Posted in Auto Show, Design, GM, Pontiac, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
If you have been itching for a brand new roadster on a budget and would like to feel the wind in your hair without the fear of your hat or toupee launching into space then the 2010 Pontiac Solstice Coupe might be just the ticket. With the Solstice Coupe and its Targa top you have the enjoyment of the elements while still having a bit of coupe to catch your wind-blown possessions. The coupe also provides owners the added advantage of a foot or two of more cargo space. Weekend getaways involving luggage is not what the Solstice was built for.
Much as BMW has done by offering their Z4 in both Coupe and Roadster form (that’s right! Who is the gutsy man to compare a BMW to a Pontiac? Mu-ha-ha-ha!), Pontiac looks to expand the marketability of their roadster by bringing it out in Coupe form. However, the Pontiac completes the package with the potential for wind shear from time to time and that might just make all the difference. …Or at least enough to sell a few more Solstice’s.
Mechanically the Coupe and Roadster forms of the 2010 Pontiac Solstice are identical and are unlikely to see any further changes. Pontiac will likely ride these little Roadsters out for a while before something new and maybe exciting is designed to replace it. Since being allocated from the GM adult table over to the kiddy table it seems unlikely that Pontiac will be bringing much more “excitement” to the family banquet than they already have. …Follow the link for the Solstice Coupe Gallery… 
Posted in Car Tech, Electric Cars, Emissions, Roadster, Tesla by will bee · Leave a reply
After much consternation, legal wrangling, corporate in-fighting and upheavel, and transmission troubles the Tesla Roadster has reached its self-imposed benchmark of going into full production on March 17th. That does not mean they have reached full-capactiy on their production line, but at least it is a start. For those who have plunked down their $10,000 or better down payment on the all new EV Roadster this is the news they have been waiting and watching for.
The news of Tesla production implementation comes straight from the corporate blog of Ze’ev Drori himself, Tesla’s President and CEO. According to his own report the very next step for Tesla will be expanding its own Sales and Service capacity. Currently they have two sales & service locations in the works: Los Angeles and Menlo Park. So if you are on the East Coast it might be best if you just do not have any problems with your Tesla automobile.
If the news of the Tesla Roadster reaching production excites you enough now to want to purchase one for yourself then you will have to get in line. This years full production quotient has already been spoken for. But if a 2009 model sounds appealing to you then by all means give them a call.
The production goal for Tesla will be 100 cars a month, but at the moment they are squeaking out around 5 a week. According to prior reports it is still a learning process, the whole car assembly line, for them and for the Tesla Roadster and it is in everyone’s best interest if they get it right the first time. At this small a production schedule recalls really are not an option and could be devastating to the new, small car company.
Source[Tesla]
Posted in Cars, Design, Morgan, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
After being introduced in 2006 the Morgan AeroMax is all prepped and ready for production. Based off the Morgan Aero8 chassis and sharing many physical attributes with the classic based roadster, the AeroMax bring a non-classified coupe design into the Morgan line-up. And do not let those classic lines fool you as this roadworthy rocket is built to move.
Spinning the rear wheels of the Morgan AeroMax is a BMW 4.6 liter V8 that pounds out 367-hp. That is enough power to propel the lightweight body of ash wood and aluminum from zero-to-62 in 4.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 170 mph. However, with an eye toward the environment, possibly from their work on the hybrid based LifeCar Concept, Morgan has been able to restrict the toxic emissions of the AeroMax to 267 g/km. While those are not PZEV numbers they outshine most any other sportscar with the same performance numbers.
Morgan has scheduled a production run of 100 of the split rear-window coupes and to show their is a loyal Morgan following all AeroMax vehicles have been spoken for. They are however building a secondary list of potential buyers in case anyone of the 100 buyers with money down backs out of their purchase. If you hurry, maybe you can join them on the “could’a had one” list. …Photo Gallery to follow after link…
Posted in Car Tech, Cars, Emissions, Hybrid, Roadster, Videos by will bee · 1 lonesome comment
As American auto manufacturers revive their muscle car days with heavy V8 engines and late 60’s styling there are a few groups across the pond in Europe that are dipping a bit further back into their heritage. Classically styled roadsters like the Wiesmann GT and the Morgan Aero 8 are an expression of a time when the 2-seater ruled. However, a couple of these roadsters are not just reworking their classic lines but also the power that moves them. The Imperia GP Hybrid is doing just that.
The Imperia GP is the revival of a Belgian brand roadster that has been updated and married to a gasoline hybrid engine. The blend starts with a 2.0 liter V4 engine that produces 176-hp. The gasoline engine is then mounted to the hybrid engine that does have the ability to run on all EV mode, thus allowing the gasoline engine to recharge the batteries. The Imperia GP is also a plug-in hybrid that can be fully recharged in 4 hours.
The Imperia GP at heart is still a sportscar and in all EV mode it has the capacity to reach 0-to-100 km (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds. While in regular driving mode with the gasoline engine the Imperia GP reaches that same speed in 7.1 seconds. Ofcourse, speed is not everything (*wink wink). The V4 gasoline engine of the Imperia GP produces a mere 87g/km of CO2, while obviously producing zero emissions during all EV mode.
…Video and Photo Gallery to follow…
Posted in Auto Show, Car Tech, Concept Cars, Emissions, Luxury Cars, Morgan, Roadster by will bee · 1 lonesome comment
What might be the oldest roadster builder in the world is looking to tackle the greatest hurdle existing today in the auto industry. But they are not only looking to prove it can be done. They want to show that a car producing zero emissions can still give rise to an exciting auto that is a thrill to drive.
The Morgan LifeCar is a fuel cell hybrid sportscar that is getting ready to be presented at the Geneva Auto Show. The design of the car is based off of Morgan’s more modern roadster the Aero 8, but the whir beneath the bonnet is all new. In partnership with Morgan to make the LifeCar Concept possible are QinetiQ, OSCar and Oxford University.
The two more prevelant features of the Morgan LifeCar Concept are the ultra light weight chassis of the car and the hybridization built in. The propulsion system is based around a smaller hydrogen fuel cell that uses air that is pulled from around the car to be mixed and converted into electricity. Ultra light capacitors are designed to capture and store the excess electricity from the main unit and from the regenerative braking system, which will be used for acceleration.
The light weight chassis that houses the fuel cell hybrid system and the cars passengers is a key component in the LifeCar Concept. It allows for the use of less energy in acceleration and permits for he use of a smaller fuel cell. Combined they expect the Hybrid system and minimized weight of the car to reach a driving range of 200 miles. That is 200 miles of excited driving. Gallery of Photos to follow
Posted in Auto Show, Cars, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
The Yes! Roadster 3.2 greeted the media on Wednesday as they perused the floor of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. The Yes! Roadsters sitting there in silver or orange are immediate standouts with their gull-wing styled doors. While few patrons of the auto show may remember the 1.8 version of this roadster from a few years ago, the version 3.2 will be looking to jar some enthusiasm from the unfamiliar. Do not feel discouraged by the version numbers though and think for a second that you missed out on the ones in-between 1.8 and 3.2.
The version number for the Yes! Roadster 3.2 is based upon the engine as it is propelled along the road by a 3.2 4-valve V6. The base version (yes, there are faster ones) accelerates from zero to sixty at 4.9 seconds with 255-hp helping it along the way. But for those where 255-hp on a 1-ton car is just not enough there is a turbo-charged version of the car that comes with 355-hp and a sub-4 second zero to sixty time that might be just what you are looking for. And if that is still not enough to push your eye balls back in their sockets you can move up to the 415-hp Roadster, but we would suggest opting for the 4-point safety belt harnesses out of the additional options package.
Press Release and a Gallery of Photos after the Link
Posted in Cars, Luxury Cars, Movie Cars, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
Many movie goers will have another first when they go to the Wachowski Brothers adaptation of Speed Racer on the big screen. For many it will be their first glimpse of the Faralli & Mazzanti Antas V8 GT. The coach built car was introduced in 2006 in Monaco, but has gleemed quietly in mild obscurity until this time. So we will have to see how a taste of the limelight effects the Antas.
The F&M Antas V8 GT takes from the classic roadster/coupe designs of the Roaring 30’s in ways much like the Wiesmann GT and the Morgan Aero 8 (which also draws inspiration from the Morgan line of roadsters). After studying the Antas V8 GT many angles it is difficult to get a bead on and its many lines make it hard to draw a conclusion about whether we like it or not.
Being a fan of the classic roadster style the first impression of the F&M Antas V8 GT is a “yes, I think I like it.” However, then you scan over such things as the rear wing, the various and obscure window designs, and the molding space required to allow for the two rear seats inside. In some ways the Antas V8 can be a tough blue pill to swallow.
Full Gallery following the Link
Posted in BMW, Concept Cars, Design, Roadster by will bee · 1 lonesome comment
As BMW announced that it was looking for a marketable automotive name to expand their brand total to four there is some speculation out there that the British Triumph just may be that brand. BMW acquired the automotive brand in 1994 when the bought MG Rover. With the retro movement still a trend in the auto market and after the Mini Coopers success for BMW it could be a logical conclusion that the Triumph would make a good choice. However, stepping into the speculation business is a risky proposition.
Posted in Auto Show, BMW, Design, Luxury Cars, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
The Weismann GT already has the class that someone would want in a unique, luxury roadster. The throwback grill and molded fenders give the car an elegance of old with the mechanics and performance of new. Resonating under the bonnet of the GT is a BMW 4.8 liter engine that accelerates the light weight car to sixty in 4.6 seconds. The stylish roadster has been around for 2 years now without any alterations. So now seems as good a time as any to give the Weismann GT some boost.
The word is that some serious consideration toward establishing a separate model of the Weismann GT driven by the BMW V10 engine from their M Class.
Posted in Auto Show, Cars, Design, Luxury Cars, Roadster by will bee · Leave a reply
This years Best of Show at the 2007 Concour d’Elegance at Pebble Beach is the 1935 Duesenberg SJ that was dubbed the “Mormon Meteor” by its original owner. The car was built with special contours and wind resistant properties to achieve the land speed record. Driving the car for the record speed was Ab Jenkins - a Bonneville Salt Flat racer since 16 years-old and at the time of the record Mayor of Salt Lake City. The “Mormon Racer” is a Historic car that has returned again to glory.
Powering the record setting Duesenberg was a 420 cubic inch Duesenberg J engine. It was a dual overhead camshaft engine with four cylinders per head that cranked out 400 horsepower. In 1935 400 horsepower was a staggering number compared to the 85-hp of a Ford Flathead engine.
