Wald International Bentley Continental Flying Spur Black Bison – Click above for high-res image gallery
With the on its way, you can bet it’s just a matter of time before the rest of the Continental family – convertible and Flying Spur sedan – join the coupe under the knife. But if you can’t wait for the new Spur – or fear your existing one will soon look out-of-date – Wald International has announced a series of aftermarket upgrades to the big sedan that ought to set yours apart.
The package is primarily visual, adopting a fresh aero kit comprised of a new front bumper (incorporating bigger vents and LED running lights), side skirts, a rear bumper with faux-diffuser, and itty-bitty little spoilers on the trunk lid and side windows. A quad-pipe exhaust system is also on offer, along with extra carbon fiber trim and spoke-tastic new wheels.
Check it out in the gallery below, and keep your eyes peeled on this space for the next-generation Spur to come Flying along any month now. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
Audi A1e-tron – Click above for high-res image gallery
has chosen Munich as its launch pad for the company’s new electric vehicle effort. The German manufacturer is planning to roll out 20 of its A1 hatchbacks as part of a research project with the Technical University of Munich. The cars will be powered by an electric motor with the equivalent of around 102 horsepower, which should give the vehicles a top speed of 81 mph. In city driving, a lithium-ion battery pack can keep the electrified A1 going for a total of 31 miles, though past that there’s a small Wankel rotary engine on board to recharge the battery packs and keep things moving.
With the help of the small gasoline engine, the A1 e-tron can cover an additional 124 miles for a combined range of 155 miles depending on driving habits. Audi says this set up provides the equivalent of 148.7 mpg, though we’re not sure if that imperial or U.S. gallons. Either way, that’s a sizable fuel economy number.
A total of 200 electric charging stations have been set up throughout Munich as a part of the program, which is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport. for the full press release.
Ken Block Gymkhana Three Part 2 – Click above to view the video
left most of us cold, but the second installment of Ken Block’s Gymkhana series is finally upon us, and consider the series officially redeemed. If you haven’t yet… SPOILER ALERT: 360 alley-oop at the top of France’s l’Autodrome de Linas’ 51-degree bank. In a . Now…
Kia Soul Tiger Edition? We think not – Click above for high-res image gallery
User AiboPet over at the forum happened upon one very interesting Sport while cruising the fleet lot recently. The boxy hatch was caught wearing some unique vinyl graphics, complete with tiger stripes down both sides and large paw print on its hind-end. While the forum immediately caught fire with the notion that Kia is planning yet another special-edition version of its youth-oriented crossover, the truth may be a little tamer.
Kia tells Autoblog that it has no plans to roll out a new Tiger Edition Soul, nor will any other big-cat themed models be available from dealers anytime soon. Sorry, feline fans.
Of course, that doesn’t exactly answer what’s up with this particular graphics package. Kia says that when the company’s designers are done with special show-circuit jobs, it just parks them outside with the rest of its testers. This could be a stillborn special edition or a SEMA package that never made it to the show floor. Your guess is as good as ours. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
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It’s Episode #195 of the Autoblog Podcast, and Chris, Alex, Sam and Dan talk about the half century of Ford Econolines, Porsche’s impressive Panamera sales, the death of the Mahindra deal with Global Vehicles USA, a possible hot-rod Forester, and Travis Pastrana’s obliteration of editor Neff’s Mount Washington hillclimb time (oh, and he destroyed the record by 20 seconds, too.) Two questions cap it at just over an hour this week. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #195 – Econoline, Panamera, hot-rod Foresters, Pik-Ups and Mount Washington
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Toyota Avensis Next Generation Touring Car – Click above for high-res sketches
You’ve seen NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow – now meet its British counterpart. Based on the , this Next Generation Touring Car is the first of a new breed of cars set to take over the British Touring Car Championship starting next season.
Although isn’t competing in the series with a works team, it has supplied the donor car and body shell to GPR Motorsport to use as the basis for its new touring car, built to revised BTCC regulations. The Avensis is, after all, a British-built car – one that enjoys broad sales success in the UK and across Europe.
The Avensis NGTC will make its debut at the last round of this season’s championship on October 9 at Brands Hatch, where two-time BTCC champion James Thompson will take the wheel. In the meantime, click below to view the first sketches of how the new contender will look, or follow the jump for the full press release.
Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari presented to Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa – Click above for high-res image gallery
Good work deserves a good reward. And could hardly have asked their drivers (SPOILER!) to perform better than they did at their home race at Monza, turning a 1-3 qualifying into a 1-3 finish. Their reward? A new for each.
Now the hot hatch may pale in comparison to some of the machinery the pair have been awarded in the past, like the or . But with a , the 695 is could be considered a junior Ferrari as it is a top-of-the-line Fiat. Whichever way you look at it, we certainly wouldn’t be turning it down.
The full press release can be found after the jump, with high-resolution images in the updated gallery below.
We know that is planning on rolling out both a and version of its popular C-Class sedan, and now we also have an idea of what the interior is going to look like. We’re still quite curious to see the upcoming luxury coupe parked next to its brethren. The and it will be interesting to see how the two vehicles stack up in the size department.
We have some burning questions to ask the automaker and we hope to have answers courtesy of the upcoming Paris Motor Show. What are the price points for the 2011 C-Class coupe, cabrio, and redesigned sedan? Will the two-door C-Class ride on the same platform as the sedan? Most importantly, when can we get the keys to ?
Hyundai ix20 – Click above for high-res image gallery
’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language may be doing wonders on North American-spec and , but this same design language will make its way across the automaker’s entire worldwide lineup over the next few years. We’ve seen it previewed in the next-generation and , and now Hyundai has released some preview images of its new ix20 small MPV, set to debut at this year’s . At first glance, it looks like a teeny-tiny ground-bound Tucson. It’s cute, if a bit angry-looking.
We’ll have to wait until the Paris show opens up before we get the full details on the ix20. For now, Hyundai is only saying that its new MPV will offer class-leading fuel economy, low C02 emissions and the latest in active and passive safety technologies. Follow the jump for the full details in the press release.
2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake – Click above for high-res image gallery
When we tested the 750 horsepower , our man Jonathon Ramsey declared it the “new king” of Mustangs. Surprisingly, he found that the suspension was able to – barely – keep up with the engine, but we figured that the Super Snake had just about all the power a street-driven Mustang could handle. We thought wrong, at least according to Shelby.
Ol’ Carroll has upped the ante in the horsepower wars once again by offering up to 800 horsepower in the newly-released 2011 version of the Super Snake. Of course, there are more sane options including 660 horsepower and 750 horsepower variants, but the 800 horsepower version will undoubtedly be the must-have for the guy (or girl) who needs the biggest and baddest ‘Stang on the block. Also new for 2011 are the optional anthracite wheels, white stripes and new side scoops. The Super Snake package starts at $30,245 (just $250 less than the cost of a brand new 2011 Mustang GT) and can be built at Shelby’s Las Vegas facility or at any of their official Mod Shops around the country. Hit the jump for complete specs for the 2011 Super Snake package and more details.
2011 Chrysler Town & Country – Click above for high-res image gallery
is continuing to hone the minivan that started it all – the Town & Country (okay, so it was the Plymouth Voyager and the Caravan, sue us). For 2011, buyers can look to find a slew of safety and technology treats on board, both in standard and optional trims. Every 2011 Town & Country will ship with tricks like blind spot and rear cross-path detection as part of what the company says is a 40-strong list of features designed to keep families as safe as can be. In a segment that’s primary focus is shepherding herds of young ones around town, we’re guessing that’s going to be a strong selling point.
Of course, as important as safety is, it’s also pretty boring. Fortunately, Chrysler has loaded up the new Town & Country with enough entertainment goodies to keep even the most spastic of rug rats sufficiently sedated. Buyers can opt for a dual-DVD system that can play separate media at the same time, SIRIUS backseat TV with plenty of children’s programming or FLO TV with 20 channels of programming. There’s also a raft of new instrument panel changes and softer touchpoints, along with a refined Stow ‘n Go seating system. Road trips will never be the same.
For you lead-footed moms and dads late to soccer practice, under the hood, Chrysler has packed the company’s new 283-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which helps the six-pot net 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
for the press release and check out the gallery of exterior and interior changes below.
Audi TT RS – Click above for high-res image gallery
has just announced that it will begin importing the hottest version of its little sports car, the TT-RS, in the third quarter of next year.
The product move comes after Audi whipped up a that gathered in excess of 11,500 signatures in just a month’s time.
The move to import the 360-horsepowerPorsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG-fighter isn’t much of a surprise – after all, Audi has been for months, and an Audi executive at last week’s launch of the in Sardinia in a few days.
No word yet on what pricing or the options list will look like, but only the hard-hatted coupe will make it to these shores – the Roadster will remain forbidden fruit.
2011 Lamborghini Jota teaser – Click above for high-res image gallery
Another day, another look at the upcoming Lamborghini Jota. According to the press blast, the newest member of the Raging Bull family will be the beginning of something new for the company. Instead of trying to cram as much speed as possible into the chassis, the engineers at Sant’Agata are looking to put top speed on the back burner in favor of vehicle design, acceleration and, get this, handling. How do they plan to do that? By ditching a significant amount of weight. The company says that on average, its products now weigh 1,100 pounds more than they did 25 years ago thanks to additional safety equipment and creature comforts.
In order to help balance the scales, the company plans to get serious about extensively using carbon fiber to slim the waist line of all of its future products. We certainly like the sound of that.
Of course, increasing acceleration and handling by decreasing weight has never been the kind of thing to hurt our feelings, either. to read Lambo’s sports car manifesto for yourself.
2012 Audi A7 Sportback – Click above for high-res image gallery
We don’t normally think of Germans as being shrinking violets, but apparently the country’s national pride has been enduring a long winter of sorts – a decades-old funk from which it’s only now beginning to emerge. , which notes that the nation’s resurgent patriotism is taking many forms, from an increasing amount of German-language music on the radio to more flag-waving pride and a stable economy that remains the envy of Europe in dark times.
Certainly, the same could be argued for Deutschland’s auto industry. Having weathered the threat of upstart luxury foes from Japan over the last 20 years, Germany’s premium brands have fought through their own crises to emerge stronger and with more than a bit of swagger in their step. You’ll remember that, for some time now, German marques have been trying to unceasingly convince us of their technical brilliance through things like all-in-one dashboard controllers, willfully disagreeable styling and the steadfast adherence to stone walled run-flat tires. But a decade or so in to these initiatives, it’s finally all starting to pan out. iDrive, COMAND and MMI aren’t the counterintuitive scourges they once were. Edges have been chamfered off controversial styling languages. Run-flat tires have improved. And lo and behold, is once again threatening for the U.S. luxury sales crown, has its quality control woes in hand, and … well, Audi’s rocket-like trajectory is the envy of the industry, isn’t it?
After enduring a near-death experience at the hands of 60 Minutes during the ‘Unintended Acceleration’ fiasco of the Eighties, Ingolstadt has only truly caught fire in the last five years or so, but now it’s white-hot and giving its fellow countrymen at BMW and Benz fits. Its latest offering, the 2011 A7 Sportback, promises to turn up the heat on the budding luxury five-door segment, so we headed to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia to see if Audi might have a good reason to indulge in a bit of horn-tooting of its own. to find out.
2011 Jeep Patriot – Click above for high-res image gallery
has just revealed the first images and details of its , and the compact softroader has received very subtle nip/tuck for the new model year that touch nearly every aspect of the vehicle.
The alterations include a new front fascia with fog lamps integrated with the headlamps, color-keyed grille, a new front fascia that’s lower than before, new 17-inch alloys and a brace of new colors, among other differences.
Under the skin, the baby receives reworked steering and suspension tunings (though the company declines specifics) and 4×4 models benefit from additional inch of ride height to augment its off-road capabilities.
Like other recent Chrysler models, the Patriot’s interior has been a sticking point since the model was introduced for the 2007 model year, and the Auburn Hills automaker has devoted quite a bit of attention to upgrading the cabin in this revised model. Changes include new soft-touch door panels with backlighting for the door and window switches, a new armrest, a new wheel with redundant audio controls (along with Bluetooth and cruise), higher-quality cloth on the seats, and so on.
Analyze the changes for yourself by checking out our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.
These teaser images don’t reveal much, but what we see are some of the finer details of the sedan, set to replace the when it hits dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2010. is counting on the 200 to make up some of the market share that the Sebring failed to gain, and if new products like the are anything to base judgments on, we fully expect the 200 to be a giant step in the right direction.
Details are slim, but we do know that the 200 will be available with a choice of two powertrains. The standard engine is Chrysler’s 2.4-liter inline-four, mated to either a four- or six-speed automatic transmission, and the automaker’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will be available on higher-end trim levels. Rated at 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the Pentastar should provide more than enough grunt for Chrysler’s new mid-size luxury sedan, and a six-speed auto ‘box should make for relatively respectable fuel economy numbers, too.
We anticipate that Chrysler will release more images and details within the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the full raft of details. For now, to read Chrysler’s press release, and scroll through our gallery of teaser shots below.
2011 Fiat 500 Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
has officially pulled back the covers on the American version of the Fiat 500 Sport. The pint-sized hatchback will be dueling with the on our shores in short order, powered by none-other than the Fiat 1.4-liter turbocharged Multiair four-cylinder engine. The Pentastar hasn’t released power figures for the American version of the powerplant, nor do we know official fuel economy numbers. However, don’t expect output to vary too much from the 135 horsepower available from the 1.4-liter in its European guise.
Chrysler says the Fiat 500 will be available starting later this year. Buyers should be able to opt for one of three models initially – Sport, Pop or Lounge – though the company hasn’t mentioned what kind of differentiation we’ll see between the three. We do know that Sport trim will feature a nifty sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and painted brake calipers.
Starting next year, a convertible version of the adorable Italian will make its way to our shores as well. You can find the full press release .
2010 BMW 335i Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery
has always had a gem of an inline-six on its hands, regardless of which particular powerplant you’re referring to. But over the last couple of years, it’s the German automaker’s turbocharged 3.0-liter N54 engines that have been lighting enthusiasts hearts afire, and steering more than a few buyers away from the and into the seat of a . And when the N54 proliferated across the rest of the automaker’s lineup, it was well-received in nearly every application.
For 2011, though, there’s a new engine in town, and the big question is whether or not the single-turbo N55 is better than the or, at the very least, not worse. Helping shed some light on the matter is the crew from Automobile Magazine, who managed to snag a trio of various N54-powered 3-Series’ – one of which was the , which uses a high-output version of the old N54 – along with one new model powered by an N55.
And the results? Well, it’s pretty much more of the same: good peak horsepower (266 horses) and a nicely flat mid-heavy torque curve, cresting at a stout 302 pound-feet. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the new N55, while seemingly offering than its predecessor, appears to be a wee bit less powerful overall than the N54. Progress?
