Pagani Huayra at Top Marques Monaco 2011 – Click above to view video
If you missed any of the action from last week’s Top Marques Monaco show, we’ve got you covered. This five-minute clip condenses all the glitzy highlights of this year’s show into one horsepower-drenched summary. The show was a seriously drool-worthy affair, featuring a wide range of exotics; from classy, composed offerings from the likes of , to the delicious to the completely silly .
High-end tuning companies always make a strong showing at Top Marques Monaco, and this year was no different. Gemballa’s two new offerings, the , broke cover after the company’s recent troubles. Add to that a host of offerings from , and , and you’ve got a great way to kill five minutes. for all the exotic glory. Thanks for the tip, HF!
2012 BMW K 1600 GTL – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that the company’s entire line of 2012 motorcycles will come with anti-lock braking systems as standard equipment. The German manufacturer points to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that shows bikes with ABS are 37-percent less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than their non-ABS counterparts. BMW has been a longstanding advocate of the safety system as it helped bring anti-lock technology to the two-wheeled consumer market 23 years ago.
The manufacturer’s 2012 K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL are loaded with technology and safety kit such as ABS brakes that are designed to keep riders in the saddle and off the tarmac. As you may recall, BMW has fitted the bikes with the industry’s first adaptive headlight, and a new multi-function grip means that riders can access and adjust most of the motorcycles systems without having to remove their hands from the handlebars. for the full press release.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle reveal in NYC – Click above for high-res image gallery
Elaborating on our previous details from the , North America CEO Jonathan Browning has told Autoblog, “We’re aiming to essentially go after the so far as market positioning and price offerings.”
That means a price range from $20,000 to $24,000 when the coupe launches worldwide in late September, and between $25,000 and $29,000 for the 2013 convertible. These price ranges take into account the three engines on offer at the start of deliveries: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, 2.0-liter TDI diesel, and 200-hp 2.0-liter TFSI. There’s no telling what the price will be on the hot Beetle R foreseen for mid-2013 with the newest 261-hp “W28″ turbocharged inline-five from the Scirocco R.
Wheels available at launch will range from a standard 17-inch set to optional 18-inch and 19-inch, the latter set being the size shown on all of the Beetles that you’ll see in our photos from the 2011 New York Auto Show.
VW global branding boss Luca De Meo tells us, “We want to avoid the almost total lack of rollout planning that the former New Beetle suffered. That car had a couple of pretty good years and then it fell dramatically. We want to keep offering new things that are significant this time around so as to keep the car fresh.”
Though Volkswagen could rely on its vast worldwide manufacturing network to build the Beetle for Western Europe, China, and North America, bosses in New York say that all Beetle manufacturing will remain exclusively at the Juarez, Mexico plant.
Audi A3 e-tron Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
rolled out yet another e-tron concept alongside the in Shanghai, and what it lacks in power, it makes up for with efficiency, fuel economy… and weight.
The came packing a modified version of the TT RS’ turbocharged five-cylinder, outputting over 400 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. This etron variant – based on the RS3 hatch – ditches the five-pot in favor of a turbo’d and direct-injected 1.4-liter four-cylinder that brings 211 horsepower to the party, and combined with another 27 ponies pulled from the 20kW electric motor, can propel the A3 etron to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds before topping out at 143 mph.
A seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission is the only drivetrain component carried over from the concept’s RS3 roots, but combined with lithium-ion battery pack stored in the trunk, Audi claims the e-tron can putt along for up to 34 miles on electric power alone thanks to the plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
The suspension carries over, with a MacPherson design up front and a four-link independent rear end, along with 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/30 R20 rubber at all four corners. The square setup would indicate that the e-tron is all-wheel-drive, but Audi doesn’t give any specifics on how power finds its way to the ground.
The exterior is a dead-ringer for the original concept, albeit e-tronified with a new grille and bumper framed by a carbon fiber-reinforced frame, aluminum hood, trunk and doors. However, the weight savings is largely nullified by the battery weight in the boot, increasing the curb weight to 3,792 – nearly 400 pounds more than the original.
Inside, it’s typical concept car flare partnered with Audi’s next-generation MMI system complete with a UMTS module to provide wireless internet, WLAN hotspot functionality and Google mapping and POI search.
A toned-down version of the A3 sedan is due to hit the market late next year, and if Audi intends to stick to its electrified roadmap, we could see an e-tron variant arrive by 2013 at the earliest. Full details in the press blast .
The brand is among the most exclusive and revered in the world, but how much is it worth? Bloomberg reports that CEO Sergio Marchionne feels the Prancing Horse is worth more than 5 billion euros, or $7.3 billion in U.S. dollars. That’s a big chunk of change for an automaker that cleared only $430 million in 2010 on sales of $2.73 billion, and the total represents 63 percent of the entire Fiat group’s estimated worth of $11.4 billion.
The reason for Marchionne’s high valuation of the Italian exotic car maker is its “sacred brand” status. Like an NFL team that sells for $1 billion only to average $20 million in profits per year, Ferrari is so highly regarded that it could sell for well beyond its cash-generation capabilities would indicate. If Ferrari were valued at $7.3 billion, that would be 17 times its annual earnings. Luxury brands average about 12.7 times annual earnings.
Marchionne has every reason to value his prized property as high as possible, but analysts and banks don’t seem to agree with the CEO’s assessment. Estimates are that Ferrari is worth about $4.3 billion. But at the same time, banks appear very eager for Fiat to issue an IPO for Ferrari, which could be an indication that there is serious money to be made.
Fiat has mentioned the possibility of for Ferrari as a way to generate cash and eliminate debt, though the automaker claims no decision has been made to put up the brand for public sale.
In other news, Marchionne told Bloomberg that he has put in an order for a white . Yeah, we can see why Marchionne places a high value on the Ferrari brand. It’s good to be the CEO.
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2011 Lorenzo Marcinno / Carrstudio / AOL
2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Click above to view video
Volkswagen teased its during the Super Bowl this year, with a spot featuring a black beetle outrunning all the other bugs in the forest. At the end, VW gave us a look at the silhouette of the reshaped Beetle, but that was it. Now, the video has been recut to show the public the all-new Beetle in full regalia.
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle was unveiled publicly for the first time this week, simultaneously debuting at the New York Auto Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and in Berlin. Though the car looks like a slightly reshaped version of the outgoing New Beetle, the real changes are under the car’s skin.
In an apparent attempt to get away from the cutesy image the New Beetle has gained since it went on sale in 1998, VW completely threw out the old design and started from scratch. The result is a longer, wider and more spacious Beetle, which VW says hearkens back to the car’s rugged, fun to drive, utilitarian origins.
Added to that, VW tried to make the car more masculine, adding a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter four cylinder, bigger wheels and a Fender sound system. Click to see the reedited commercial.
Though it’s cleverly disguised as an automobile, don’t be fooled. The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the world’s ultimate portable smoke generator. The fact that it can pull double-duty as a method of transportation is nothing but a quirky side benefit to its purpose in life. Consider it a value-added feature that helps justify its seemingly high $45,000 price tag.
It’s really quite ingenious. All that’s required to create your own massive plume of thick white smoke is premium-grade gasoline and two 245/45ZR20 tires, both of which are readily available, and both of which are consumed in roughly equal quantities. The actual process of making the smoke-screen is so simple even a caveman could do it. One step: Mash the throttle pedal to the floorboard. Done.
Strangely enough, during our , we found out that it’s possible to do other things with the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. For instance, with a modicum of restraint at the specific point at which your right foot comes into contact with the throttle pedal, you can drive the 392 in a straight line. Equally as surprising, at least to those who know anything about classic muscle cars, the Challenger is even capable of traveling in directions other than forward, and for more than 1,320 feet at a time.
We’re just as shocked as you.
We decided to borrow one of these weapons of mass (tire) destruction for a week with two goals in mind: to see both how much smoke can be created from one set of tires (or one tank of gasoline, whichever comes first…) and how the most powerful Challenger fulfills the unlikely role of an everyday driver.
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
Though it’s cleverly disguised as an automobile, don’t be fooled. The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the world’s ultimate portable smoke generator. The fact that it can pull double-duty as a method of transportation is nothing but a quirky side benefit to its purpose in life. Consider it a value-added feature that helps justify its seemingly high $45,000 price tag.
It’s really quite ingenious. All that’s required to create your own massive plume of thick white smoke is premium-grade gasoline and two 245/45ZR20 tires, both of which are readily available, and both of which are consumed in roughly equal quantities. The actual process of making the smoke-screen is so simple even a caveman could do it. One step: Mash the throttle pedal to the floorboard. Done.
Strangely enough, during our , we found out that it’s possible to do other things with the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. For instance, with a modicum of restraint at the specific point at which your right foot comes into contact with the throttle pedal, you can drive the 392 in a straight line. Equally as surprising, at least to those who know anything about classic muscle cars, the Challenger is even capable of traveling in directions other than forward, and for more than 1,320 feet at a time.
We’re just as shocked as you.
We decided to borrow one of these weapons of mass (tire) destruction for a week with two goals in mind: to see both how much smoke can be created from one set of tires (or one tank of gasoline, whichever comes first…) and how the most powerful Challenger fulfills the unlikely role of an everyday driver.
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
has some changes in store for the , with an upgraded grille and a V6 that gains 14 horsepower versus the 2011 model. Aesthetic changes are limited to the front grille, where premium finishes have been added to better highlight the combination of frame and mesh. The Wreath & Crest logo has been tweaked (), with brighter colors and raised ridges.
The big news on the power front is an upgraded 3.6-liter V6 that now delivers 318 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque; up from the current mill’s 304 horses and 273 lb-ft. GM engineers were able to improve power without impacting fuel economy by developing larger intake valves, an improved port design and adding a longer-duration intake camshaft. The aluminum V6 is also an impressive 20.5-pounds lighter for 2012, thanks to a composite intake manifold, a lighter front cover and high-strength connecting rods. The 3.6’s weight-loss program aids fuel efficiency (an EPA-estimated 18 city/27 highway) while also improving weight distribution, which is never a bad thing.
Also new for 2012 is a Touring package that adds a darker grille and 19-inch wheels on the outside and dark Sapele wood interior trim, steel pedals, sued inserts on the seats, shift knob and steering wheel inside the cabin. Finally, Bluetooth connectivity has been added across the range, while the Coupe, with its massive pair of rear flanks, gets standard blind-zone alert technology.
2012 Nissan Tiida – Click above for high-res image gallery
has joined the crowd of unveils at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show by introducing the 2012 Tiida. While we expect to get a closer look at the American version of this hatch later this week at the 2011 New York Auto Show, most of the juiciest details have already been served up on the other side of the globe. Along with some shapely new lines and reworked headlights, the 2012 Nissan Tiida comes packing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. That’s different than the 1.8-liter lump found in the American , though buyers can expect to see similar fuel economy.
Barring any major advancements in the vehicle’s already-efficient CVT gearbox, the EPA will likely brand the car with the same 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway rating. Not bad considering that the little econo-can rocks 122 108 horsepower.
Interestingly enough, Nissan has made mention of a new turbocharged version of the Tiida, though no actual specifics have been mentioned at this point. While that likely means the pint-sized hatch will soon be packing one of the company’s three-cylinder forced-induction engines, we’re dreaming about a Versa with the 188 horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine from the under the hood. for Nissan’s official word from Shanghai.
In late 2010, outlined to cut 175 of its 500 metropolitan dealerships. The goal was to eliminate redundancy, while at the same time giving the remaining stores a better chance to succeed.
Six months into the plan, Bloomberg reports that The Blue Oval has so far cut 100 of those dealers, bringing the total amount of retail outlets in the top 130 markets to 400. The next step for the remaining dealers is to upgrade their facilities to include new training and staffing standards and perks like free car washes in the hopes of meeting or exceeding the buying experience at or stores. Dealers have until August 31 to meet these new standards, which are said to cost up to $2 million per store. Those who don’t qualify may receive decreased marketing support from . The Blue Oval is reportedly still offering to buy Lincoln dealers or pair them with Ford franchises.
There is no question that Ford is asking dealers to heavily invest in their dealerships, and at a time when sales are very, very poor. Lincoln sales are down 11 percent so far in 2011, while the industry at large has experienced a 20-percent sales increase. But while sales are slow now, Ford has promised to introduce seven new Lincoln models by 2014. Ford is meeting with the Lincoln dealer council this week to discuss changes in customer service, while also giving the select dealers a sneak peek at some next-generation Lincoln models.
The has been enjoying lots of hype as the seductively-styled concept will donate most of its design cues to the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-class. Now, the next small Mercedes has gotten even more enticing, with AMG reportedly hard at work on a 350-horsepower version of the diminutive Benz. have been swirling for months now, but with the new styling comes new hope that the car will actually exist.
That much grunt goes a long way in any application, but in a car the size of the , it’s borderline murderous. Word is AMG will attempt to rein in the herd with a four-wheel-drive system gleaned from Mercedes’ upcoming small SUV.
Details like what engine AMG will shoehorn into the A-class are nonexistent, though we’d expect it to be a tuned version of the 2.0-liter, turbocharged BlueEFFICIENCY four pot in the . Whatever winds up motivating the baby ‘bahn stormer, with that much power and a possible four-wheel drive setup, it promises to be a stone riot. No word yet on whether the AMG A-class will make it to the States, but Mercedes is reportedly thinking about bringing the standard version here, which at least gives us a small shred of hope.
Infiniti JX concept sketch – Click above for high-res image
If the calendar shows that a major auto show is upon us, that means it’s time for automakers to release teaser images and video. Since the 2011 New York Auto Show is about to open its doors, has taken the opportunity to release a hazy sketch of a vehicle to be revealed… at Pebble Beach?
Called the JX, this luxury crossover teases with talk of three-row seating and flowing lines. Infiniti is mum on the details (diminutive press released ) but we’re going to bet that this isn’t the J30 reborn. Crossovers are still a hot commodity, so Infiniti is looking to add another one to its current lineup.
More details will be available when the concept version is shown at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. We do know, however, that . This means there could be a wide range of available engines, but it also means Infiniti could be taking the proper precautions to ensure the name they want is available once a powertrain is chosen. The production version will bow at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show before heading to dealer showrooms in the spring of 2012, as a 2013 model.
While some have been quick to point fingers at the 2011Chevrolet Volt involved in two separate incidents at the Barkhamsted, CT home of Storm and Dee Connors, has updated its to improve the clarity of the situation. “While the Volt’s battery pack sustained damage,” says General Motors Global Electric Vehicle Executive Doug Parks, “it was not extensive enough or of the type that would suggest that it caused the fire.”
GM experts are working with fire officials in the small town in the Northwest corner of Connecticut to help determine the cause of the blaze that also destroyed a home-built Samurai EV that Storm Connors had been . General Motors is confident that the engineering and systems in the Chevrolet Volt provide exceptional safety, and the vehicle’s involvement in this situation is one of circumstance, merely a damaged vehicle due to its parking spot, and not the root cause of the fire. Full statement posted .
models have never lacked ambition, from the company’s original incarnation under founder Ettore Bugatti to its present-day operations under the . That unbridled moxie looks poised to gather pace with the brand’s forthcoming super sedan.
Not only will the Galibier be very exclusive and very costly, British magazine CAR is reporting that the W16 engine from the will be ported over with its dual-clutch gearbox, albeit with a twist – it will also be available with optional hybrid power. The dual-power system is being developed because an increasing number of metropolitan city centers are taking steps to curb or ban internal combustion cars firing up in downtown areas, and Bugatti owners aren’t exactly the type to take mass transit.
In an interview with the marque’s new president and CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, CAR confirms the project is still in its early stages, with the final dimensions of the car and its chassis construction not yet settled upon. The design is expected to be finalized this fall, and the leading architectures in contention are a carbon monocoque like the Veyron or possibly an aluminum spaceframe.
While the Veyron’s production run has been earmarked at 300 units, the Galibier is to increase that tenfold to 3,000 units, but the price will still be steep – CAR estimates the privilege of ownership will cost upwards of £1 million ($1.62M dollars).
2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is fresh off its global unveiling earlier today, and the good-looking hatch appears to be dead serious about appealing to the masses. will offer the Beetle with diesel and petrol powerplants and a convertible is expected to arrive for the 2013 model year.
Good stuff, but what about red-blooded enthusiasts? The German automaker could have simply pointed out the availability of the 2.0T model as the driver’s Beetle, but Team VW apparently has bigger and hopefully better plans. Car and Driver is reporting that VW has officially announced that a high-performance Beetle R will be available for U.S. consumption. C/D points out that the last Beetle also came in a hi-po RSi variant, though the hatchback was a Euro-only affair and it was a complete bust.
We’re more hopeful for the Beetle R, if only because the Beetle is more attractive and far more masculine in appearance than its predecessor. It could help, too, if VW offers the high-output 2.0T as the powertrain of choice. Under the hood of the , the boosted powerplant cranks out 265 horsepower, which should be more than enough motivation to make the Beetle R .
2011 Chrysler 200 S sedan and 200 S convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
is jumping the gun, so to speak, choosing to reveal two new family members ahead of the 2011 New York Auto Show. The and appear to be edgier than their non-S counterparts, which is because Chrysler has given them a shot in the styling arm, upping the visual appeal by a few degrees.
The 2011 200 S gets an S-specific Chrysler wing badge on the nose, body-colored side mirrors and door handles and a pair of headlamps with black backgrounds. Sitting underneath the fenders are four 18-inch aluminum wheels, which also all wear the S badge. Inside, the 200 S gets embroidered front headrests, heated leather front seats with suede inserts, suede door trim and a 276-watt Boston Acoustic audio system.
Under the hood, the 200 S gets the now-familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which is good for 283-horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an automatic transmission, the duo is good for 29 miles per gallon on the highway. The fixed-roof 200 S will set you back $26,790 while the drop-top costs $32,490. Both versions are expected to show up on dealer lots sometime this spring.
Be sure to check out the full press release posted .
BMW EVolve App for iPhone – Click above for high-res image gallery
I want an EV. Call me an early adopting sucker, but I’ve been actively considering an electric vehicle with the . But the is way beyond my meager means and the is just too pedestrian for my gearhead tastes. So what’s left? Not much. The Focus Electric makes a strong case for itself, but it’s still a ways out, and while the Tesla Model S certainly has styling, size and geeky sex-appeal on its side, like the Roadster, it’s beyond my budget.
So there’s one option left. And it’s a good one. With rear-wheel drive, a reasonable range and a lease price that – while yet to be set – I’ve been assured should be within reach of a full-time blogger. I’m talking about the -based ActiveE. And if latest app for the iPhone and Android is any indication, the ActiveE could be the perfect fit for me. But what about you?
Shanghai Struts its Stuff – Challenging the Big Apple
Barely two decades ago, China’s roads were ruled by bicycles, motorbikes and buses.
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Shanghai Convention Center was little more than a rice paddy, but this week, the sprawling facility will play host to what has rapidly become one of the world’s most important auto shows.
By a quirk of the calendar, this year’s big Chinese car show not only overlaps but threatens to overwhelm the New York Auto Show and its ability to garner valuable media time – a development that echoes the rapidly transformation occurring in the global automotive business.
Michael Dunne, the founder of Automotive Resources Asia – today a part of J.D. Power and Associates – recalls his first trip to China, barely two decades ago, when the roads were ruled by bicycles, motorbikes and buses, and the sight of an automobile was enough to draw everyone’s attention. Today, the most populous nation on Earth is also the biggest automotive market, having surpassed the U.S. two years ago, never to look back.
Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of , and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.
2011 BMW Z4 – Click above for high-res image gallery
and small cars go together likes punch and pie. understands this, and the automaker has officially announced that the is . This marks the first time in decades that BMW is bringing a four-banger to U.S. shores. Fans of the 2002, rejoice.
The BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster will serve up its engine bay for the new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Output is rated at 240-horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque, which arrives at just 1,250 rpm. Using a combination of direct-injection, BMW’s Valvetronic intake management and a twin-scroll turbo allows the engine to produce V6 power with I4 efficiency. BMW expects to see a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing motor. The eight-speed automatic transmission will also certainly help the Z4 in the fuel economy fight.
No word yet on pricing or a date when we can see the turbocharged Z4 sitting in dealer showrooms. Click to read the full press release.
Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of , and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.
