Imagine the car that most accurately approximates the spirit of rock music. A with a Hemi under the hood? A ? Maybe an old ? How about a Renault Wind? Well, maybe not, but the French automaker is, at least, the one that has teamed up with Gibson for a pair of unique creations.
The partnership includes, first of all, a special-edition Gibson SG ‘61 guitar with decked out in Gordni blue with white stripes and Gordini nameplate. The collaboration has also extended to a unique Renault Wind Gordini by Gibson show car that features the same paint scheme as the guitar (and other Gordini models) but with Gibson logos and guitar strings woven right into the leather seats. Even the audio system has Gibson guitar knobs for controls.
This isn’t the first time that cars and guitars have teamed up on these pages, what with the and the . Whether it’s a worthwhile use of the Gibson name, however, is a matter of perspective. for the press release and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.
The is nearly upon us, and concept vehicles are flying out of the ether at an ever-increasing rate. has foisted the latest concept salvo upon the automotive world with its electric A2 concept. It’s a compact four-seater with an eye towards tomorrow’s style and long-range performance.
With the A2 Concept, Audi is looking to move its LED lighting technology into the next generation. The headlights feature a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam and high-efficiency low beam light modules. For the taillights, Audi is looking towards laser lighting, and the rear-facing illumination uses diodes that project a beam of light while also adapting to the changing lighting conditions. Additionally, the brake lights will adjust their illumination based on how much force is applied to the pedal.
There’s no word on what will power this A2 concept, but Audi promises a mixture of long driving ranges and performance. It will certainly be a neat trick if it can deliver both.
for the press release, and check out more of the A2 concept by clicking through the gallery. We imagine that some of what you see here in rendered-conceptual form will make it into upcoming Audi small cars.
embraced the social media movement early on, and it proved a successful tactic ahead of the launch of its then all-new . The automaker is once again taking to Facebook and Twitter, this time to keep hatchback fans in the loop of the production progress of the upcoming . Key folks involved in the development of the hot hatch are putting together video updates, which will then be offered up exclusively to the vehicles Facebook fans and Twitter followers.
Over 300,000 Facebook users have signed on to get updates on the car so far.
Ford’s director of global performance vehicles and motorsport business development, behind the wheel of a Focus ST as it takes on various driving conditions at the automaker’s Lommel test facility in Belgium. to see Capito explain his testing, and how the Lommel facility mimics roads from around the world. Also, head over to if you want to become a fan of the upcoming ST.
There’s some good news and some not-so-good news when dissecting sales figures for August of 2011. For one, posted notable gains for all of its brands, especially , which managed to score an impressive 58-percent sales rise over the same period a year ago.
also impressed with its figures, with Cadillac’s four-percent gain the only one of its brands not to post a double-digit rise.
Of the Japanese brands, only , with a 19-percent overall gain in sales, was able to adequately recover from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that have been plaguing all automakers for the past several months. That said, both and managed to post smaller losses than what were recorded a month ago.
Further, the (30,185 total sales) was again the best-selling automobile (behind the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks, naturally) in August, as it was in July, after briefly to the in June. Have a gander at the complete set of August sales results in our handy-dandy chart below.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 26 selling days in August 2011 versus 25 selling days in August 2010, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.
Say what you will about the Alfa Romeo 159, but it’s arguably one of the most attractive sports sedans on the (foreign) market. And when it’s gone, it will be missed. But gone is precisely what it will be soon, as the group begins its gradual discontinuation.
According to reports, production of the 159 has already ceased as the assembly plant in Naples where it’s built is re-tooled for production of the new Fiat Panda. The entire model line has reportedly disappeared from the order books in several keys markets, including the UK, while other markets continue offering the 159 from stockpiles built up ahead of the factory’s temporary closure, but that means only four colors and one engine are available.
The 159 was a model mired by its shortcomings from the get-go. Although the Giugiaro styling turned heads, its edgy front end made for pour aerodynamics. The GM-sourced platform didn’t serve the car well, and neither did its engines. And while it was originally engineered to meet U.S. regulations, the brand’s return to the American market was pushed back time and time again, and is still yet to arrive.
The departure of the 159 leaves a gaping hole in not only Alfa Romeo’s but the entire Fiat group’s line-up. Aside from the and Lancia-badged , the -sized Alfa Giulietta, Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo hatchbacks now stand as the largest passenger vehicles the company offers. And with the 159’s successor – expected to be dubbed Giulia – not expected until later in 2013, it looks to stay that way for another couple of years at least.
The factories were supercars are made can often be as impressive, if not more so, than the vehicles they produce. Unfortunately few of us ever get to see them, remote as they often are from our locales and generally not open to the public. That’s where Megafactories comes in.
The National Geographic program – broadcast Stateside as Ultimate Factories – regularly gains access to these plants, and the next episode is heading to Gaydon in Warwickshire, England, to take us behind the scenes of the dedicated facility where makes its top of the line model: the One-77.
There, they’ll uncover the thousand-square-meter open-plan factory, the 27 technicians who work there and the 77 vehicles they’re toiling to produce. It promises to be a fascinating watch, to say the least, when it airs this weekend to kick off the new series in the UK, but you can catch a little preview with the video , where you’ll also find the press release – and don’t forget the fresh crop of high-resolution images in the gallery.
One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo’s Megafactories
Martin One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo’s Megafactories
Now that the ink has dried on the coupe and convertible, it’s time to focus on the rest of the Big Six range. is hard at work on a four-door version of the 6 Series, but the car we’re waiting for is this, the next-generation .
Like the previous M6, the new model should be available in both hardtop and droptop body styles, and the powertrain will likely be ripped right from the recently unveiled sedan. With 560 horsepower on tap from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, the M6 will surely be no slouch, sending all of that power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. (Who knows, maybe BMW will offer a proper manual gearbox here, too.)
Scroll through our high-res image gallery above to see the M6 prototype out on the road.
has given the a quick nip/tuck. The sedan now comes equipped with a revised front fascia with a new grille design, as well as a set of new rear combination lights. Buyers can also choose between fresh 18- and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheel designs, as well as two new exterior colors. Indoors, the cabin has been equipped with white-illuminated gauges for the first time, as well as a range of new colors and trim treatments as well. Even so, Nissan has held the line on pricing on the vehicle for next year. The base Maxima 3.5 S CVT will still carry an MSRP of $31,750, excluding destination charges.
Next year will also see the introduction of a new limited edition package for the Maxima 3.5 S. The $710 package throws in smoked headlights with HID bulbs, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a rear spoiler as well as a smattering of satin chrome outside. to check the full press release.
The IZOD IndyCar series has released a computer-generated simulation of a quick lap around the Baltimore Grand Prix circuit. With a long back straight, drivers should be able to ratchet their machines up to a blistering 180 miles per hour before shedding all that speed for an abrupt right. With zero banking and all of the unpleasantries that come along with racing across uneven, bumpy public streets, the course should offer plenty of challenges for teams and their drivers. Turn three offers a 180-degree hairpin and what could be the best place to pass on the track. Drivers who brake late and carry speed through the turn will stand a chance at picking up position.
Turns five, six and seven occur in quick succession as the course darts back and forth through Baltimore, upping the likelihood that at least one racer will collect some concrete on the way into the more technical section from a 120 mph straight. The whole course promises to offer plenty of action once the checkered flag drops this weekend on Sunday, September 4. to check out the video.
When you’re the reigning F1 world champion – and well on your way to a repeat performance – you should be able to get your hands on any car you want. And in Sebastian Vettel’s case, that’s the .
In fact, the young German already owns one and drives it back home in Germany in between grands prix and promotional events. But he’s about to get a version catered more to his tastes. And considering his proven taste for speed, that’s bound to translate to some big performance figures.
Of course, Infiniti isn’t telling us much in the way of details, preferring instead to tease us incrementally with a , a and now four more as the vehicle’s unveiling in approaches. What it is telling us is that the FX Sebastian Vettel edition is based on the top-spec FX50S Premium and features modifications to the engine, suspension and body, and should be capable of speeds in excess of 300 km/h (186 mph).
We’ll evidently have to wait a little longer for further details, but for now you can check out the images in the gallery and the press release for a closer look.
Car and Driver is reporting that the new rear-wheel-drive sports sedan concept from may be called the Veredus. The vehicle is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, though the company has been mum on the project’s name so far. Kia filed for a patent on the Veredus name not too long ago, and, as Car and Driver points out, the concept is the only vehicle in the company’s short-term product plan without a name. Sounds like a pretty strong case to us. While the report reminds us that there are plenty of other future nameless Kia models, everything else in the near term has a moniker.
One of those future models just so happens to be a rear-wheel drive sedan (heretofore known as the K9) based on the platform, and there’s also word that the Hyundai Cadenza may show up soon as the Kia Cadenza. Either of those vehicles could snap up the Veredus name instead of the concept, however.
The event is called , but this year that dust was replaced with rain and mud. Still, the attendees of this automotive festival in Teterow, Germany arrived in large numbers to share their passion for rockabilly, rat rods and racing. The rain attempted to dampen spirits, but it was powerless against these German fans of American old school.
The language is different, but the cars and music are the same. So is the enthusiasm for the style, and it comes through in the following video, which has subtitles but almost doesn’t even need them.
OK, that’s not true… we need the subtitles. Still, the video shows a group of car enthusiasts gathering to hang out and enjoy their shared love, regardless of the weather. At first it seems odd, due to the language being spoken (and occasional and logo), but it quickly becomes mesmerizing. to see for yourself.
Toys are infinitely cooler these days than they were when we were kids. While we had to subside on crappy Lego houses and weak Nerf guns, youngsters now get to craft accurate models of the Millennium Falcon and play with a foam arsenal that would make the CIA blush with envy.
The same goes for remote-controlled vehicles. We’ve already seen exactly how much fun can be had with a point-of-view camera, an and a little time. Now another crafty RC aficionado has applied the same camera tech to a remote-controlled F16 fighter jet.
There aren’t words to describe how awesome this is.
By using a live feed from the camera, the pilot effectively gets the same view out of the cockpit that an actual pilot would enjoy. The creator even wired up an altimeter so the pilot can tell exactly how far off the ground the plane is at any given moment. to check it out. Bonus points for the Kenny Loggins soundtrack.
The is a sultry beast, but no one is going around calling the low-slung sports car in icon of the industry. That tag is still reserved for the similarly slinky E-Type. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the vehicle, and over the past half-century, its long nose and rounded hips have grown to become unmistakable. Could release a direct successor to its legendary racer? One Turkish designer certainly thinks so. Using the dimensions of the as a guidepost, Emre Husmen set about imagining what a modern E-Type would look like.
The result is a vehicle with the same basic proportions as the original, though with a thoroughly modern twist. Look closely and it’s easy to see the lines of the original E-Type snugged amongst the more modern body. Though we’re fans of the design’s profile and rear, there’s something about the nose that simply lacks the simplicity of the original. Hey, everyone’s a critic. Thanks for the tip, Emre!
Never underestimate what you’ll see on eBay Motors. Take this unique creation, for example. Near as we can tell, it’s the same 2002 Mercury Marauder that was modified into a two-door convertible by for the 2002 Chicago Auto Show. According to the seller, this car still boasts its Eaton supercharger bolted to a 4.6-liter V8 engine, and at the time of its debut, the engine was rated at a lofty 335 horsepower. We have a hard time believing that the extra ponies would do much to offset the weight of the additional frame stiffeners and top mechanism on the car, however.
The vehicle is currently offered for sale by a dealer in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, though the listing is mum on how the convertible managed to make its way from Ford’s Windy City show stand into the seller’s inventory. If you like what you see, the machine can be yours for the princely sum of $75,000 or best offer. Head over to to take a gander at the listing.
Though you might not know it today, there was a time when Alfa Romeo challenged on the race track. In fact Alfa was taking trophies and titles long before the horse ever pranced – that’s where Enzo got his start, after all. But these days, now that they’re sister companies, Ferrari makes the supercars and races for top honors while Alfa Romeo makes hatchbacks. If that just don’t seem right to you, there are some engineers at Novitec who apparently feel the same way. And they’ve done something about it.
The German tuning house may be best known for tuning Ferraris, but it’s also got a wealth of experience with Alfas, and have this time turned their attention to the Giulietta – the five-door hatch that’s priced like a but feels more like an .
Starting in the engine bay, Novitec has tweaked with the full range of gasoline and diesel engines available in the Giulietta to squeeze out an extra 15-30 horsepower, depending on the model. The top-spec turbo engine, for example, gets an extra 26 hp over stock for a full 261 hp – good enough, Novitec says, for a 6.5-second sprint to 62 miles per hour. Which may not be in the same league as a Ferrari, but then it won’t cost you nearly as much to buy and own, either.
The package also encompasses stainless steel mufflers, a range of alloys from 18 to 20 inches, adjustable coil-over suspension and a comprehensive body kit. You can scope out the full details in the press release , or better yet, take a walk through the high-resolution image gallery.
The thing about retro styling is that, since it’s anchored not in the contemporary but in the classical, it doesn’t age. So you may be as surprised as we were to discover that the Wiesmann Roadster has been on the market for 18 years now.
The first version of the retro German sportscar was the MF3, the six-cylinder model that is now being discontinued in favor of bigger engines after nearly two decades of service. But before bidding goodbye to the car that put it on the map, Wiesmann has teamed up with luxury brand Sieger to send it off with a special run of eighteen unique models.
Each of the blogger’s dozen (yeah, we just made up that term) gets a completely unique color scheme both inside and out, and only one of each will be made, bearing names like Panther, Rocket and Chocolat.
One will be displayed at the rapidly approaching show, and we’ll have more for you then, but in the meantime you can delve into the for more details and check out the full spectrum by clicking the quartet above.
Russian automaker Yo-Auto is , which are slated to arrive in 2012. The triumvirate consists of a coupe, hatchback and truck, and they are all referred to as Yo-Mobiles. It seems the automaker has other vehicles in mind as well, because a rather unique concept car has been mocked up that will make its debut at the .
The Yo-Concept is not destined for production. Let’s get that right out of the way. Yo-Auto executives, however, want the styling of the concept vehicle to serve as a design leader for future vehicles down the road.
The most unique feature of the Yo-Concept has to be the operation of the doors. They don’t open outward, like traditional automotive ports of entry, but instead slide up and to the rear of the vehicle. The resulting entryway is quite large, and you can see it for yourself in the gallery renderings or the video, which is posted .
had to implement a few tweaks to its navigation system before introducing it to Europe. Automotive News reports that the company’s engineers have programmed the software to understand 10,000 commands in 19 languages, but SYNC also had to be calibrated to work at higher speeds. Developers discovered that the navigation couldn’t warn drivers about which exit to take while cruising along with traffic on the autobahn. As a result, the system had to be reworked to tell pilots about their upcoming exit a little farther in advance.
Ford claims that 2 million vehicles in Europe will have SYNC on board by 2015. That seems plenty feasible given the fact that 3 million cars, trucks and SUVs have been sold with SYNC in the U.S. since 2007. Ford is set to introduce SYNC at the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin later this week, and European buyers will be able to option their purchases with the system starting next year.
Yesterday, released the first image and details (however few) of the new concept it’s bringing to Frankfurt, and it carries with it the promise of the next-generation Defender – an off-roader so accomplished and so ubiquitous that calling it the Sir Edmund Hillary (or Tenzing Norgay) of automobiles wouldn’t even be doing it justice.
Now, LR has dropped a second shot of the DC100, showing us the front end and what she’ll look like traversing the old rocky road. But that’s not all we’ve got to go with. Because nature abhors a vacuum, more speculative renderings were bound to pop up, and our friends over at Kilometer magazine have stepped up to fill the void.
The Defender, you see, has long come in different bodystyles, of which the three-door hardtop form taken up by the DC100 is only one. So the KM guys have stretched out the wheelbase, added a couple of doors, even chopped the roof short to leave an open short-bed. to check it out, and scope out the second image in the gallery for more.
There’s some good news and some not-so-good news when dissecting sales figures for August of 2011. For one, posted notable gains for all of its brands, especially , which managed to score an impressive 58-percent sales rise over the same period a year ago.
