Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, Chevrolet, UK

The car that Top Gear liked to drive, if not exactly to look at, has a price they definitely won’t want to pay. At an on-the-road price of £109,000, the ZR1 costs nearly £48,000 pounds more than a Z06 in the UK. As if that weren’t problematic enough, that price puts the left-hand-drive-only ZR1 £8,000 past the 911 Turbo and a colossal £55,000 beyond the GT-R Premium Edition. True, that’s still the base GT-R, but Nissan has a whole lot of room to play with when it prices the V-Spec.

True as well, the price of the ZR1 also includes a driver training course and a 3-year / 60,000-mile warranty, which should count for something. Perhaps not £55,000, though. Luckily for Chevrolet UK, it will only have to sell two of them this year, and single digits in the years to come. You can read the full press release after the jump, and then decide if you’d rather have one lump of incredible American metal or a GT-R and a Swiss bank account.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Corvette ZR1 to cost £109,000 in UK

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Filed under: Coupes, Paris Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Special/Limited Editions

We’re already distressed about not being able to buy the Brera in the U.S. Now, Alfa Romeo is giving its Brera the Turismo Internazionale treatment for the Paris Motor Show, and we want it even more. Called, naturally, the Brera TI, the car gets a number of modifications that separate it from the standard coupe: stiffer springs and dampers, 19-inch wheels with 8C-derived rims, red Brembo one-piece front calipers, and TI logos on the front fenders for the outside.

Inside, along with more TI logos, are highly bolstered and top-stitched seats, aluminum console trim or optional carbon fiber, aluminum pedals, perforated leather throughout, and the choice of a leather dash. The car goes on sale later this year with either the 185-bhp 2.2 JTS engine or 3.2-liter V6. You can read the full press release after the jump and check out the hi-res photos below.

[Source: Top Speed]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Alfa Romeo Brera TI

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Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault, Rendered Speculation

Click above for gallery of the 2010 Renault Megan Coupe

Recent snooping at the EU patent office yielded an application revealing the 2010 Renault Megane 3-door Coupe. The images (most likely shot of a clay model) show a much tamer production version when compared to the Renault Megan Coupe concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Sleeker than the 5-door Megane shots leaked a couple weeks ago, the coupe’s C-pillar differs most noticeably as the window glass sweeps to a clean point as it meets the rear hatch. The best guess is that the coupe will see a range of engines from 1.4-liters up to 2.0-liters rated between 100 and 160 hp, depending on the model. Look for it on sale next year, but sadly not on our shores.

[Source: EU Patent Office via Carscoop]

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Filed under: Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchbacks, Citroen

We often wonder why French wine, fashion and architecture make total sense to us, yet French commercials often make us go “Um, ok, all right….” Citroen’s C4 dancing robot first appeared back in 2004 — well before Optimus Prime and crew teamed up with film director Michael Bay — and since then he’s done four more commercials to showcase the car that is “alive with technology.”

With this latest clip, make that “staying alive with technology.” Roaming the streets of New York, he’s kitted out in chrome teeth and a glitter beret, jiving out to the Bee Gees while he performs style checks in any mirrored surface and poses for pictures. We have to admit his dance moves are hot, but Ironhide would probably shoot him if given the chance.

As for his alter ego, the New Look Citroen C4, it gets a grille, curvier hood and headlight treatment to match the C5. In back, transparent crystal taillamps replace the previous units. Inside, Citroen’s latest NaviDrive has a 7-inch translucent screen pre-programmed for all of Europe. Two new engines, developed with BMW, will provide the car with 120 hp or 150 hp. Most intriguing, the car comes with an integrated, scented air freshener — because all that dancing can make a robot sweat. Watch the new commercial for yourself after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Citroen C4 actually a dancing robot

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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, Chevrolet, UK

Let’s not beat around any shrubbery with this: Top Gear magazine has reviewed the Corvette ZR1, and the quotes you need to know are, “The dynamics are better than an Aston DBS…,” and “…[M]ake no mistake. What we have here is one of the truly great supercars.”

Of course, there are caveats: it looks like a Corvette, the interior doesn’t match those of its supercar rivals and the steering could use more feel. The latter quip is why you get other critiques like “…you don’t get the precision of a 599.” To have a UK magazine critique a Corvette against a 599 is probably the opposite of the insult it might appear to be on the surface. But don’t take our word for it, follow the link and read for yourself how the ZR1 has “the performance and the chassis to match an SLR 722.” It’s not a bad way to start the week…

[Source: Top Gear]

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Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedans/Saloons, Volkswagen

Is “four-door coupe” an oxymoron or a clever twist on automotive design rules? That was a popular question among the 50 or so journalists invited to drive Volkswagen’s new CC from Atlanta to Nashville last week.

The seemingly contradictory term was apparently first used to describe the Rover P5 Mark II in 1962, but was revived more recently when Mercedes introduced its CLS in 2004. In both cases the cars’ low rooflines defied conventional saloon styling and needed a unique descriptor for marketing pizazz.

When rumors of the VW CC began to leak out, some speculated the CLS would be its main target. But Volkswagen learned from the disappointing U.S. acceptance of the Phaeton: Luxury buyers pay for brand cache as much as they do for supple leather and high-tech gadgets. This time around, says Brett Scott, VW’s product planning manager, they expect many of their customers to be Camry and Accord shoppers attracted to the CC’s stand-out styling.

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC

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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Euro, Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet

We recently brought you video of the Corvette ZR1 being manhandled around General Motors’ Milford Proving Grounds by our own Sam Abuelsamid. House rules that day made the car a 4-on-the-floor, since invitees weren’t allowed to explore any gear beyond fourth. Car junkies over in Europe, however, recently got a chance to ride in the first pre-production ZR1 on The Continent while it was shaken down and then flogged on the Autobahn before heading to Nardo. If you believe the speedometer, the yellow scorcher runs to 315 kph (195.73 mph) before it ran out of clear highway, not out of speed. Looks like we’ll have to change the phrase from “blue” to “Fast as yellow blazes…” Follow the jump to check out the full video. Thanks for the tip, Thomas!

[Source: Autoblog Netherlands (no relation)]

Continue reading VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 doing 195 mph on the Autobahn

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

When the doors open at the Paris Motor Show next month, Mercedes-Benz will be giving everyone a sneak peek of the new E-Class front-end styling. No, not in the form of the new E-Class itself, which will be unveiled at a later date, but in the ConceptFASCINATION, an attractive shooting brake concept based on the upcoming E-Class Coupe’s architecture and featuring the new E’s front-end styling.

Gone are the round headlamps we’ve become accustomed to. In their place are new “rhomboid” lamps that, on the show car at least, incorporate fiber-optic driving lights. The grille will likely be the same one seen on the new E Coupe, while we’d expect the sedan to have the traditional grille-and-hood-ornament combo instead. Power comes from Mercedes’ new 2.2L, 204-horsepower BlueTEC (with AdBlue) 4-cylinder diesel, which will make its production debut this fall in the Euro-market C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Super Verbose Prime Edition sedan.

The ConceptFASCINATION’s cargo area is covered in wood, and boasts such show-car goodies as a folding glass table that can be pulled rearward, a humidor, a chilled compartment (natch), and storage for binoculars and a camera. A pronounced rear fender arch lends some visual muscle to the whole affair. Hopefully, that’s also a hint at what the inevitable E-Class wagon’s rump is going to look like. As for the new front end, it’s a lot better looking here than spy shots have led us to believe. We’ll have much more next month from Paris. In the meantime, Mercedes’ extensive press release is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION previews new E-Class

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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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While Honda’s corporate message continually stresses safety and fuel economy, today’s introduction of the Accord Coupe Concept emphasized style, attitude and sizzle. Honda product boss John Mendel didn’t need a speech writer to emphasize the Accord’s significance to the company.
“The Accord is the single most important product for Honda,” Mendel said, noting that almost 10 […]

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The Accord is Honda’s best-selling vehicle. Last month it outsold the Civic (22,488 vs. 20,143 units) and to date this year 324,555 units have been sold. The Accord and Accord Coupe are Honda’s bread-and-butter cars, so it is with great interest that we view the sketch above, which is the Honda Accord Coupe Concept that […]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, BMW

While sightings of the upcoming BMW M3 Coupe have been near prolific, glimpses of Bavaria’s bomber in sedan form have been harder to come by. We found one for you back in July, but that mule hardly told us anything about what the M3 Sedan would look like since it was wearing the stock front clip of the 3-Series sedan. As far as we know, the shots we link to above are some of the first of the M3 Sedan showing its production front clip, which appears to be nearly identical to the front fascia we expect to see on the M3 Coupe.

What does this mean? It means the M3 Sedan’s gonna be a hot number, foh sho. The standard 3-Series sedan, while not exactly uggo, is creased and stern looking, much like the mugs of the many business people who’ll buy one. The coupe, however, is long, lean and graceful with a face that could launch a thousand ships. To see that visage on the M3 Sedan is a good thing, along with the 400-hp V8 that will be located directly behind it.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

[Source: M3Post.com]

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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, Sedans/Saloons, Jaguar

click above image to view 66 high-resolution image in our gallery

Jaguar has been pushing its product with the Gorgeous campaign for over a year now, but anyone who thinks that the current S-type can be properly described as such probably needs a new prescription for corrective lenses. To show that it’s aware of the problem, the British automaker rolled out the C-XF concept into Cobo Arena last night as a hint towards what corrective action we can expect when the new XF replaces Jag’s aging entry-level sedan.

The car’s entire shape is drawn around the recessed metal-mesh grille, and perhaps this is the most production-ready aspect of the C-XF’s styling. The striking silhouette follows the current design trend towards making four doors blend into a couple-like rooflines, and is augmented with short front and long rear overhangs (the latter of which tapers dramatically); unfortunately, that probably won’t make it to the production XF. Inside, carbon fiber mixes with poplar - blackened with torches - and copious amounts of machined aluminum to provide a rather gorgeous interior experience. Especially noteworthy are the trio of B&W drivers in the rear parcel shelf, and a rotary shifter residing in place of a conventional lever.

Check out the gallery for 66 shots from the official introduction and the press release can be found after the jump.

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

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Jaguar C-XF concept brings Gorgeous to the four-door crowd

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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: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Maserati

Click on the image above for high-resolution

It’s been a regular Maserati love-in over here these past few days. First we got a teaser sketch of the coupe designed by Pininfarina. Then the Trident marque gave us three images of the stunning new GranTurismo in advance of its Geneva debut. Then we brought you the MC12 XX by Edo Competition. And now Maserati has hit us with the press release for the GranTurismo and an additional profile shot. It must be Christmas time for fans of the house that Alfieri built.

The press release confirms certain details about the stylish new coupe and reveals others. The 4.2-liter V8, derived from the Ferrari-designed engine in the Quattroporte, gets a power spike of 9 horsepower up to 405. It’s driving through a fully automatic gearbox - presumably the new ZF unit recently placed in the Quattroporte - but we’d speculate the paddle-shifted sequential will find its way in their eventually despite the anticipated availability of paddle shifters on the torque-converting auto-box. Weight is distributed, as reported, in an ideal 49/51 rear bias. The styling was penned by Pininfarina’s American wonderboy Jason Castriota, the same guy responsible for the design of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the custom Enzo-based P4/5 one-off.

The GranTurismo’s launch at this year’s Geneva show marks the (approximate) 60th anniversary of the launch of Maserati’s first road car, the original Gran Turismo, which was also designed by Pinin Farina (in an era when words were separated by spaces).

Follow the jump for the press release, or click on the gallery below, where we’ve added the new profile shot seen above.

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading GranTurismo: Maserati releases details

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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: Coupes, Geneva Motor Show, Audi

click above image to view a high-resolution gallery of the Audi A5

Official shots of the Audi A5 have unceremoniously surfaced on the internet ahead of the car’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Autoblog staff is divided on the car’s styling, with half the crew getting a bit bored with Audi’s well-worn design language and the other half impressed with its long elegant lines. Destined to square off with the BMW 3-Series Coupe, the A5 will be armed with a 4.2L V8, six-speed auto and manual transmissions, as well as the corporate DSG gearbox, called the S-tronic in Audi parlance. By the time the A5 arrives however, a new Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe will also be on deck that promises to make the segment’s customers hotly contested.

Check out our gallery of high-resolution images for more views of the new Audi A5.

[Source: Dubspeedracing]

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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: Sports/GTs, Maserati

The Maserati festival just won’t stop here at Autoblog as the news keeps on rolling in about the Trident marque. After dropping the new GranTurismo on us, industry analysts are speculating on what the next steps could be for Maserati.

Earlier reports were based on the identification of two test mules caught in different forms. That led to speculation that Maserati was working on two separate two-door models: a 2+2 GT (the GranTurismo just unveiled), a Spyder variant (based on the GranTurismo) with a cloth roof, and a separate four-seat cabrio with a retractable hard-top.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading What’s next for Maserati?

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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: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Maserati

First there was the Maserati Gran Turismo. Then came the Gran Turismo S. Then came spy shots of a Gran Turismo Spyder. And now we have spy shots of a low-down, one-seater, roll-cage and plexiglass-window equipped Gran Turismo Trophy edition sporting three huge holes in its hood. The Trophy version is said to have 413 hp, which is down from the 440 hp of the S — but it would also be a lot lighter. Claimed to have a new ECU and exhaust, the car gets from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds. As best we can tell from the translation, this naked Gran Turismo Trophy edition is meant to compete with the Porsche GT3, or to compete in a U.S. racing series. While we find those possibilities a little odd, they must have built it to compete with something, and no matter what that something is, we say bring it… Follow the link for more spy shots of the race-ready Maser.

[Source: Autofun via Auto Blog Italy (no relation)]

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