Mitsubishi i-MiEV – Click above for high-res image gallery
When launched the production version of the electric car in Japan last year, it came in at a frighteningly high price – almost $50,000 before tax incentives. That’s a lot of coin for a small car with a limited range, but Mitsubishi has said repeatedly that it wants to bring the home-market price down to about $22,000 by 2012.
Before that happens, the i-MiEV is due to arrive in the U.S. market in 2011 and Nissan has already moved aggressively to price the at under $33,000. With that in mind, Mitsubishi is aiming for a sticker price of under $30,000 for its EV before the $7,500 federal tax credit. The real world range of the i-MiEV is likely to be as low as 50-60 miles, with no range extension capability. And for such a low range, the diminutive EV will need an appropriate price to get any traction in the market.
Exclusive image of the Motus MST-01 – Click above for high-res image gallery
America has quite a heritage of classic motorcycles. Interestingly enough, though, just about all of America’s great motorcycles share a remarkably similar ethos. From , undoubtedly the standard bearer of American motorcycledesign, to Indian and even to new players like Victory, bikes coming from The Land of the Free have historically been designed to cruise along in a straight line in style.
There have been exceptions to the rule – most notably being the recently deceased Buell – and another new motorcycle manufacturer is looking to add its name to America’s storied past on two wheels: . Motus is doing things drastically different from all other American motorcycle brands currently in existence by starting out with a completely new and innovative engine design… except that it’s not entirely new at all.
In fact, the powerplant currently going through the finishing stages of its development was designed by Katech and Pratt and Miller of Racing fame and would look much more familiar inside the engine bay of an American muscle car than a motorcycle. Intriguing, to say the least. As is the wrapper for this exciting powerplant, a sport tourer unlike anything else seen on American roads.
And there’s more. Lots more. to find out what else Motus has in store for its new engine and motorcycle platform and to see the KMV4 engine in action.
Maserati Quattroporte – Click above for high-res image gallery
has ambitious plans to break out of the fringe and into the mainstream. To do so, the Trident marque is going to need more than just the two models it currently holds in its stable. Fortunately, Maserati has plans in place to expand and they’re beginning to come into focus.
Following from back in April that the Modenese automaker was planning to slot a rival in below the current , and that the QP’s successor could go both all-wheel drive and more eco-friendly, come new reports on the smaller sedan’s progress.
Motor Trend projects that the baby QP will arrive around 2015 with a starting price around $68,000. A flexible new platform could underpin the next Quattroporte itself, as well as the successor to the current . Sources also forecast that the base version of the next-gen QP will also go slightly down-market, but that the space between the two sedans in the stable will remain sufficiently delineated.
SSC Ultimate Aero – Click above for high-res image gallery
Despite radically different approaches, Shelby SuperCars and have been playing a high-speed game of one-upmanship for years. First the took the prize with a 253.8 mph top speed run in 2005. SSC stepped in and bested that two years later with the Ultimate Aero TT. And just recently, Bugatti threw down the gauntlet once again with its 267.8-mph .
Don’t think for one minute though that the Veyron SS will go unchallenged for long. The two-three year spread between Bugatti/Shelby bouts may lead us to believe that the Veyron will hold the crown for at least the next few years, but according to reports, SSC isn’t prepared to wait that long.
Our compatriots over at Jalopnik quote sources that SSC has a new supercar in the works that could debut this summer. Congratulating their French rivals, the American firm will reportedly take on the Bugatti benchmark with a new package. Whether they can squeeze out an extra dozen miles remains to be seen, but we’ll enjoy watching them try.
In true new model roll-out fashion, the hype surrounding the hotter has been exceedingly well documented. We’ve , BMW has shown us and now the folks at have snapped some shots of the M-badged 1’s interior, showing a host of upgrades that stand true to the car’s beefed up dynamics.
Changes to the interior include items like more supportive sport seats, a smaller-diameter steering wheel (from the ) and two-tone instrument cluster gauges. What’s more, we can see the integration of BMW’s latest iDrive system in the 1 Coupe, but our favorite part is indeed the fact that a manual gearbox is in place. Dual-clutch setups are nice, but we love being able to shift for ourselves.
In addition to these spy shots, we’ve also come across the first of the 1 Series M Coupe, showing what sort of prowess this little hottie has out on the track. Stop teasing us, BMW – we’re ready to conduct our own evaluation. Looking for more shots of the interior? Visit our friends at 1addicts using the link below.
Say what you will about , its diversification into and at the cost of its racing program, and its plot to take over the world. Push come to shove, the German automaker isn’t the type to roll out a show car just to raise some eyebrows before relegating it to a museum somewhere – . So when Porsche , people took notice.
How many people, and to what extent, exactly? Bloomberg back in April – mere weeks after the car’s debut – that Porsche had already received expressions of interest from 900 well-heeled folks. Now Bloomberg is back on the record saying that, over the past few months, that number has ballooned to over 2,000.
Having built 1,500 examples of the Carrera GT, Porsche will reportedly put the 918 Spyder into production with 1,000 firm orders in place. So if half those interested parties put their money where their proverbial mouths are, production looks like a distinct possibility. And just as the 918 Spyder is tipped to eclipse the Carrera GT’s performance (to say nothing of its environmental credentials), so is the 918 expected to trounce its predecessor’s price: at half a million euros (approximately $630,000), the production 918 Spyder would be the most expensive vehicle ever offered by Zuffenhausen.
Conducting utterly inappropriate comparison tests is completely par for the course at Top Gear. After all, these were the guys that pitted a and a Jaguar XK120 against a Vincent Black Shadow and a train. In this week’s latest episode Richard Hammond samples the new with its lovely 6.2-liter small-block V8 and then pulls out a slightly different kind of 6.2-liter V8 powered car.
Frankly, we doubt many (if any!) people are actually cross-shopping the against the Camaro SS, but it sure is entertaining to watch the big German power-sliding around the air-strip test track at the hands of The Stig. With any luck, this episode will be the last time that we get to hear the Stig lapping to the less-than-dulcet tones of the vuvuzela. See how the Camaro fares against the E63 by watching the video .
We’ve watched with a sense of awe as has gone from a discount also-ran brand into a genuine industry powerhouse in startlingly short order. But we’ve also long suspected that its vehicles have gained so much ground by being among the best values in their respective segments – not because they’ve necessarily been the best vehicles to drive. The addition of the may have served notice that Hyundai isn’t content to just be the industry’s value leader (see ), but the keystone draw of most of the brand’s offerings has remained their affordability. Which is not to suggest this is a bad thing – Hyundai’s steroidal growth speaks to the inherent soundness of its strategy. But as enthusiasts, we’ve been waiting for the company to not only out-value, but to categorically outsmart and outplay its rivals. With introduction of the , Hyundai appears to have done exactly that.
The Sonata has proven to be far more than just a styling stunt.
We admit that we weren’t sure whether the Sonata’s outré styling would play in that most milquetoast of markets: the family sedan segment. When the sheet was pulled on the 2011 model, it was as if Hyundai had strolled into a Sunday morning prayer breakfast with Kathy Griffin on its arm – we didn’t know exactly what was going to come of it, but we knew it was going to be fun to watch. Thankfully, the Sonata has proven to be far more than just a styling stunt. Packing big space, a rock-solid chassis, accomplished handling and unmatched power and fuel economy from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Sonata has gained widespread acceptance and acclaim in a historically conservative slice of the market.
But while the normally aspirated sedan got our attention, the promised 2.0-liter turbocharged model had our enthusiast hearts bound up in anticipation. The at this spring’s New York Auto Show were enough to have visions of a proper cut-rate sport sedan dancing in our heads: 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque plunked into a chassis that’s among the very lightest in its class. So when Hyundai invited us to hop a plane to Seoul to sample their new force-fed family schlepper, we had our bag packed and were at the airport before you could say “pass the Kimchi.”
Peugeot 508 – Click above for high-res image gallery
While some automakers are diversifying, others are consolidating. Like Peugeot, for example, which is preparing to replace both the 407 and 607 with an all-new 508. The big sedan is set to debut in a couple of months at the biennial Paris Motor Show, but after found their way to our desks a couple of weeks ago, this first batch of official-looking images have already leaked their way out and are circulating the interwebs as you read these words.
Previewed by the at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and based on sister-company Citroën’s C5 sedan, the new 508 has appeared in both sedan and wagon formats. Full details will undoubtedly be released sometime in the next couple of months as the Paris salon approaches, but in the meantime Francophiles can check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look. Thanks for the tip, Mono!
Fiat 500 gathering at Biltmore Estate – Click above for high-res image gallery
There was undoubtedly some freaking out at the annual Fiat Freakout held at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC this year. The Freakout is more respectably referred to as the annual gathering of Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited, where owners and fans show their vintage love. This year, Fiat North America CEO Laura Soave personally rewarded the assembly with news that they would get first dibs on the first five hundred Fiat 500s to come to America, called the “Prima Edizione.”
The special allotment will come in White, Red and Gray, get manual transmissions and special badging, and buyers will be able to choose their build number. Assuming the club members don’t sponge up every one of Prima Edizione models, Fiat says it will give others a chance to get hold of one at “a later date” at . More details in the press release after the jump.
Ben Keating’s Dodge Viper ACR-X – Click above for high-res image gallery
Just after ended production of the current generation , the newest iteration hit the track in anger at Virginia International Raceway. Ben Keating led the first race on Saturday from flag to flag with a Viper ACR-X wearing an almost identical livery to the BMW that competed at Le Mans last month. However, Keating clearly had than the colorful German car.
Just because no one got past Keating, it doesn’t mean he ran away with the race. Jeff Courtney was less than a second behind the winner as they crossed the finish line. The final podium spot went to Ryan Schmisk who came up from last place on the grid.
2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery
Jens Ludmann, the German engineer in ’s European arm who led the development of the S-Max, Mondeo and 2012 , is departing the automaker after a successful 10-year run. Where to? He’s leaving the Blue Oval to join the deep blue sea, taking over as CEO of Bavaria Yachtbau, a German builder of sailing and motor yachts.
While his industry and title will change, the aim of his job won’t: turn compelling ideas into profitable products. Having done that with three of Ford’s best known vehicles in just ten years, Bavaria Yachtbau could have made a great score, and Ford has a massive gap to fill.
Allowing customers to customize colors and materials has become a popular and profitable option for many automakers in the last several years. Most offer customers the opportunity to pick up their new ride at the factory and even watch it being built. For the 2011 model year, is going one step further by giving buyers of the Z06 and the option to build the powerplant for their new .
The LS7 and used in those two models are both assembled at the Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, MI . The nature of the PBC production process, where a single technician starts with a bare block, then takes it through the entire assembly process and finally applies a name plaque before delivery, makes it well suited to this new program. The Engine Build Experience is not for those hoping to save a few bucks by taking on some of the labor involved in building their ‘Vette. In fact, it will cost an additional $5,800 plus travel to Detroit. Those not familiar with the engine building process will likely come away very impressed with the care and technology that goes into creating these high-performance engines. to see what you’ll get for your money. You can see a time-lapse video of the build process .
Gallery:
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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to let Corvette owners build their own engines – for a price [w/video]
2010 British Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery
A Formula One World Championship without a would be almost unthinkable. After all, England claims the mantle of the series’ birthplace, and its GP (along with Italy’s) stands as the longest-running in motor racing.
Despite all the history, this year’s British Grand Prix almost didn’t happen at all. At least, that’s what Bernie Ecclestone might have had us believe. Amidst declining conditions at Silverstone, which first hosted the race in 1948 and has held it exclusively since ‘87, the contract almost went back to Brands Hatch (the track that alternated with Silverstone from ‘63 to ‘86). When that deal fell apart, Silverstone and its owner, the British Racing Drivers Club, sprung into action and implemented the first in a series of comprehensive renovations aimed at bringing the age-old circuit up to spec.
The result was a for hosting the British GP for the next seventeen years and a dubbed “the Arena”. After all the renovations, the negotiations and rivalry, the circus rolled into town and raced on the new track this weekend. Follow the jump to read how it went.
had the rare opportunity on Friday to chat with CEO and president . During the conversation, he revealed that a prototype vehicle with a electric drive unit was under construction. Tesla’s Chief Technology Officer, J.B. Straubel, has , saying that the Silicon Valley company is indeed preparing two mule vehicles for Toyota. Tesla battery packs, power electronics and motors are being installed into Toyota bodies.
Straubel expects to deliver the vehicles to Toyota by the end of of this month. Toyota officials told ABG that the initial plan is to just test the performance and durability of the Tesla packs to determine whether they meet Toyota standards. If Toyota proceeds with a production program using a Tesla-style battery (employing small laptop-type cells) it will be for a new vehicle, not the .
Peter F. Baumberger’s 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery
Part of the collection of the late Swiss enthusiast Peter F. Baumberger, a gentleman racer in his day and founder of the Switzerland’s Ferrari club, this ‘62 300SL Roadster is about as desirable as they come. It’s in pristine condition and is one of just 209 examples built with the sought-after aluminum engine. It’s also one of 19 cars in Baumberger’s collection slated to cross the Bonhams auction block on August 20 in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Baumberger’s diverse collection also includes a new and a highly-desirable 1973 RS 2.7 Carrera, a favorite among Porschephiles. Both of those will be up for grabs as well, but the Benz roadster will undoubtedly be the most desirable, with pre-sale estimates valuing it at around half a million dollars. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery below, and check out Bonhams’ press release after the jump.
Volkswagen NCC patents – Click above for high-res image gallery
Take a look at what . It seems Volkswagen’s been busy securing patents for its . Do these filings mean Volkswagen is seriously considering the addition of a Jetta Coupe to the lineup? Probably. After all, the coupe concept VW teased us all with last winter looked very production-ready, and it was quite well-received.
The images here show that the car has evolved somewhat since we last saw it at the Detroit Auto Show. There’s now a traditional-style grille and exhaust, indicating that gas and diesel iterations are obviously in the works for the launch. If and when we’ll see a hybrid version in keeping with the remains to be seen. So, keep your fingers crossed that these patents foreshadow a classy little coupe from VW. This is a sharp-looking ride, and since it’s larger than the , it just might find an audience here in the land of the free.
Kia’s UK Soul Echo, Picanto and Rio special editions – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Kia Soul has another set of special-edition duds to wear in the UK. This time it’s called the Soul Echo, latest in the Soul Originals line, following such others as the , , Samba and Shaker. The Echo is offered in Clear White or Quartz Black Metallic, with stripes and accents that make them mirror images; e.g., the white Echo gets black alloys, the black Echo gets white alloys. Interior kit has been upgraded to black leather throughout, along with a beefier audio system; Bluetooth and iPod compatibility; and reversing sensors, in addition to a few other electro-gizmo add-ons. It’s priced at on the road.
A little further down the food chain are Domino editions of the Kia Picanto and Rio. Both superminis are bathed in white or black domino paint jobs and add a few options such as air conditioning. The Picanto Domino goes for OTR , the Rio Domino for OTR. Follow the jump fo Kia’s press release, and view the cars’ metallic monochrome goodness in the high-res gallery below.
Pierre Henri Raphanel in the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
We hate to be the ones to break this to you, but chances are you will never manage to drive 267.81 mph. That’s OK though, because neither will we, nor will the fair majority of humanity. Speeds of 250+ mph plus are relegated to the select few who have played their cards right enough to become factory test drivers for the likes of . Such is the case with Pierre Henri Raphanel, the guy who just piloted the into the history books.
0-60 magazine phoned Raphanel to discuss his recent run down the Ehra-Lessien track and found out just what it takes to put your right foot down and hold it there well beyond the point when your sane mind tells you to let off. Raphanel gives up some really interesting details. For instance, running the course backwards presents unique challenges, as the grain of the asphalt wreaks havoc on the direction of the vehicle at speed. Hop over to for the full read.It’s a good one.
Ferrari F430 Super Veloce Racing – Click above for image gallery
Exotic cars may look all the same to most passers-by, but gearheads know a from a Lamborghini. Japanese tuning house Auto Veloce has blurred the lines somewhat, however. Its Ferrari F430 package gets a similar visual treatment to those seen on the Lamborghini and . The result is dubbed the F430 Super Veloce Racing. It’s got the front air dam, quarter panel intakes and rear wing like the hardcore Lambos, only they’re applied to the outgoing mid-engined V8 Ferrari. As you can see in the attached image gallery, the Super Veloce Racing package can be applied to either Berlinetta or Spider bodystyles. Call it an unholy mash-up or the best of both worlds; either way, it’s available for order.
Jens Ludmann, the German engineer in ’s European arm who led the development of the S-Max, Mondeo and 2012 , is departing the automaker after a successful 10-year run. Where to? He’s leaving the 
