It has been said that when Mercedes-Benz placed their F700 concept sedan on the spinning stage at the Frankfurt Auto Show they were putting on display the future of Mercedes design. While there will obviously be alterations to what you see now on the F700 when the car morphs into the 2012 C-Class, what you see above may be the dominant features to be exhibited. And just like many future concepts there are those who see the beauty in the intended design concept and there are others who may just be glad they buy BMW’s.
After years of being known as builders of quality cars with luxury comforts Lexus is now poised to put some “F” in its cars - FUN. When Lexus put out their IS 250 and IS 350 they drew some immediate approval from me for having a sedan with some parts aggression mixed with some class and Lexus reliability. However, with the IS-F Lexus has their sites on the Grand Pooba of sporting sedans - the BMW M3.
In order to challenge the 2008 M3 and its new 400-hp V8 Lexus has grabbed one of their own V8’s out of their inventory. While Lexus is still keeping wraps on which V8 they intend to use the speculation is out there that the 5.0 Liter V8 from the LS 600h L is a likely candidate. The target output for whatever V8 they choose is said to be 400-hp with an intended zero-to-sixty time less than 4.9 seconds. Anything above 4.8 seconds would pair the IS-F with the BMW 335i, and apparently that would not be aiming high enough for Lexus.
Based off the tuner friendly design of the Volvo C30 Heico Sportiv has applied their products and badging to the new hatchback in preparation for the upcoming Sema show in Las Vegas this October. The Heico touch can be seen inside and out on the C30 and despite the soft surfer stickering they do well to add some aggression to the already sporty design. With the addition of the Heico product line-up to tune the new Volvo the opportunities to customize what is already a Made-to-Order product from the manufacturer the C30 is made further an expression of its owners tastes and budget. Ofcourse Heico Sportiv’s best add-on will be found beneath the bonnet.
This week at the Frankfurt Auto Show Lamborghini put on display their latest answer to the Super Car world. Ofcourse some might argue that a Murcielago is Super Car enough and already priced at Super Car pricing. Well leave it to Lamborghini to want to one-up themselves by creating an ultimate version of their Super Cars in the Reventon.
BMW’s 1-Series coupe continues to be an internet darling as we await for its Spring arrival onto the American market. While the specs and models of the 1-Series have been thoroughly discussed over and over the retail price of the car has been irritably with-held (well… I was growing irritable). A recent report from Automobile magazine has finally broken open the great price debate. Their sources tell them that the base 128i model of the 1-Series will come in at an estimated $27,000. While the 135i and its twin-turbo straight six and its inspiring 300 horses is expected to run closer to $35,000.
There is certainly a lot to like about the BMW 1-Series and its unleashing upon the auto market will be a day celebrated by quite a number of enthusiasts. Either model could really satisfy most drivers as even the 128i comes with 230-hp. That is more than enough horsepower to stand-up against the uniquely styled Volvo C30 or the Audi A3.
If you are looking for a plethora of articles about the Suzuki auto line-up in this publication you are going to be searching a long time. This will certainly be the first one that I have written. Suzuki has just unveiled at this weeks Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany their first interesting concept that supposedly has a future. The Suzuki Kizashi is larger than any other sedan being produced by the Asian car manufacturer and certainly exudes more style than we are accustomed to seeing from them. The only other cars with the large ”S” crest on them that I have seen have belonged to Shaquille O’Neal.
The Suzuki Kizashi is powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine presently but is reportedly to receive Suzuki’s new hybrid technology when the car based off this concept is released on the market in (supposedly) 2010. The present setup also has the power from the engine feeding all four wheels, which is presumably how the hybrid system for the Kizashi will operate.
Whether or not the Kizashi ever see’s the light of day beyond its concept unveiling it is nice to see that the kids in the design room over at Suzuki were finally allowed to play around a little beyond the ordinary sedan. While the concept car may actually get some people traffic through the Suzuki showcase it is not going to help them in pushing any of their other bland-mobiles in the coming year. …Nice try though.
While it makes sense for car manufacturers to release new variations on their current models every 5 years or so, I wonder if the public would be ready for some almost exact replicas from the past. Some of the most successful niche vehicles in recent history have been remakes of past legends, or at least hybrids between new and old. Think the new Beetle from VW or the Mustang from Ford. Even the PT Cruiser.
It seems to me that the first car company to start a line of exact replicas (of course with modern engines and parts) would gain a very large market and face zero competition.
While not an exact replica, one of the concept cars I’m most excited about is the Chrysler Challenger. Pure Muscle:
As much as I love the current generation of 2007 Mustangs, there are a few glaring problems. Instead of listing my own pet peves, I’d prefer to see what our readers think. So this is an open thread where you can rant and rave about places where Ford cut corners on the the 2007 model.
This post is dedicated to all of you out there who are pinching pennies to save for the ultimate pony. I’m with you. I’m salivating and waiting for the perfect moment to dig my teeth into a Ford Shelby Mustang…soon enough…soon enough;-)
After rounds of speculation and misdirection Chevrolet finally comes out to say that the Corvette referred to as “Blue Devil” and thought to be the upcoming ZO7 is actually going to get badged as the ZR1. The ZR1 badging was first used in 1971 and then revived again in the 90’s. It is usually earmarked as the fastest of the Corvette breed during its limited production run. With a 6.2 liter supercharged V8 it is promised to have more horsepower than the current 505-hp ZO6.
The all new supercharged Corvette is listed as a 2009 model and will begin production in 2008. Sales for the ZR1 are projected to begin in late 2008. And if you think the ZO6 costs a pretty penny just wait until you get a load of this Corvette. Supercharging a production car does not come cheap.
It is also believed that the same 6.2 liter V8 that is in the ZR1 is what will find its way into the next Cadillac CTS-v. What a mighty tandem they will make for GM.
The ZR1 Corvette is going to have its coming-out party at this years Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Look for more information from Chevrolet during that time.
