Auto & Car Blog

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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The 2007 Geneva Auto Show is being touted by the giants like Honda and Toyota to showcase the future hybrid designs. Honda kicked the things off with their Small Hybrid Sports Concept. The SHSC is based on a FWD platform and touts a 4-cylinder engine…

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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, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Audi

click above image to view 5 high-resolution images of the Audi S5
Images of the Audi A5 have been traveling around the internet at light speed since they were discovered some time yesterday, but this afternoon five more images of the high performance S5 model showed up to steal the spotlight. According to the Audi experts at Fourtitude.com, the S5 will likely feature a version of the A5’s 4.2L V8 with FSI, Audi’s Valvelift technology and a corresponding bump in power. Clearly the styling has been tweaked to be more aggressive with a modified front fascia that includes the string of LED daytime running lights that have become trademark ware for these models. A strip of what appears to be polished aluminum now adorns both the center of the front chin spoiler and the bottom of the rear bumper where, out back, it’s flanked by a pair of dual tailpipes. The interior also appears to gain additional silver and carbon fiber accent trim. Will this hotted up A5 have the cajones to take on the BMW M3 Coupe? That remains to be seen, but we’re left a little underwhelmed by the subtle visual modifcations apparent in these pics.

[Source: Fourtitude]

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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: Spy Photos, Wagons/Estates, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen

This isn’t officially official, but hearsay confirmation has the Jetta Wagon (Golf Variant) bowing at the Geneva show. The Jetta Wagon is expected to land in the US later this year, and we hope it’ll drive a surge in wagon interest. We’ve seen a preview of the basic shape in the form of the Skoda Octavia Scout. We think the Jetta/Golf has a smoother, more attractive face, and without the heavy plastic cladding, the car looks much lighter on its feet. We wouldn’t mind the addition of a GLI Wagon to the model range, either. That would make the MkV platform attractive to folks who want a little spice in their ride, but need even more cargo versatility.

Speaking of versatility, a Jetta Wagon is the perfect size for buyers currently opting for soft-roaders like the CR-V or RAV-4, though both of those have grown considerably in their last refresh. We’re not sure where the wagon stigma came from, as some of our favorite cars are wagons (a Volvo Turbo wagon, for example, is a thing to behold), and they’re far more useful and practical than the sedan versions of the same car. We await the arrival of the Jetta wagon and hope that it will appeal to the fuel-economy geeks among us with an available diesel powertrain, as well as lighting the fires of those who like to round corners quickly with a more sprightly version like the GLI. Combining the two would be a nice touch.

[Source: Carscoop]

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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, Geneva Motor Show

click above image to view our entire high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow

The KTM X-Bow is very poorly kept secret. First there were rumors of a track day car being built by bike manufacturer KTM in collaboration with Audi. Then there were wild sketches of an Ariel Atom-like skeleton car. Next we learn that the car has been officially dubbed the X-Bow. Most recently there were official shots of the X-Bow provided by KTM itself. Right before its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, we’ve now come across live shots of the X-Bow in the flesh. Where the Ariel Atom eschews all pretenses of being designed in the traditional sense, the X-Bow appears to at least have a style and presence thanks to the few orange colored body panels. With a curb weight of 1,500 lbs. and an Audi-sourced 2.0L turbo, however, you’ll only catch a glimpse of an orange blur if you ever encounter an X-Bow in person. We’ll stand face to gaping maw with one in Geneva next month and bring back more detailed shots of what we’ve been calling the “apex assasin” round these parts.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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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, Convertibles, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche

Although the primary attraction at Sbarro’s booth in Geneva was the Citroen-based Cruise Crosser, the vehicle that caught our attention was this student-developed Turbo S20 Barchetta concept car. A group of 20 Espera Sbarro design school students pooled their resources, and in cooperation with the French TV show “Turbo,” built this one-off concept in close to three months.

Powered by a 300 HP, 5-liter V8 pulled from a Porsche 928, this mid-engine track car tips the scales at just over 2,500 pounds - not quite a lightweight, but considering the lump behind the driver, a noble feat indeed. The ponies are harnessed by a five-speed manual and power is sent to a set of 11×20 inch OZ Botticelli wheels, wrapped in 335/30/20 Michelin PS2s.

Whether or not the Turbo S20 will make it off the show floor and onto the track remains to be seen, but regardless, it’s a testament to what focused minds can create, with limited funding.

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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: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Renault

Click on the image above to jump to our gallery of 16 high-resolution images

Enthusiasts and consumers may contend that F1 racing provides only negligible benefit to road cars, but automakers evidently think otherwise, as more and more buy into the top-tier motorsport each year. Each has its own way of bringing its racing success to the road: Ferrari makes nearly-unobtainable supercars; McLaren’s even more so. Renault, on the other hand, translates their immense success on the F1 circuit into some of the hottest hatchbacks on the market (even if they’re not currently offered stateside).

Renaultsport launched the Clio F1 Team R27 edition to coincide with the racing team’s launch of the R27, the Formula One single-seater they’ll be fielding in the 2007 season that kicks off in a week. The new hot hatch made its public debut at the Geneva motor show last week. Along with special decals and a “Sirius yellow” finish, Recaro racing buckets, lightweight 17″ anthracite rims and a few other special touches, the Clio R27 gets an upgraded “Cup” suspension. The limited series goes on sale this month, and once it’s been sold out, the Cup suspension will be made available on the “ordinary” Clio Renaultsport.

The Clio R27 follows on the same formula as last year’s Megane Renaulsport F1 Team R26, featuring the same livery and treatment, which was displayed alongside the new Clio R27 and the new F1 car on the Geneva show floor. Check out all the action in our high-resolution image gallery below.

Related posts:

• That’s Special: Renaultsport hatches Clio Renault F1 Team R27
• Revealed: ING Renault F1 R27 and new title sponsor ING Group
• eBay Find of the Day: Fernando Alonso’s Renault
• VIDEO: Renaultsport Clio and R26
• Megane Renaultsport 225 celebrates company’s F1 championship
• Renault R26 F1 car meets the new Clio RenaultSport
• Renault plans diesel for Megane RenaultSport in ‘07

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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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