Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Economy, MINI

Click above for a gallery of the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible. Someone slipped MF seven official shots of the Detroit-bound R57 Cooper ragtop along with some additional inside information. Obviously, it’s based on the current chassis and powertrains, so you know what you’re going to get there. Additionally, the JCW package is supposedly going to be available at launch as well.

One of the most obvious visual changes in the new convertible is the use of pop-up roll hoops instead of the fixed units featured on the old car. This, in addition to looking cleaner, should improve rearward visibility with the top down. Speaking of the top being down, the new car includes a cutesy little gimmick called the ‘Always Open” gauge. Located next to the tach housing, it tells the driver the percentage of miles driven with the top open. Look also for new paint and top colors outside, plus a new black chrome interior trim package inside. MotoringFile says we’ll see the car in showrooms come Spring 2009. Look for more info on the new MINI convertible as we get closer to the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, hit up MotoringFile for their full preview report. Thanks to Gabriel for the heads-up.

[Source: MotoringFile]

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Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Lexus

Although we’ve heard the rumors before, and it still seems like a no-brainer, Lexus has remained mum on the introduction of an IS coupe. With its assault on everything held dear to the Bimmer and Merc people, it’s simply a matter of time before Lexus takes aim at the 3-series and C-classes that have remained largely unchallenged in the sports coupe market.

The most recent news rumor comes via Nihon Car, who procured the above scan from the Japanese mag Car-Top. Granted, the photochopped image above is simply wishful thinking (that rear window looks a bit awkward), but a hardtop convertible version of the IS would be right at home in Lexus dealerships and in the garages of BMW and Mercedes refugees. But until we start seeing spy shots, we’ll be taking that grain of salt, thank you very much.

[Source: Nihon Car and Bike]

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Convertibles, Economy, SMART

Smart has announced, yet again, that they’ll be debuting their new fortwo in Detroit next month. Our heart rate remains… unchanged. And word that a cabrio version of DC’s city car is in the works doesn’t come as much of a surprise either.

However, what does escalate our pulse is the possibility of Brabus hotting-up the fortwo with a 110 HP motor that would allow the misshapen jellybean to crest the century mark when given enough tarmac. Throw in some suspension tuning and a few other go-fast bits, and it has the potential having the best ratio of fun per square foot then any other super-sub-compact out there.

Expect the drop top to drop into dealers in the spring of 2007, although there’s no word yet on whether the Brabus-tuned version will make it to North American consumers.

[Source: Autowereld]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Contests, Green, Jeep

click image above to view all the new live shots in our high-resolution photo gallery

Calling it a crossbreed between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, Jeep today took the covers off the Bluetec diesel-powered Trailhawk concept. The Trail Rated off-roader is intended to provide a means for transporting four people off-road, and the three-panel removable glass roof allows the rock-crawling to commence with the open sky above. A chopped roofline and fat fender flares almost give it a low-slung appearance, and the interior shows off some clever touches such as rear-mounted speakers that dismount to provide portable audio.

This concept would probably make more sense if Jeep hadn’t just released the Wrangler Unlimited, a user-friendly way (at least when compared to previous Wranglers) to accomplish the same task.

Check out the new updated gallery with all of today’s live shots.

For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Jeep Trailhawk offers open-air off-roading for four

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Sedans/Saloons, Mercedes Benz

Click the image above for a full-sized gallery.

Mercedes-Benz put on an Icecapades-style show here at Detroit, simultaneously celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the all-wheel-drive Mercedes and of the Detroit auto show, where M-B had shown their first four-driver a century ago. Accompanied by a dogsled team, hockey players and figure skaters, the press conference-on-ice showcased Mercedes’ full range of 48 all-wheel-drive 4MATIC models globally, while simultaneously focusing on the introduction of the BLUETEC clean diesel technology. Lastly, fitting in to neither part of the split 4MATIC/BLUETEC double theme, the red carpet was rolled out for the Ocean Drive concept.

Make the jump for the rest of the story and the press release.

For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes shows Ocean Drive concept…on ice

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes Benz

Chrysler will further tout its connection to Mercedes beginning with the launch of the Sebring convertible. Well, gee, the Mercedes DNA is fairly oozing off the Sebrings, isn’t it? Underwhelmed by the Sebring sedan’s sales performance thus far, Chrysler has decided to move the image for the entire brand upmarket. The idea is to play up the idea of “German Engineering” while also emphasizing that Chrysler is the premium American offering under the DCX tent. Ultimately, the goal is to attract customers from Toyota and Honda, which are also seen as premium-engineered vehicles.

Time will tell how successful they are about passing off the Sebring and other mainstream Chryslers as having any link to Mercedes (LX platform excluded). The “merger of equals” has played out more like Mercedes throwing their dregs over to Chrysler in the form of the R170 platform for the Crossfire and the suspension design under the LX cars. The mainstream Chryslers — the ones that actually need to be popular instead of the halo cars — have nary a lick of Mercedes in ‘em as far as we can tell. Premium in this case must mean content and value for the dollar, which the Chrysler line certainly represents. Then again, how strong is the connection between Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz if one is about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?

[Source: Auto News - sub. req’d]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Audi

The Audi A5 hit parade continues with speculation that a convertible is on the horizon, and since word of the drop-top comes from Audi officials, we think production looks like a pretty safe bet. Audi plans on going with a soft-top setup for the A5, even though VW has experience engineering retractable hard-tops in the form of the Eos. Considering that hard-tops add weight and complexity, that’s a decision we’re alright with.

The Car Connection is also reporting that an RS model is planned for the new A5 range. What this supposed RS5 would come equipped with in the engine department is up for speculation, but the smart money may be on the Lamborghini-sourced 5.2L V10 currently used in the S6.

Audi has already admitted that the A5 line is an integral part of its strategy over the next ten years. We’ll reserve judgement until we get behind the wheel, but we like the choices so far.

[Source: The Car Connection]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Mercedes Benz

We’ve known for a while that Mercedes was hard at work on a drop-top version of the McLaren SLR and now, courtesy of Car and Driver, we get to see it. Clear images they aren’t, but there’s no mistaking that long bonnet and those wide haunches as a lesser Benz.

The spies were able to capture the SLR during a photo shot in the Canary Islands and judging by the pics, there’s little to no change from the standard hardtop version. According to C&D, the roadster will get a cloth roof, rather than a folding hardtop, in an effort to cut down on costs and there’s a possibility that the butterfly doors may need to be nixed.

Regardless, with 617 HP, a 3.7-second sprint to 60 and a top speed of 207 MPH, there’s no doubt that this will be the fastest open air motoring experience available. The only problem we can see is trying to not look like the victim of a blow-dryer accident after a quick run to redline.

The when and where is still up in the air, but don’t expect the SLR roadster to come in below a cool half a million dollars.

[Source: Car and Driver]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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