Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Leave worried, return in style: Gustav evacuee wins Mustang on the way home]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/leave-in-fear-return-in-style-gustav-evacuee-wins-mustang-at-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/leave-in-fear-return-in-style-gustav-evacuee-wins-mustang-at-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/leave-in-fear-return-in-style-gustav-evacuee-wins-mustang-at-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Norris Cadiere and his family were among the thousands who evacuated their New Orleans-area homes ahead of Hurricane Gustav last week. The Cadieres, who waited out the storm in Georgia, decided to stop at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, MS on the way back to their home in Marrero, which is around 10 miles outside New Orleans. Norris was playing the maximum bet on one of the casino's nickel slots when he got lucky, and the slot machine started going berserk. Cadiere thought he had won himself a thousand bucks or so, but he soon learned that, in fact, he had won a $30,000 2008 Mustang convertible (we're assuming it's a GT, given that price). All too often, violent storms like this result in a loss of some kind for those affected by them. In the Cadieres' case, not only did they wind up with a brand new car, but their house escaped the storm unscathed as well. Little did they know that when they took their unplanned (and almost cretainly unwanted) road trip last week, Lady Luck would be riding shotgun the whole time.

[Source: SunHerald.com]

 

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]]>cadieregustavhollywood casinoHollywoodCasinohurricanemustang2008-09-07T18:37:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mazda-kiyora-city-car-concept-mx-5-facelift-head-to-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mazda-kiyora-city-car-concept-mx-5-facelift-head-to-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mazda-kiyora-city-car-concept-mx-5-facelift-head-to-paris/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Mazda Kiyora
Click above for hi-res gallery of the Mazda Kiyora concept

2009 Mazda MX-5Mazda has confirmed its Paris Motor Show lineup, which will be led by the Kiyora concept, a water-themed, Nagare-styled city car built on a new platform that features a "next generation" direct-injected four-banger. No additional details have been relayed at this time, other than it's supposed to be lightweight and efficient, in keeping with Mazda's "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" approach. (As an aside, you should know that it's quite amusing to watch grown adults actually say this stuff with a straight face at press conferences.) Also officially confirmed now is the updated MX-5, complete with the new happy face that hit the web on Wednesday. It's joined by the Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2L diesel and the Mazda2 MZ-CD 1.6L diesel, both of which are also world premieres. As always, we'll be in Paris to bring it to you live next month.

Gallery: Mazda Kiyora Concept


[Source: Mazda]

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]]>breakingmazda kiyoramazda2mazda6MazdaKiyoramx-5mx-5 faceliftMx-5Faceliftmz-cd 1.6Mz-cd1.6mzr-cd 2.2Mzr-cd2.22008-09-04T06:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[Happy (Chery) Eastar!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/happy-chery-eastar/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/happy-chery-eastar/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/happy-chery-eastar/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for Chery Eastar convertible gallery

In case you were jonesing for a dose of weirdness from the Chinese auto industry today, Chery has complied. Behold the Chery Eastar convertible. China Car Times' headline asks, "The thinking man's Bentley?" Perhaps, if said man is doing his thinking after hitting the all-you-can-eat peyote buffet. Note the deftly-removed B-pillar and beautifully integrated extension between the front and rear doors, complete with a gap in the weatherstripping along the sills. Listen, we have no idea if this is some one-off novelty or something that's actually being considered. What we do know is that a Saabish-bodied 4-door luxo-vert with a Lexus-y nose and Mitsubishi Mirage rear end is exactly the kind of thing that makes following the Chinese auto industry so entertaining.

Gallery: Chery Eastar convertible


[Source: China Car Times]

 

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]]>4-door convertible4-doorConvertiblecery-eastarcheryeastarsoft topSoftTop2008-09-02T18:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rumormill: GM kills the Kappa II platform]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/rumormill-gm-kills-the-kappa-ii-platform/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/rumormill-gm-kills-the-kappa-ii-platform/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/rumormill-gm-kills-the-kappa-ii-platform/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The ruthless pruning continues, with GM Inside News reporting that the rear-wheel-drive Kappa II platform has gone to heaven before ever touching this mortal coil. Back in 2004, a vehicle line executive said "The Kappa architecture is a great platform for sporty, driver-oriented applications around the globe." Apparently, not one for which GM could make enough different models to actually earn some money.

Reasons for the sequel platform's demise are allegedly that the first hydra-formed Kappa is just too expensive to fabricate; the cars based on it use expensive, hydra-formed parts; assembly requires inordinate amounts of human labor; and GM didn't make its money back fast enough to justify the investment in a new RWD - read: thirstier - platform.

The current Kappa's suspension and design geometry aren't shared with any other car;, the platform was created to accept one engine, the Ecotec 4-cylinder; and it served under only four varieties of the same car: the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Daewoo G2X and Opel GT. It was a lot to ask such a limited platform to achieve the volume's GM needed with cars on expensive underpinnings that didn't demand expensive prices. And if the rumors are true, then your Solstice GXP could be worth more than you expected, and sooner than you expected.

[Source: GM Inside News]

 

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]]>gmkappakappa iikappa ii platformkappa platformKappaIiKappaIiPlatformKappaPlatformplatformplatformspontiac solsticepontiac solstice gxpPontiacSolsticePontiacSolsticeGxpsaturn skySaturnSkysolstice2008-09-02T08:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ferrari California is easy to drive... you know, for the ladies]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/video-ferrari-california-is-easy-to-drive-you-know-for-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/video-ferrari-california-is-easy-to-drive-you-know-for-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/video-ferrari-california-is-easy-to-drive-you-know-for-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch the video

So far the only video footage we've seen of the new Ferrari California has been either computer animated or sitting still with a giant chin talking. But the fellas over at Autocar magazine in the UK made their way down to Maranello with video cameras in tow for an up-close-and-personal with the newest Prancing Stallion. After the jump you'll find some focus-changing fun angles of the new California, as well as a brief interview with product development director Roberto Corradi, who amusingly informs us that the car was made easier to drive and more softly styled to accommodate female customers. Seriously. Check it out after the jump... it's good for a laugh.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari California is easy to drive... you know, for the ladies

 

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]]>californiaferrariferrari californiaFerrariCaliforniavideo ferrari californiavideo interview ferrariVideoFerrariCaliforniaVideoInterviewFerrari2008-09-01T17:54:00+00:00<![CDATA[Deviants: Roadster, racing versions of McLaren P11 to follow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/deviants-roadster-racing-versions-of-mclaren-p11-to-follow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/deviants-roadster-racing-versions-of-mclaren-p11-to-follow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/deviants-roadster-racing-versions-of-mclaren-p11-to-follow/#commentsFiled under: ,

Although McLaren's next supercar is expected to be very different from the SLR, the company made in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz, one element will carry over: derivatives. It's one thing that the SLR cannot seem to let go of, breeding six different versions so far, and the upcoming P11 supercar is anticipated to breed at least a couple of versions of its own.

Predictably, the first will likely be a convertible. If Frank Stephenson designs the P11 with a drop-top variant in mind from the start, both models should benefit structurally. The second is anticipated to be a racing version, and although the original McLaren F1 begat a highly successful GTR version (and subsequently re-road-ized LM model), the SLR never went racing despite breeding a track-oriented 722 GT version. A racing-spec McLaren P11 (or whatever name it is eventually given) could prove highly successful in a sportscar racing series, however, it would likely be offered as a customer car instead of a factory works team so as not to distract McLaren from its never-ending pursuit of the Formula One championship, which it is leading now but incredibly it has not won since 1999.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>mclarenmclaren derivativesmclaren f2mclaren p11mclaren variantsMclarenDerivativesMclarenF2MclarenP11MclarenVariants2008-09-01T13:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rumormill: Fisker planning four hybrid models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/rumormill-fisker-planning-four-hybrid-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive is going to have its work cut out for it when it comes to meeting its self-imposed deadline of bring the Karma sedan to market by the fourth-quarter of 2009. To complicate matters even further, the automaker is now rumored to be working on three more plug-in hybrids. That would represent a truly serious undertaking for such a small automaker. To ease matters slightly, all four models would use the same basic underpinnings -- including the most important piece of all, the lithium ion battery and its assorted bits. Fisker has recruited Quantum Technologies, a company which has seen success building vehicles for the military, for help in creating the drivetrain for its electric vehicles. Reportedly on the drawing board are a coupe, a convertible and an SUV, all of which should go a long way towards meeting Fisker's goal of selling 15,000 vehicles a year by 2011.

Gallery: Fisker Karma


[Source: Channel 4]

 

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]]>fiskerfisker automotivefisker karmaFiskerAutomotiveFiskerKarmaphevplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridplug-in-hybridsPlug-inHybrid2008-08-29T17:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Audi A7 four-door hard-top cabrio]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rendered-speculation-audi-a7-four-door-hard-top-cabrio/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rendered-speculation-audi-a7-four-door-hard-top-cabrio/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/rendered-speculation-audi-a7-four-door-hard-top-cabrio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The blokes at Car say they've got the scoop on the upcoming Audi A7, including a convertible version depicted in the rendering on the right. Power is rumored to start with six cylinders across the range, with a V10-powered S7 and a twin-turbo V10-motivated RS7. Expect a variety of transmissions to be on offer as well, including manuals, automatics and dual-clutch gearboxes with six or seven speeds, along with the availability of quattro all-wheel-drive.

Sources have suggested that, while Audi will be behind the game in bringing a four-door coupe in the Mercedes CLS mold to market in the first half of 2010, it's got another segment-busting trick up it's sleeve: a full four-door convertible. And according to Car's illustrators, the A7 cabrio will feature a full retractable hard-top. Many have toyed with the idea of a four-door convertible - most recently arch-rival Mercedes with the Ocean Drive concept from Detroit '07 - but Audi may be the ones to actually revive the long-lost segment. Parade detail, here we come.

[Source: Car]

 

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]]>a7audiaudi a7audi a7 cabrioaudi a7 convertibleaudi cabrioaudi cabrioletaudi convertibleAudiA7AudiA7CabrioAudiA7ConvertibleAudiCabrioAudiCabrioletAudiConvertiblecabrioconvertible sedanConvertibleSedanfour-door convertibleFour-doorConvertible2008-08-28T19:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[The heat IS on: Lexus planning IS cabrio, lightweight IS-F]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/the-heat-is-on-lexus-planning-is-cabrio-lightweight-is-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/the-heat-is-on-lexus-planning-is-cabrio-lightweight-is-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/the-heat-is-on-lexus-planning-is-cabrio-lightweight-is-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Lexus IS-F

The higher-ups at Toyota may have decided to axe the replacement for the Lexus SC convertible, but don't get too used to the idea of a world without a wind-in-your-hair Lexus. Word has it they've given the green light to a convertible version of the current IS sedan. Of course, lopping off the doors and roof of a four-door is hardly unheard of, as that's just what Audi did to make the A4 convertible, but while that 'vert is set to be replaced by the A5 cabrio, Lexus is going the opposite direction.

The IS cabrio is tipped to come in 250 and 350 varieties, with Lexus reasoning that there'd be no market for an IS-F convertible. But fret not, as the same reports suggest that a lightweight IS-F sedan is on its way, again going the opposite way of the Germans as BMW just canceled the M3 CSL program. Things are about to get a whole lot busier at the Lexus plants in Tahara and Kyūshū.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Lexus IS F


[Source: AutoTelegraaf via eGMCarTech]

 

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]]>lexuslexus islexus is cabriolexus is convertiblelexus is-flexus is-f lightweightLexusIsLexusIs-fLexusIs-fLightweightLexusIsCabrioLexusIsConvertible2008-08-28T11:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[On the nautical ropes in the Fiat Portofino beach car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/on-the-nautical-ropes-in-the-fiat-portofino-beach-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/on-the-nautical-ropes-in-the-fiat-portofino-beach-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/on-the-nautical-ropes-in-the-fiat-portofino-beach-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Portofino

Fiat took one of its Fiorino vans, chopped off, well, most of it, and dubbed it the Portofino. Supposedly no more than a study for the Caravan Show that starts in Dusseldorf later this week, the golden, buggy-like conveyance is an homage to the 1960s. In a time before Fiat was building $200,000 supercars, coachbuilders were adding open-topped bodies to Fiat chassis like this for fun in the Italian sun.

To stress the beachgoing theme, the Portofino has wood laminate flooring and natural fibers treated with a special waterproofing for the interior surfaces. The car can (optimistically) seat five, and the rear seat folds down for your surfboards and anchors.

Instead of doors, the Portofino has nautical ropes -- which might sound risky, but the 12-foot car only has 75 horsepower, so you shouldn't be getting in too much trouble. Fiat has no plans to make the Portofino, but says it will create a covered version for protection from win and sun. Andiamo, then...

Gallery: Fiat Portofino Concept


[Source: Carscoop]

 

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]]>convertibleconvertiblesfiatfiat fiorinofiat portofinoFiatFiorinoFiatPortofinoportofino2008-08-27T12:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[Doh! All plans for return of MG to U.S. dead]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/doh-all-plans-for-return-of-mg-to-u-s-dead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/doh-all-plans-for-return-of-mg-to-u-s-dead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/doh-all-plans-for-return-of-mg-to-u-s-dead/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Blame gas prices. Blame the housing market. Blame the dollar for being worth much less than it was in 2005. But ultimately, you'll probably need to blame the Chinese for the total lack of MGs being sold in the U.S.

Despite initial plans by MG's new owner, Nanjing Automobile Group Corp., to sell a U.S. version of the TF roadster, the company now says conditions are just wrong here in the States. "The U.S.A. isn't on the short-term radar as an anticipated market for us, but with the right product, it would be good to return there," Gary Hagen, marketing director of NAC MG, says in a story on Austin Rover Online. Of course, with the car also goes any hopes of a U.S. assembly plant in Oklahoma. The final twist of the knife is Hagen killing any hope of the company shipping Chinese-made kits to the U.S. for assembly.

Buck up, MG fans. You've waited 20 years. What's another 20? Right?

[Source: Austin Rover Online via Automotive News]

 

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]]>mg tfmg tf roadsterMgTfMgTfRoadsternanjing automobilenanjing automotiveNanjingAutomobileNanjingAutomotive2008-08-26T17:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ferrari to offer California with manual, HGTC handling pack]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Ferrari California

Some of the more hard-core tifosi have been whining that Ferrari has gone soft with the new California. It's pretty hard to justify that a car able to hit 60 mph in the three-second range is soft, but so be it. The nay-sayers point to the inclusion of a folding hard-top as a sign that Ferrari has grown more concerned with pleasing its poseur clientele than developing genuine performance vehicles. Never mind that the innovative rapid-deployment roof, according to Ferrari, actually weighs 5kg less than an equivalent soft-top and still only takes 14 seconds to raise or lower.

However, Maranello has not finished development of the California and intends to pacify those malcontents with some new features. For starters, Ferrari says that about 10% of its customers still demand a manual transmission, and so they will have one ready for the California by the time it actually goes on sale about half a year from now. Around the same time, Ferrari will also unveil a new HGTC handling package, like those offered for the 612 Scaglietti and the previous 575 M Maranello, to tighten up the California's suspension. A new set of lightweight wheels is also in the works, anticipated to shave some 10-12kg off of the unsprung weight. A 430 Scuderia it is not - that's why Ferrari makes both - but don't mistake the California for a lazy boulevard cruiser.

Gallery: 2009 Ferrari California


[Source: EVO magazine]

 

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]]>californiacalifornia handling packagecalifornia hgtcCaliforniaHandlingPackageCaliforniaHgtcferrariferrari californiaferrari california hgtcferrari f149ferrari hgtcFerrariCaliforniaFerrariCaliforniaHgtcFerrariF149FerrariHgtchgtchgtc handling packageHgtcHandlingPackage2008-08-26T16:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mazda: Next MX-5 will be "radical"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/mazda-next-mx-5-will-be-radical/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/mazda-next-mx-5-will-be-radical/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/mazda-next-mx-5-will-be-radical/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda MX-5

Many of you (and some of us) don't think the current MX-5 went far enough in distancing itself from its cutesy predecessor, but design director Lauren Van den Acker wants to change that for 2012 and give the iconic convertible "more balls" in the process. If you're worried that the amazing handling characteristics of the MX-5 could be in danger, Van den Acker insists that the razor-sharp roadster will keep its core character. Stricter CAFE standards and customers demanding more mpg means that the next MX-5 will also be lighter and more efficient than the current model.

With the next MX-5 still a few years out, no design has been given the green light, but Mazda designers think the more dynamic designs that were shot down for the current-gen car would be a good place to start. A newer, ballsier, more radical MX-5 sounds good to us, as long as the changes don't mess with the cut on a dime handling that we've come to love.

Gallery: Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Hardtop


[Source: Auto Car]

 

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]]>Mazda MX-5MazdaMx-5miatamx-5 redesignMx-5Redesignredesignroadster2008-08-26T10:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Plans for an all-RWD Pontiac shelved?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/plans-for-an-all-rwd-pontiac-shelved/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/plans-for-an-all-rwd-pontiac-shelved/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/plans-for-an-all-rwd-pontiac-shelved/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

A quick glance at Pontiac's (rumored) future product plans reveals just how much fuel prices have affected plans for an all rear-wheel drive lineup. Let's see, we've got the Solstice and the G8, and, um... that's it. Sure, we're expecting the G8 ST soon, but the El Camino-come-lively will never sell enough to keep bean counters happily sliding their abaci beads in their cubicles. The Solstice also plays to a relatively small crowd, so its future could be up in the air, as well.

As for the rest of the brand's lineup, the Grand Am G6 will remain on the same front-wheel drive platform for the foreseeable future as there's just not enough funds to switch it to a rear-wheel-drive platform. Meanwhile, the G5 is tied to the Cobalt and the future Cruze from Chevrolet that uses the FWD Delta platform. The Vibe comes from Toyota and is based on the Corolla's underpinnings. Please, don't get us started on a possible Aveo-based subcompact from GM's "Performance Division". As our esteemed editor says, "So sad, G8 rules." Indeed it does, and it may be the best we'll get from Pontiac for a while.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>pontiacpontiac g8pontiac solsticePontiacG8PontiacSolsticerear wheel driverear-wheel driveRear-wheelDriveRearWheelDriverwdrwd pontiacRwdPontiac2008-08-25T15:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Stillborn: 1989 BMW M5 convertible]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/stillborn-1989-bmw-m5-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/stillborn-1989-bmw-m5-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/stillborn-1989-bmw-m5-convertible/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the '89 BMW M5 cabrio

These days BMW's M division is pretty busy, cranking out all manner of sport-tuned models in every form. You can get an M3 as a coupe, convertible or sedan, the M5 in sedan or wagon form, and the M6 as either a coupe or a convertible, in addition to M versions of the Z4. But back in the late '80s, the selection of M cars was much more limited. Not that the engineers in the sporting division weren't trying, though. Case in point is this M5 cabrio prototype that almost made it into production, but was canceled at the last minute.

Starting with an E34-generation M5 sedan, engineers in Munich chopped off the roof, strengthened the chassis and replaced the four doors with two longer ones. (If you think the idea is entirely absurd, just look at the Audi A4 cabrio and its quattro GmbH-tuned versions.) The resulting M5 convertible prototype was actually scheduled to debut at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show and even priced at £50k for the British market, but fearing that its addition to the BMW line-up would create demand for a conventional 5-series convertible and subsequently harm sales of the existing 3-series cabrio, BMW executives decided to kill the project. Only one prototype of the M5 convertible was made bearing ZS license plates from the BMW Individual program, as you can see in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1989 BMW M5 convertible prototype


[Source: BMWBlog.com]

 

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]]>bmwbmw mbmw m5bmw m5 cabriobmw m5 cabrioletbmw m5 convertibleBmwMBmwM5BmwM5CabrioBmwM5CabrioletBmwM5Convertiblem2008-08-21T19:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport's umbrella roof in action]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

You can't go lopping the top off of a $1.5 million supercar without replacing it with something. Well, you could, but not if you're going to sell it for more than $2 million apiece. That's why when Bugatti unveiled the new Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the automaker made sure to demonstrate not one, but two removable roofs that will be included with the targa hypercar. The first is a transparent polycarbonate hard-top section that can be removed and stowed for open-air driving. But in case the obscenely wealthy driver finds himself caught in an unexpected torrential downpour (or just a drizzle, for that matter), Bugatti has also developed an umbrella-like soft-top that can be deployed in an emergency. Unfortunately, the fabric roof section can't withstand the 252 mph top speed that the polycarbonate solid roof can, limiting speeds to an embarrassing 80 mph.

The deployment of the fabric temporary roof was a little difficult to describe in words and pictures, but fortunately our Latin friends at Autoblog En Espanol have found a video of the roof in action. Follow the jump to check it out.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport


Gallery: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Live Debut


[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport's umbrella roof in action

 

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]]>bugattibugatti veyronbugatti veyron 16.4 grand sportbugatti veyron grand sportbugatti veyron targabugatti videoBugattiVeyronBugattiVeyron16.4GrandSportBugattiVeyronGrandSportBugattiVeyronTargaBugattiVideogrand sportgrand sport videoGrandSportGrandSportVideotargaveyronveyron grand sportveyron videoVeyronGrandSportVeyronVideovideo2008-08-21T12:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Maserati Gran Turismo Spyder]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/spy-shots-maserati-gran-turismo-spyder/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/spy-shots-maserati-gran-turismo-spyder/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/spy-shots-maserati-gran-turismo-spyder/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Never underestimate a car guy on holiday. That's the lesson to be learned by Maserati, which apparently left a Gran Turismo Spyder mule in a lot somewhere in Modena.

An eagle-eyed tourist snapped off a handful of pics showing the two-piece roof and articulating trunk in its earliest stages of development. Expect the Gran Turismo Spyder to make its debut in Paris later this year, with sales beginning in early 2009.

[Source: AutoGespot]

 

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]]>gran turismo spyderGranTurismoSpydermaseratimaserati gran turismo spyderMaseratiGranTurismoSpyderparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShots2008-08-19T17:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[C4 Corvette ZR-1s gather for the coming out of their successors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/c4-corvette-zr-1s-gather-for-the-coming-out-of-their-successors/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/c4-corvette-zr-1s-gather-for-the-coming-out-of-their-successors/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/c4-corvette-zr-1s-gather-for-the-coming-out-of-their-successors/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the DR-1 above for a high-res gallery of the C4 ZR-1

At the coming out party for the new ZR1 Corvette last week at Milford Proving Grounds, General Motors decided to bring out a handful of ZR-1s (note the dash to distinguish it from the new model) from the first go around in the early '90s to remind us all of how far things have progressed in the past 18 years. The original ZR-1 was built from 1990-95 and, as with the new model, its engine was the heart of the car. In the late '80s when the ZR-1 was conceived, GM owned Lotus. The British sports car specialist designed the LT5 V8 specifically for the ZR-1. Aside from sharing bore spacing with the regular small-block, they had nothing else in common. The LT5 was an all-aluminum, dual overhead cam, 32 valve V8. At the time of its introduction, the motor had an output of 375 hp (eventually bumped to 405 hp in the last couple years of production), which was huge for the day, though tame by today's standards.

Unfortunately, the C4 Corvette wasn't a great car to start with. Even with the beefed up sills that were added to to the convertible, the C4 wasn't particularly rigid. The car rode hard and the huge clam-shell hood quivered constantly on anything but glass smooth pavement. While the expensive ZR-1 never sold in huge numbers, it did spawn some interesting derivatives that GM keeps in its Heritage Collection. Among the ones brought to Milford were one of the active suspension prototypes. These used a fully active hydraulic suspension system with no springs, but the hydraulics reportedly consumed upwards of 40 hp. One unique car from the collection is the DR-1 (above). This was the only ZR-1 convertible ever built and was produced for Don Runkle (hence the DR), who at the time was chief engineer at Chevrolet. The other three cars were stock ZR-1s of various vintages.

Check back here at 12:01 AM EST for our First Drive of the new Corvette ZR1.

Gallery: Corvette C4 ZR-1


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

 

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]]>corvette zr-1corvette zr1corvette zr1 picturesCorvetteZr-1CorvetteZr1CorvetteZr1Pictures2008-08-19T14:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Pics Aplenty: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/pics-aplenty-pininfarina-rolls-royce-hyperion/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/pics-aplenty-pininfarina-rolls-royce-hyperion/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/pics-aplenty-pininfarina-rolls-royce-hyperion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Pininfarina RR Hyperion

Spend enough time roaming the streets of Rome and you're likely to encounter a fair share of people who fancy themselves more Catholic than the Pope. No wonder, then, that the Italians have now tried to out-Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce, presenting a one-off drop-top Drophead that endeavors to embody an even greater presence than the Phantom cabrio itself.

The Pininfarina Hyperion was unveiled just this past weekend at Pebble Beach, and our man Drew was on hand to bring you the best shots of the one-off coachbuilt special from the show stand as it was unveiled and from the fairway where it was displayed in all its glory. But just in case you didn't get enough, Pininfarina has released ten more high-res shots of its one-off Roller for your viewing pleasure. Click on the top gallery to view the new factory shots, and on the two galleries after the jump to see the Hyperion in Monterey.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


[Source: Pininfarina]

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]]>coachbuildcustom rolls-royceCustomRolls-roycepebble beachPebbleBeachpininfarinapininfarina hyperionpininfarina rolls-roycePininfarinaHyperionPininfarinaRolls-roycerolls-roycerolls-royce hyperionrolls-royce hyperion pininfarinaRolls-royceHyperionRolls-royceHyperionPininfarina2008-08-19T12:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach celebrates California Spyder's 50th]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-pebble-beach-celebrates-california-spyders-50th/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-pebble-beach-celebrates-california-spyders-50th/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-pebble-beach-celebrates-california-spyders-50th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click image above for high-res gallery of pics of the Ferrari California Spyders

The 250 GT California Spyder is one of Ferrari's most celebrated (and valuable) models, most often remembered by the general public for its starring role in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This year marked the Spyder's 50th anniversary, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance celebrated the occasion by giving the car its very own class. Six variations of the car were produced, all of which were displayed on the 18th fairway including the original prototype and a competition version that raced at both Sebring and Le Mans. Follow the jump for more information on these amazing cars and enjoy the high resolution gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder 50th Anniversary


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach celebrates California Spyder's 50th

 

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]]>ferrari california spiderFerrari California SpyderFerrariCaliforniaSpiderFerrariCaliforniaSpyderpebble beachpebble beach 2008pebble beach concours delegancePebbleBeachPebbleBeach2008PebbleBeachConcoursDelegance2008-08-18T20:02:00+00:00