The Roding Roadster 23 is here, and having been , it looks like it’s come good. We knew it would have proper fenders from the latest drawings, but the red-and-black livery makes the little roofless coupe pop.
Roding still hasn’t decided to spill all of its secrets, not that it looks to have many, but we know there’ll be just 23 examples offered. Behind those huggy seats is a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine from producing 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet, charged with propelling a car that weighs just 950 kilograms (2,090 pounds). An installable hood goes in the trunk section up front.
In the information from the company’s site , however, Roding indicates that “the first cars to be produced” are a limited edition of 23, which makes it sound like they’ll be around for more than a couple dozen cars.
When American automakers release Carbon editions of their sports cars, buyers are treated to a few carbon fiber veneers, some fancy wheels and a few badges. When Pagani builds a Huayra Carbon Edition, the Italian manufacturer simply constructs every last piece of body work out of the composite and slathers everything in clear coat.
Pagani unveiled its latest sculpture at the Geneva Motor Show this week, and the vehicle is very possibly the definition of sinister sexy. Buyers can look forward to enjoying the same lethal drivetrain found in the “base” Huayra, which means there’s a 700-horsepower AMG-sourced 6.0-liter V12 behind the seats.
While the standard Huayra boasts a carbon-titanium monocoque, the wild carbon fiber body work on the Carbon Edition is something new entirely. We dig it in every way possible.
has obtained a letter from Russel Clark, Director of Marketing for small cars, small utilities and performance cars, to dealers informing them that shipments of all produced to date are being held by General Motors for a “quality assessment.”
There is no explanation as to what’s causing the hold or its duration, though the letter does say it “may last a few more weeks.” has Chevrolet spokesman Monte Doran on record saying, “We may have found a potential issue that we want to resolve.” If you think you know what the issue is, let us know in the comments or send us a tip.
Being one of the Bowtie brand’s halo cars, the Camaro ZL1 can hardly afford a hiccup in its roll out. Though with a 580-horsepower6.2-liter V8 underhood and sub-$55k starting price, we’re certain that a few weeks wait won’t change the number of people in line to buy one.
How many times have you said to yourself, “Self, I’ve modded every single part of my car, but those tires, they’re just so… black. And boring.” Bridgestone has the answer in the form of its Tire Printing Technology.
Comprised of two layers of ink – one below and one above a protective coating – you can fully customize the design of your sidewalls using any kind of vector-based graphics. Bridgestone claims the outer most layer won’t succumb to scrapes and scratches, and neither the durability or the weight of the tires are compromised by the technology.
Bridgestone hasn’t set a date for production, but the tires could be available as early as this summer. And if it hits in time, there’s little doubt we’ll be seeing plenty of horrid designs lining the halls of .
If there are words for the Gemballa Tornado and the vehicle’s spiritual twin, the Mistrale, we can’t find them.
If you like air vents, the Tornado has you covered. The vehicle boasts more intakes than your favorite industrial air conditioner, with the majority of them crafted from carbon fiber. At least the bodywork is lightweight. The abomination creation, based loosely on what was once a , puts a lofty 721 horsepower to the ground and relies on a set of aggressive Brembo brakes to bring the party to a stop.
And what of the Mistrale? As much as we love the , the car certainly didn’t need another go-around with the ugly stick. Like the Tornado, the Mistrale boasts a slew of carbon fiber work, epic 22-inch forged alloy wheels and and a completely reworked interior. Buyers can expect to find the same 721 horsepower under the hood, too. And here you thought SEMA was the only place to this level of insanity.
It’s been said before, but doesn’t seem to know how to make a bad-looking car these days. Take the current , for example. It’s been around since 2006 and has largely gone unchanged aside from a slight nip/tuck for the 2012 model year, but it’s arguably one of the most beautiful coupes in the luxury GT segment.
To further enhance the XK’s good looks, Jaguar has launched the new that makes its debut at the . Available in both naturally aspirated and trims (in both coupe and convertible body styles, no less), the Artisan package incorporates some special paint colors including the Celestial Black you see here, as well as unique 20-inch wheels. Inside, there are new performance seats with “scraffito” leather, not to mention a host of interior upgrades like a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins stereo, stainless steel pedals and new veneer trim pieces.
It’s sexy and sophisticated, and sadly, it’s only available in the UK (for now, at least). See it for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery.
It isn’t only the that’s celebrating its 60-year milestone, the coupe – now called the – has been around (sort of) since the 1952 300S. Its birthday cake comes in the form of the , a hand-finished version of the already monumental CL550 or CL600 that adds exclusive paints and leathers, the AMG Sports Package and 20-inch wheels.
The Grand Edition options start at €4,850 (about $6,368 based on current exchange rates), and adding that to the €119,773.50 (about $157,300) price of the CL is probably what you call a bargain. In certain circles, at least.
In the fine tradition of the Celebrity Wagon, the Bow Tie brand brings you this: The .
We kid, but in all honesty, the Wagon isn’t just a more utilitarian take on one of our favorite C-segmenters – it’s an attractive one to boot.
And speaking of boots, the Cruze wagon uses its extra inches to good effect, expanding the cargo capacity of the standard sedan and hatchback models to 17.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and blowing out to 52.9 inches with the rear thrones folded flat.
Chevrolet MyLink comes along for the ride, and in Europe, buyers get a choice of three gasoline engines and two diesels. But here in the U.S. we get nothing. Chevy has no plans to bring the Cruze Wagon to the States.
The relentless expansion of M-engineered and branded wares doesn’t just stop at the and the . Here in , announced the latest line of M performance parts that spans the spectrum from appearance bits to powertrain upgrades.
M Performance exhausts will be available for the new (in Europe), along with the and . Carbon fiber front splitters join black kidney grilles in the catalog, as does a new version of the M Performance steering wheel. BMW also claims to have some suspension components are in the works, and all this kit will be on sale and ready for installation at BMW dealers in the United States this summer.
Do you love the notion of the 507-horsepower, twin-tubocharged , but just can’t get behind a high-performance family wagon? Alpina has good news for you. The company has officially pulled back the curtain on the new B5 Sedan, and the vehicle boasts the same wicked driveline as its long-roof twin. That means there’s a dizzying 516 pound-feet of torque pouring out of the same forced-induction 4.4-liter V8. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission takes care of gear-swapping duties while a range of subtle aesthetic tweaks set this bruiser apart from its more mundane counterparts.
There is no mistaking the flashy, 20-inch Alpina wheels, however. According to the company, the combined kit allows the B5 Sedan to clip off a 0-62 dash in just 4.5 seconds. That’s plenty quick by our estimation and about on par with the new . Which would you rather have? for the brief press release while you mull it over.
What’s the next going to look like? The Megapixel concept is a good indication of where the Indian brand’s ultra cheap micro-car could be headed in the next few years, and if the onboard tech makes it to production, the Megapixel could be one of the most compelling – and most affordable – city cars in the world.
Measuring in at a scant 138 inches, the Megapixel combines a small footprint with four electrically powered and individually articulating wheels that help it achieve an impressive nine-foot turning radius.
Power is provided by the aforementioned wheel-mounted electric motors which can deliver a maximum of 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 13kW lithium-ion battery pack providing the juice. A 325cc single-cylinder gasoline engine will refill the batteries for trips longer than 54 miles, giving the Megapixel a theoretical range of over 560 miles. A production model is still a ways out, but with Tata’s continued expansion and ambition, we wouldn’t be surprised to see something like the Megapixel on sale in India and other developing markets by the end of the decade.
One way to ensure that your brand-new (a.k.a. 991) won’t look like the one in your neighbor’s driveway is to give TechArt a call. The famed German tuner has rolled out at the and trust us, it won’t be mistaken for anything from the factory in Stuttgart.
Up front, TechArt has fitted its own unique two-part spoiler with integrated splitter while more aggressive side skirts adorn the rocker panels. The rear has a new lower diffuser, wrapped around the TechArt exhaust, and a large fixed rear wing (complete with an integrated third brake light). Look more closely to notice the subtle trim panels on the exterior mirrors and front headlights. The wheels are lightweight forged 20- and 21-inch alloys with matching paint on their rims.
Inside the heavily modified cabin are even more drastic enhancements (let’s say TechArt has gone over the top). Don’t let the aluminum pedals be a distraction as you inspect the black Alcantara and high-grade leather covering nearly every square inch. Flirting with gaudy, the dark upholstery is contrasted by vehicle-color-coordinated stitching and painted trim splashed throughout. However, the icing on the cake is an insanely thick TechArt three-spoke sports steering wheel.
We donned our darkest shades and shot a full on the Geneva floor. Plus, you can also check out the detailed press release and a handful of official pictures below.
We know we’re beating a dead horse by complaining about an automaker not offering its European products in the United States, but seriously, wouldn’t this handsome new be an excellent replacement for the milquetoast ?
has been doing some great things with design lately, and the full host of new styling elements has made its way down to the new C-segment offering. We like the large headlamps that stretch far up the hood line, accented with LED running lamps and pronounced fog lamps below. The unique, 18-inch wheels look cool and give the Cee’d a sporty touch, and the whole design is rounded off in back with a squared-off rump. Speaking of the rear, Kia also saw it fit to debut a new Cee’d wagon, called the SW, offering a substantial cargo area for those who need more functionality than a standard hatch can offer.
Five powertrains will be offered at launch – two diesel and three petrol – ranging from 89 to 133 horsepower. Six-speed manual transmissions are available across the board, with six-speed automatics available on two of the 1.6-liter engines. The range-topping 133-hp gasoline engine also features Kia’s first dual-clutch ‘box.
Honestly, we’re big fans of this new compact Kia, and our hope is that the Korean automaker will someday plant its Cee’d on North American soil. See the new hatchback and wagon for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery and for the full press release.
You know things aren’t going to well for Artega when one of the bullet points in its press release is “a completely redesigned infotainment system – and smaller mirrors.” But the ambitious niche automaker is still plugging along, preparing to expand its dealer network beyond Europe and into Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China later this year.
In addition to the new infotainment systems and mirrors, Artega is adding another model to its GT range, this time with a glass panoramic roof – the closest thing Artega will get to a convertible.
Power is still provided by a VW-sourced 3.6-liter V6 mounted amidships and sending power to a six-speed DSG. The all-electric Artega SE is still under development with no firm on-sale date, but reps we spoke to at the show continue to claim there’s plenty of consumer interest, even if Artega has only offloaded a few hundred GTs in the past several years.
If SsangYong is known for anything, it’s trucks. The aspirational Korean marque brought out a handful of new pickups and SUVs here in , but the real showstopper on the SsangYong stand – if there is such a thing – is the XIV-2 concept.
The concept’s name is more contrived than its styling (it stands for eXciting user-Interface Vehicle 2), but its blend of high-riding coupe style with a more traditional CUV body is intriguingly attractive in person and proves that there’s at least one other automaker hailing from Korea that can do something interesting in a rather staid segment.
SsangYong claims motivation is provided by a 1.6-liter diesel four mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and Yoo-il Lee, the automaker’s CEO, is adamant that a production version – available in coupe, three-door and five-door styles – will come to market in Europe within the next year. for the full details.
Sending a message that reinforces Ferrari’s commitment that all of its vehicles will kick serious butt, the Italian automaker has treated its under-appreciated model to an exceptional .
Up front, the hardtop convertible’s naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V8 has been bumped up to 490 horsepower, thanks to a tweaked ECU and a new exhaust manifold. The new power goes hand-in-hand with an updated aluminum-intensive chassis which is nearly 70 pounds lighter than last year’s model thanks to “cutting-edge aluminium fabrication techniques and construction technologies.” According to the automaker, the 0-60 sprint has dropped to just 3.8 seconds.
Other enhancements include a new optional Handling Speciale package with lightning-fast Magnetorheological dampers, stiffer springs and a quicker steering ratio. Lastly, Ferrari is offering owners a more extensive choice of colors, including two-tone finishes like the one seen here, to increase exclusive personalization (yeah, because that’s why we were all holding off on our purchases!). Be sure to check out our live gallery from the floor, a detailed press release and a couple official images from the automaker below.
If isn’t willing to give us an authentic M-ified , we’ll have to settle for the next best thing, and that’s the , the latest performance package from the marque’s motorsport division.
Based off the three-door F20 variant of the Euro-only 1 Series, the M135i isn’t quite the 1er/ lovechild of the dearly beloved , but it’s still packing BMW’s tried-and-true-and-tunable turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, putting out more than 300 horsepower presumably through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Beefed-up brakes, tweaked suspension bits and 18-inch M-branded wheels are fitted at each corner, while restyled front and rear fascias round out the rest of the exterior mods.
We’ve heard through the grapevine that the , both in rear-wheel-drive and xDrive trim for Europe (except the UK), but considering the F20 still hasn’t come Stateside, don’t expect the M135i to make the trek… yet.
Between the , van concept and the new Kuga (that’s to us Yanks), Ford had plenty to showcase this year at the . But one of the most pivotal – for its European operations, anyway – is the .
A mini-minivan based on the platform, the B-Max takes an innovative form. At least, its doors do. Because as Ford has highlighted () recently, the automaker has managed to eliminate the entire B-pillar, integrating it into the door itself to form an extra wide opening on both sides of the extra-small people-mover.
It strikes us as a useful feature, and while the B-Max itself will not be making the transatlantic voyage back with us from Europe to North America, we’re hoping that the door system will, in some shape or form, anyway. In the meantime, you can admire from afar in the gallery of high-res live shots from the Palexpo show floor and delve into the press release for all the details.
The may have debuted (time flies, huh?), but we’re just now seeing it in person for the first time here at the . The prolonged debut almost makes sense for BMW’s big coupe, since it’s a late entry in a segment that already includes stunners like the , , and even the (if you’re really reaching).
But that doesn’t make the 6 Series Gran Coupe any less interesting – or stunning. We still don’t 100 percent love the 6er’s new front fascia, but there’s no question that the sloping roofline and squat hind quarters are anything less than sleek and shapely. Oh, and get a load of that interior. The two-tone leather surfaces and two-passenger rear compartment look absolutely stunning.
will launch the 640i Gran Coupe in the United States first, powered by the automaker’s widely popular N55 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, good for 315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The eight-cylinder 650i and xDrive models will follow suit in short order, as well.
Cost of entry: . Get your wallets ready, and see a full brace of live images direct from Geneva in our attached high-res gallery.
Try this one on for size: already dropped the full details on both the new coupe and convertible, but only the hardtop makes its debut here at the . We’ll have to wait until the expo in April to see the convertible, though oddly, the droptop M6 is the one that will go on sale in the United States first. Alright then.
Regardless of what car launches when, the M6 will no doubt pack a potent punch when it finally hits the street. Powered by BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the big coupe (and convertible) will have a whopping 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque on tap, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via the M division’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That means the M6 Coupe will run to 62 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds with the convertible only lagging behind by a tenth of a second. And while the will be offered in the U.S. with a proper six-speed manual transmission, there’s no word on a row-your-own gearbox for the M6, though our sources have said that it’s under consideration (of course).
There’s no mention of curb weight for either car, but rest assured, the new M6 has surely shed some pounds versus the less-powerful (and decidedly uglier) E63 model. M-specific 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires come as standard rolling stock, but to better fill out those big wheel wells (and offer better grip on the road), a set of lightweight 20s will be available as an option.
So, it’ll be another month before we see the droptop M6, even though it’ll officially go on sale this summer as a 2012 model. As for the coupe, we won’t see that until later in 2012 badged as a 2013 model. Click through our live gallery to see the new M hotness live from Geneva, and for all of the nitty-gritty details in BMW’s press blast.
