V-6, and this powertrain is likely to carry over to the new car.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Crossovers/CUVs, Acura

Click the Acura family photo for a high res gallery

After revamping its crossover lineup for the 2007 model year, Acura will have a very incremental 2008 model year. There are no new or redesigned models, but more equipment is being added across its entire lineup. The main emphasis this year is what the automaker calls its Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The all-wheel-drive system is available on the RDX, MDX and RL this year, and will be added to other models in the coming years including Acura’s upcoming “exotic” car, a.k.a. the NSX replacement.

The key feature of SH-AWD is its integration with the stability control inertial and driver input sensors. Most stability control systems rely on modulating the engine torque and selectively applying and releasing the individual wheel brakes to apply forces to the car and try and force it to follow the drivers intent. SH-AWD instead uses the clutch packs on either side of the rear differential to transfer drive torque to the appropriate wheel to stabilize the vehicle with much less brake intervention.

Continue reading after the jump and check out a video of some track laps in the RL.

Continue reading Acura shows off 2008 lineup with Super Handling-AWD

 

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Charges of anti-Americanism have followed the transmittal of an e-mail from the US Department of Health and Human Services to 67,000 federal workers. The e-mail, written by an unnamed member of the department, gives advice on buying a personal car and suggests making fuel efficiency the first consideration, citing the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid by name. Then, based on a list from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, it suggests 12 cars to look at, all of them imports. It also specifically recommends staying away from SUVs.

[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading Ford, Chrysler irked at feds’ potentially biased email

 

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