GM has announced that a Solstice Coupe will most certainly be following up on the narrow footprint of the Solstice Convertible. They will also be working on some revisions to the 4 cylinder engine to increase the horsepower flowing through their little pocket-rocket. The new coupe will be reaching the auto market in 2009, while plans are already begun for a total reworking of the Solstice design by 2011.

Maybe since there will be no convertible top taking up space behind the two seats of the Solstice Coupe there may actually be enough room in there for a suitcase. That might ofcourse be too much to expect, but maybe enough room for a day-bag would be a good start.

Source[windingroad]

Audi is blazing into 2008 with a stable of new designs that truly impress. Included in that line-up is the redesign of the TT and the unveiling of the R8 super car. However, it seems that Audi is not yet prepared to rest on the laurels they have been receiving for such striking designs. In fact it seems as though they engineers and designers at Audi are so proud of their work they want to the whole world to see what is inside. So now they are taking their tops off and planning to bring to market a TT Speedster and the R8 Spider.

The TT Speedster retains all the sophistication of the new TT while unleashing the thrill of the road into your face. While what you are seeing is purely a rendering of what is to come this topless TT strikes at you without shame or embarrassment. If they can actually couple the tenacity of the Speedsters design with the TT’s performance and Audi’s usual interior sophistication then they will truly have an automotive gem on their hands here.

But if the TT Speedster is a gem then what can you make of the R8 Spider?

While this simple cartoon-ish sketch is all we have to go on so far, it is easy to build plenty of expectation for what is already a great design. For some people a topless R8 Spider may actually be having your cake and driving it too. You can anticipate plenty of build up as the Spider plans come closer to fruition.

Audi is certainly going full-throttle in their design and engineering department and we approve. To see more sketches of the TT Speedster head over to egmCarTech.

The engineers are 9ff are nearly ready to put to task their retooling of the Porche 911 Turbo. They will be taking on the Bugatti Veyron who is sitting pretty as the fastest production model car with a record of 253mph. To breach the record 9ff has made some minor *wink wink* modifications to the Turbo’s horsepower to increase the output from just over 500 all the way up to just over 900. They have also garnered the expert assistance from H&R on the suspension and chassis to keep this record challenging Porsche gripping the pavement.

The production run of the Porsche 9ff GT9 is reported to be 20 cars with a price tag of $651,405. If they are successful at supplanting the Bugatti as the fastest car in production they will also be undercutting it in price by nearly $400,000. …And who does not like a fast discount?

Source[AutoSpies]
Source[egmCarTech]

A walk into a RIDEMAKERZ showroom gives you the immediate feeling of walking into a dream car garage… only in miniature. With a selection of dozens of body styles and paint jobs to “chooze” from you have the ability and the cooperative guidance of their pit crew to build the car you always wanted but in a size you can afford. In their build area you select the wheels, the graphics and exhaust, the sounds to go with it, the spoiler and then some. There are enough customization parts available to make any gearhead giggle yet enough amusement in the process to entice the non-gear-inclined as well.

Once your ride is ready to roll it comes packaged in a sweet tool box carrier and you are ready to hit the streets… er sidewalks, patio, kitchen floor, where ever. You also get to register your car at the store and receive cusomized tagging so that your Build-an-RC is logged forever in the archives of the RIDEMILEZ Club. It is like Build-a-Bear but much less fluffy.

Come November there will be four locations where you can build your dream ride. In the meantime check out the RIDEMAKERZ webpage and start thinking about your own personal dream car build. Whether you choose a controlled car or a free wheeler you are certain to have a blast.

At this years Frankfort auto show Peugeot will roll out their latest concept, the 308 RC Z. If you are thinking that this Peugeot looks a lot like the Audi TT but with its mouth opened wide to catch the breeze you are not alone. However, with a closer inspection there are enough tweaks and nuances to differentiate the two coupes.

By looking at the numbers for this car it seems that efficiency comes first and then the thrill of the drive. With the light composite body formed from the mixed use of aluminum, carbon fiber and the polycarbonate roof that molds down into the rear window the 308 RC Z comes in at a mere 2,650 lbs. When that light design is mated with a 218-hp 1.6 liter twin-turbo engine you have just enough play to make it exciting and yet still achieve something around 30-mpg.

The design features do not end with the shell as the entire interior shows the same attention to detail as the exterior. With the sleek dash and race inspired seating the TT… oops, I mean Peugoet built a cockpit surround that should give you the feeling of purposed oppulance. And with a second row of seats big enough to hold a grocery bag or two you will not have to worry about any unwanted double dates.

Judging from the proportions of the 308 RC Z it appears to be a mid-engine car. If so that shift in weight should help keep those rear tires planted to the ground for better accelleration that the zero-to-60 time of 7.5 seconds advertised. However, a lightening fast take-off is not the intent of this Peugoet. With the 308 RC Z the impetus is all about the guiltless thrill of getting there, wherever there is, and in doing so at a price below the competition.

Source[CarScoop]

Surprisingly enough, there are cars that are not on sale in the States, there are many reason that go around as to why this is, but at the end of the day, these mainly European vehicles cannot be ordered despite that quality of the design and build.

Not available in the US:

Alfa Romeo Spider V6 model, Costs about $46,377.

Aston Martin Vanquish S Costs about $360,000.

Audi S3 Costs about $39,700.

BMW 1 Series Estimated U.S. Starting Price: Around $30,000.

Citroen C6 Costs about $54,000.

Fiat 500 Costs about $14,000.

smart fortwo Starting U.S. Price Under $12,000.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Estimated U.S. Price: Around $35,000.

Nissan Skyline Costs about $25,000.

Peugeot 4007 Pricing Not Available.

The top euro brands like Renault, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat are not sold in the States, the only euro type cars that you are likely to be seeing in a showroom are the high end brands, Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati etc, even German brands have trouble in some States this has something to with the emissions.

Yet it was not that long ago when the cars above were readily available and were sold in decent numbers too. So what has changed?

It was all to do with the 1990’s the euro car makers were struggling with high costs and prices, plus there was a new revival of the Japanese car makers, like Toyota and Nissan, one by one the euro cars were pulling out of the States and concentrating on the home market, of which they have done very well, but still they will not return to the States.

There are the weak possibilities that with the modern hi tech diesels that there may be another euro invasion of the states, with clean and green cars taking the lead these days for consumers on both sides of the USA, these cars could be the leading edge for them

So it would appear that US car buyers could have a little bit more of a choice when choosing a new car, but how many will want to take the leap of faith is anyone’s guess, the US car market is huge and people have the likes and dislikes, could the euro cars get it right? We can only wait and see.

Source [Forbes]

 

Volvo is rolling out their new C30 now and it seems that they are trying some new marketing strategies to attract new buyers. The Scion line-up gathered much attention when they made buyer customization a large part of the purchasing process. The new buyer is able to specialize their own car to their satisfaction. Some high-end cars have also made customization part of their ordering process to. So now Volvo, who hopes to bring in younger, hip buyers with their C30 hatchback, has put out their menu of side dishes so that you the buyer have yet more choices to make.

There does seem to be an inherent downside to the Made to Order Volvo in that you really have to add on some features that are customarily included in the prepackaged cars for the rest of the Volvo line-up. Giving me a base model hatchback and telling me that cruise-control and front cupholders are things that I must add on might not be as frustrating if the hatchback was not already starting at $25,000. By the time I am done customizing there is a chance that an S40 model may already be on the car lot with the same add-ons and at a similar price. Oh, and I think I failed to mention that there is a $300 fee to order your personalized C30. So that is a mandatory for an obligated process inorder to buy the car?

The design and promise of the C30 has built up much anticipation for many of us out here. However, much like fast food, if I were to order a hamburger and then get charged per condiment there is a good chance I will just find another hamburger joint. At this point the Shop-aholic in me has already built a C30 on the Volvo website, and my appetite is growing. But once all the extras have been ordered for my desired hatchback there is a good chance  my stomach will be turned against it when I get the bill.

Source[VolvoCars] 
Source[CarandDriver]

Lumma Design has released a follow-up to the CLR 600 body kit for the BMW 6-series that lightens the bold and bulky moldings for street use. The CLR 600 S (yep, S stands for Street) is a road worthy body kit that ads a more aggressive stance to a drivers car. With the open air-vents in the front for cold air and brake cooling and a rear defuser and rear spoiler to keep the back-end planted, the CLR 600 S widely improves the intimidation factor from the BMW.

There is also an engine kit to go along with the CLR 600 S body kit. The engine kit includes 2 air intake plenums and a carbon fiber air filter housing. Just a little dressing to go with the street hulk exterior.

For more photos of the Lumas Design CLR 600 S head to Fast-Autos. To a Lumas Design body kit for your BMW check with  your BMW dealership.

Source[Fast-Autos]

In reality the DeLorean Motor Company never went away, it just stopped building new cars. Due the very public humiliation of founder John Delorean when he got himself into trouble trying to save the company. The DeLorean Motor Company was bought by a company based in Texas; they also have a network of regional affiliates, and are in the business of just keeping the company name and the car alive.

There were 9,000 DeLoreans built, but it is estimated that there are only around 6,500 on the road, which require parts and servicing etc. But the company cringes every time they see a mock up of the most famous of all DeLoreans, the one from the movie series “Back to the Future”.

So what could be the future for the DeLorean? It appears that there are plans to build the car again, however they will be in the form of kits, this way the company can save money and time, supplying a car in kit form has a lot less restrictions placed on them, than their factory built cousins.

As soon as the current restoration program has been cleared, it is then that the company will start to produce the kits and who knows where this would lead. There are many fans of the car, the film and both the car and the film, this is a pretty large base to be building on.

The estimated start date is believed to be around spring of next year, so we had better get saving then!

Source [Auto Blog]

Chrysler has announced that they will be offering a Lifetime Warranty on the powertrains of nearly all the products they own. Some stipulations and conditions apply to the warranty but it still is a very bold move by a company in transition. It almost seems as though Chrysler is the debutant of the Automotive Industry as they are constantly doing something to gain headlines.

The new Lifetime Warranty covers the engine, transmission and drive system for all parts and labor for the lifetime that the buyer owns the car. The powertrain warranty does not transfer when the original buyers sells or trades their car, but that does not takeaway from the giant leap they are taking with the offer. A leap that no other auto manufacturer has dared. While Hyundai has a 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty, the Chrysler warranty (assuming you are someone who can hold onto a car this long) will last its owner from 10 years, 1 day to a lifetime beyond the Hyundai warranty.

The Lifetime Powertrain Warranty covers all three brands consisting of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

To read more about Chrysler’s official release that details the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty pay a visit to WindingRoad. You will also see new ads popping up on TV already as Jeep commercials are already in rotation.