Future Cars / Rumors / Renderings
Future Cars / Rumors / Renderings
Young Henry Ford Lookin’ Gangster! 2014 Mustang Widebody + 2015 Mustang Starring in Need For Speed Movie — 20 HQ Photos
I am not sure if you will agree, but, to me: the NFS trailer from summer 2013 made this movie seem like a pretty lackluster effort. Luckily, that no longer seems to be the case. Production values are especially-important to movie-goers. Many of these fans can spot crappy CGI effects from 10,000 miles away. Jump-cuts and sloppy slow-mo? You just lost all M13-34. I only got four seconds into summer’s teaser trailer before an (involuntary) Big Eye-roll. So, among this audience: it is critical to have the action feel, sound and look as authentic as possible. The Ford Mustang is this movie’s …
2014 Skoda Superb Outdoor and VisionC Concept for Geneva Causing Some Angular Euro Style Envy…
Skoda is becoming a real asset for the Volkswagen Group. Bought for a song as the Czech firm was failing in the 1980s — Skoda now commands a quite sizable market share in Europe’s most profitable markets. Skoda’s core selling points have really been popular among anti-fashion consumers. People who (claim to) value a vehicle for its merits, value and durability versus a fleeting style. Skoda is also a surprise, run-away success story in China. The latest cars from Skoda seem to take the next step in the brand’s evolution: a cheaper, more avant-garde ethos than even Audi can manage …
Concept Estate Confirms It! Volvo’s New Design Lead Th. Ingenlath Should Be Sweden’s Man of the Year!
Go Volvo Go! I love an underdog, and have thrown my continued support behind Volvo since the VCC debuted in Frankfurt in September. Sidebar: Did I love Volvo before? Yes, as a brand. But not the cars. Only one year ago — almost exactly — I wrote an op-ed for a defunct media outlet that debated Acura versus Volvo in the battle for the Worst Luxury Brand In America. Scathing barely does that one justice. Seeing the Concept Estate makes me glad that article is not still online, and that the original Word doc is long gone as well. Such …
VIDEO + Renders of 8 Future Hot-Rods From German Special Customs — Which Is Your Favorite?
GSC is broadening their scope. They are now applying their trademark upgrade style to brands beyond the Mercedes-Benz star. The latest future projects from German Special Customs work in a hot-to-trot new Range Rover and even an Aventador-from-Hell called the Estatura GXX. Using the names of brands by GSC is a bit touchy, so GSC has these future mock-ups under simplified working titles. Estatura GXX  McLaren P1 Night Glow by German Special Customs  Which do you like best? My choice is probably the E-Class, but I am open to debate! Hey, if you’re not having fun on the …
Vauxhall Astra Hits 300HP In VXR-topping Extreme Spec — A Production-Ready Front-Drive Z/28?
The latest Astra from Opel in Europe and Vauxhall in England is a really handsome machine. Surprisingly, it pips even the latest Focus on style, even in hum-drum TopGear “Star in a reasonably Priced Car” trim. The LEDs (at night) are far better than anything out of Woking, so far, glowing a bright white around Dunsfold on the rainiest, grayest days of this never-ending winter. The upgrade here adds 30 horsepower, a huge carbon-fiber overhall outside for racing aero, and a very impressive grip setup. I was trying to think of what race series this car seems from — and …
Sing-song Status — Geeeen-ee-vahh Is the Place To Be… 2015 Focus + MINI Clubman Join A-list Cast
As you may note, I am getting really stir crazy in my new digs down in South Carolina. Even while I lived in the suburbs for the last six months of my time Chicago from 2005 to 2013 — I am really a pretty urban person. I moved from Wrigleyville to suburbs to be closer to the auto fleet offices. So, I just moved again! To Charleston! What is up with that? My family is here. Car-Revs-Daily.com is way ahead of schedule in terms of the broad launch flowcharts detailed December (post-kickstarter-flop). So. Big changes in my home office …
2014 LeMans Engine Showcase Series — Nissan ZEOD RC a hybrid… with a 400HP 1.5-liter Turbo Triple!
It is no coincidence that the Nissan ZEOD RC’s engine is a 1.5-liter turbo triple. This is for at least three reasons: Â — The 1.5-liter Turbo V6 is Formula One’s new engine size — Halve that engine at the crankshaft, and you have this tall drink of 88-pound engine, making 400 horsepower to supplement the electrics on-board the ZEOD RC. Nissan Motorsport’s guys explain it a bit better here. Â The exciting thing about the LeMans experimental Garage56 program is that there… are almost no constricting rules. In theory, the Porsche 911 GTR R Hybrid from a few years ago …
Top 10 Tips for Track-Day Newcomers — Plus! The Ideal Track ‘n Back Wagon: 186MPH, 550HP Jaguar XFR-S SportBrake
By Special Contributor Chris May. So: you have made the decision to take the plunge in to the world of HPDE (High Performance Driver Education). You have forked over a good chunk of cash and fueled up your 2015 XFR-S Sportbrake JAGUAR for her maiden journey into stardom and instant racing hero status. Before you have dreams of becoming the next Lewis Hamilton or Randy Pobst here are some tips that will hopefully keep you: — out of trouble — hooked on track events like a fish to water. Seriously, where can you drive at the limits or performance, safety, …
Edited for Content: Bentley Changes Tack As World’s Oligarchs Go Into Hiding — 2015 Conti GT Speed Updated and Flying Spur V8 Launched
Oh, you are a comically-inept and hopelessly-corrupt politician? Riding high as some kind of monarchy cousin? News Flash: your constituents are tired of seeing your multiple Bentley’s running others off the road all over the world. Your stage winks last for 15 seconds of awkwardness as the kickback cashier’s check peeks from under your lapel? #Byezees. As Ukraine’s people write the blueprint for taking down these fat-cats — the rest of the world’s hate-regimes best take note: your time is rapidly running out. Very aware of the times, Bentley has updated two of its most important models in hopes of …
Ferrari Goes Turbo! 2015 California T Cabrio Packing 577Lb-Ft of Hissing Boost
Yes! the Scuderia is back on boost. As the F40’s twin-turbocharged V8 still proudly displays to anyone with the balls and cash — Maranello has always loved forced induction. Time to lower the fences – these stallions want to run wild! 2015 Ferrari California T The 458 Speciale also debuted in Sepang this weekend. A few more of the Seabrook stallions.
Latest 28 Photos and 28 Tech Facts About Camaro Z/28 Will Make Your Knees Weak + Z/28.R Preview
Amazing tidbit: the Chevrolet bow-tie on this Z/28 is just a clear outline. Saves weight, helps aero — no doubt. The Camaro Z/28 is setting an immensely high bar for any 2015 Mustang to match. In fact, the full adamantium rigidity and weight-loss program of the Z/28 seems likely to make this 505-horsepower screamer a very brutal BMW M4 track benchmark as well. Chevy just released a fresh batch of mouth-watering facts and images of the Z/28 in white and super duper red. All over gloss black for the street-racer performance mods all around. This is a close match for …
Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Gunning for BMW M5 — High-Res Glory + Geneva Video Teases GT-R-like Engine Howl
The prospect of the Eau Rouge Infiniti Q50 just became much, much more tantalizing. @TheRealAutoblog has discovered a brilliant tidbit of information: this car sounds turbocharged. This is news because no Q50 sedans are currently turbocharged. In fact, I do not think Infiniti has ever implemented turbo engines (so far). Aside from the Q45 and its well-known 278-horsepower V8, the first 1990-92 M30’s were V6-powered, as was 1993-1998 J30… and so on. The Q50 Eau Rouge does not just sound turbocharged. It sounds GT-R turbocharged. The GT-R has a particularly gruff but high-strung appeal to its engine and exhaust harmonies. …
Aston Feeling Dark /Sexy /Moody for 2014! New DB9 Carbon — Huge Ducktail Spoiler — Vanquish Tech
Codename 001 — DB9 Carbon White These new Carbon DB9’s are really the cream of the crop. While still wearing the DB9 tag, this car is almost totally new versus any pre-2012 cars. The Carbon DB9’s 0-62MPH time is quoted below at 4.6-seconds with the latest Speedshift II torque-converter automatic and launch control, which almost ensures a 4.5s or below time for the slightly shorter 60-mph sprint run. That torque converter note is not a jab. A smooth and relaxed auto is an asset for this car in 99% of real-life driving. The beauty of being a small, high-glam …
2015 Ford Mustang GT in Triple Yellow — Mean, Lean and Ready To Brawl in 50 Real-Life Photos
As you may start to notice: I am not a fan of auto show photos. The lighting is usually all wrong, the cars mobbed with other snappers, and the resulting images typically a delete-tastic disaster. Even as a kid roaming Chicago’s McCormick Place every winter, filling my promo bags with three copies of every brochure book — I realized very quickly that taking my own camera was a total waste of effort. The lighting and layout equivalent would be like taking your glossy wedding photos in a thumping 4AM nightclub. I bet you’d look a little rougher than you did …
Best of Awards — 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatch — The Smartest Compact Car in America
The Mazda3 is an amazing, incredible achievement. While preparing this article, I could not help being stunned by these tasteful, unique and attractive designs inside and out. Both the 5-door and the brand-new four-door sedan are extremely good-looking and sophisticated cars from all angles. I thought to myself — is this the thinking man’s BMW or VW Golf? As I moved further into the specs, I realized — this is just a brilliant package up and down the range! Automatic, manual, small engine or big: the Mazda3 just nails every single category or theoretical competitor I can think to name. …
All-New 2015 Audi TT Set for Geneva Debut — Design Sketches Show Evolutionary Approach + Butch Stance
The latest Audi concepts are a bit dazzling — but often for all the wrong reasons. But even while the Sport Quattro loses appeal on its exterior, the interiors of this next-gen set of Audi sports cars might be the real news. A totally clean-sheet layout revamp brings an ultra-low and minimal front dashboard that is simply divine. Allroad Shooting Brake – 2014 Concept Interior: CES 2014 – SQ Concept Interior Will the TT be able to proudly join the Audi sports car family in this generation? Despite is alloy-intensive construction in the current generation of TT and TTS …
Corvette Museum — The Racecars! 58 High-Res Photos — Plus NCM Motorsports Park A High-Speed Dream
There are more than a few hundred stop-and-stare Chevrolets at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Â But isn’t the NCM all closed up following a natural disaster the other week? No sir. The museum itself consists of six or seven distinct buildings, 90% of which are still open to the public. Every day, all year long. Business as usual for this all-star local attraction. This is a big summer for NCM already: the 20th anniversary celebrations fill the summer calendar here. This article focuses on two things: — introducing the soon-completed NCM Motorsports park directly across the …
2014 Aston-Martin N430 Vantage — Specs and Five Liveries Detailed in 150+ Images
Intro/Summary Points: Wow. Aston really wants to sell these cars. Today. The N430 upgrade comes in five flavors that are all very modern, exciting and enticing. The N430 is also visualized and configurable on a this very dashing new website . I personally really admire the volume and quality of new images, which are far more extensive than Aston has typically provided to the press ahead of special edition models. Without these angles, none of my turntables are possible.(The 5MS table above is comprised of 90 images, for example.) Big hat tip for this and the RT from @AstonMartin …
PICKUP TRUCK SURVEY: What Are 350 Lb-Ft and 30+ MPG Worth? Nissan Seeks Input on Future Diesel Frontier
Survey Link: www.tinyurl.com/nissanfrontiersurvey The Nissan Frontier Diesel was an exciting surprise for a smash-hit Chicago auto show this year. This is an exciting discovery from the photos below: The Boost Gauge Goes Up To 35 PSI! That is a lot of boost. My Subaru Legacy GT’s OEM turbo maxed out at 12.2 PSI. Okay, but what about the WRX STI? Only 15 PSI. Second exciting photo realization? If a Diesel Frontier is in the pipeline with this Xterra roof rack, could the diesel also fit in Nissan’s next-gen SUVs? Third one? New rear long-tail spoiler tells me this truck has …
New McLaren 650S Bridges $700,000 Price/Tech Gap Between 12C and P1 — First Orders Arrive Spring 2014
Surprising news from Woking today! It seems the more troubles the F1 team endures, the better the road cars get? No, just kidding. It is not nearly that simple. But while the McLaren F1 team has not won a race championship in too-many years — the supercar range from McLaren is better every day. The 650S surprised me because I thought the next car in line for McLaren was the P11, which is widely believed to be a bit cheaper and more accessible than the 12C. That is not this car. The 650S slots in above the 12C coupe and …
Hottest LA Debuts: Ford Edge Concept Is A Thinly-Disguised Production Model
[Orig Published on: Nov 26, 2013 @ 10:47] Ford cares about your feelings. I recall reading a report a few years ago about Ford’s styling team using a new concept car strategy. The goal of this strategy is to avoid disappointments in the transition from dreamy show car to boring real cars. Limiting this unpleasant feeling is important for car brands, especially if a concept is very well-received. Car mags love to describe in all the gritty details how much the show cars have been watered down in order to make production. It turns out, avoiding this disappointment is really …
AMG Miami Boat Shows Long Dongs — Mercedes-Benz Extenzzzes Vision GranTurismo Ethos to New 50-ft Racing Boat
Whip ’em out! Just kidding. Please do not. There is something inherently phallic about cigarette boats, named for their extreme length but thin berth on the water. These are the vessels you need to outrun any other sea-faring vessel that might give chase. In fact, with the big AMG engines rumbling at peak power levels — this AMG Vision GT boat is likely to outrun most helicopters as well. How would it look in Coast Guard orange? Or air-force white? The U.S. Navy has a new squid-like camo sheath that literally makes anything in water disappear from physical and sonar …
Happy St. Valentine’s Day! BMW Debuts 225i Active Tourer to UK Lovers
This is big news. BMW has been working on smoothly transitioning its lower-range models to a new front-drive setup. Why? It is simply much better for packaging and cost-to-build reasons. Furthermore, buyers who might snap up a BMW at Ford prices might not really mind which wheels take more of the drive energy. Especially if there is extra room in back for strollers, child seats and all. THe UK debut of the 218i, 218d and 225i Active Tourers previews how these cars may ultimately look if they come to America. Will they be soggy-to-drive? No. BMW has proven itself very …
All-New FIA RallyCross Series Looks FUN! Dart, Sonic, Beetle, Fiesta, Fabia, Pug 208GTI and More On-Board
The inaugural WorldRX series is signing up some huge new entries left and right. The participation of Gilles Villeneuve is only the latest in a huge swatch of new players. The charismatic F1 world champ will done a fire suit and helmet before hitting the loud pedal — hard. So what is RallyCross? It is a high-powered racing series that brings much of the car tech from the World Rally Championship, but without that series’ major failing: almost total lack of broadcast entertainment value. By combining loose terrain with paved surfaces, the courses are set to be more like stadium …
Koenigsegg One:1 Still Vmax King, But Under Threat by Huayra, Venom GT, McLaren P1 and LaFerrari
When it comes to hypercars, buyers have a variety of distinct priorities for their new baby. Subjective appeal is the name of the game– even while the power and performance stats from all the big-league hypercars are far into the stratosphere. But are there any universal qualities a hypercar must embody? Yes, I’m glad you asked. A handful of these are below: — extremely violent speed and track pace — exclusivity and image — curb appeal — sex appeal — daily drive-ability via street-legal emissions and safety — performance kudos and/or racing pedigree The Koenigsegg Agera s and Agera R …
~2.9s to 60MPH Lamborghini Huracan — Exclusive Videos, Colorizer and Options — Inside and Out + Tech Specs
Shock! Our DIY Colorizer of the Lamborghini Huracan from December was a bit wilder than the actual palette of colors offered from Lamborghini this time around. Yes, there is Mantis Green and a few yellows and even a Creamsicle orange shade. The 90-second video below is a must-watch drift and burnout feat. It is part of the Hexagon Project web series for the Huracan’s launch — which basically sends two Brits to Italy on a mission to hoon the newest, hottest Lambo in the world. All-new double-clutch box, 3.2-seconds to 62-mph, and a much more pronounced rear torque bias …
Update1 – 2015 Lamborghini Huracan – Exclusive Color Visualizer + Latest Close-up, High-Res Images
[Orig Published on: Dec 25, 2013 @ 20:32] One of the best parts of owning and cherishing a Lamborghini is a custom color and style. The options are almost limitless in terms of color and flamboyance – the Huracan is one of a small group of hypercars that is even cooler when painted a shocking orange, bright green, or Lamborghini yellow. Much as Lamborghini knows flawless custom colors and mods for customer cars – the initial images from the launch last week show a bizarre dark yellow that is popular in Europe at the moment (see recent mega galleries Huracan …
2015 Lincoln MKC ‘Spinning Around’ with Kylie in Nine Sexy Colors
How about this for all-new, extremely fresh car news? The new Lincoln MKC promises huge growth for Lincoln by appealing to far more fashion customers than ever before. ‘Fashion’ is a bit of a code word for TheLaydaies!!! And pretty girls love to spin around to a great Kylie Minogue dance track. So leave this video playing while watching the MKC dance in seven colors. (The base images are huge, multi-angle photo collages available on Lincoln.com as the right-click view background image) Next challenge for me? Somehow syncing the beat of music to the animations. Cue to Tom Burkart scratching …
WOW! 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC Coupe — High-Speed, High-Fashion 2-Door Glam Shuttle
The S-Class Coupe debuted this morning to rapturous praise from thisguy! It looks stunning and will hit showrooms virtually unaltered from the shockingly-attractive S-Class Coupe Concept from Frankfurt. Today may indeed mark the start of the Bentley Continental GT’s long, slow decline. As the market-makers tire of that bloated and understeering hog of a machine: both the Rolls-Royce Wraith and this new S550 4Matic Coupe are eager for their attention. Please enjoy these official images and debut details from Mercedes-Benz ahead of the S550 4Matic Coupe’s arrival to U.S. showrooms in Fall 2014. Exteriors Interiors Official Details below from …
Cool! Honda Vezel Hybrid Previews (Possible) 2015 Civic CUV
Finally, Honda is back! The Vezel looks so good, it could proudly wear a red Type R badge. Honda proved itself in Tokyo this week, with the debut of the charming and on-trend Vezel compact crossover. With a roofline racier than any Honda model to date and a sensible, handsome and refined style: the Vezel will be climbing the U.S. sales charts starting in Spring 2014. The Tokyo debut is a RHD hybrid variant, indicating a name change may even be possible before this little Juke-fighter arrives. CR-V… CR-Z…CR-Y… CR-X? Nothing comes to mind. I like Vezel, and hopefully it …
2015 Ford Mustang GT in Silver – Nearly 50 All-New Images
[Orig Published Dec 10, 2013 @ 9:59] Ford’s debut of the 2015 Mustang GT is still picking up steam. After some personal confusion about Ford’s decision to release only 10 barely-real-life images of the new Mustang in red last week, the good stuff is starting to trickle out from Dearborn about this exciting new pony car. Enjoy these all-new images of the 2015 Mustang GT in Silver. The car is expected to be in dealers nationwide by April. New Silver Images – 2015 Ford Mustang GT 2015 Ford Mustang GT – New Interior Images 2015 Mustang GT in Red …
Update1 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo and Macan S – Interior/Exterior Photos + Performance Specs
[Orig Published Nov 25, 2013 @ 10:47] The Porsche Macan is easily one of the most hotly-anticipated new models of the coming years. Porsche’s engineering and tech wizards have spent almost three years evolving the donor Audi Q5 platform to meet Weissach’s exacting performance requirements. The Q5 is already a rocket-ship with its supercharged (Porsche-designed…) V6 engine configuration – which bodes well for a future Macan Turbo S being the first sub-4-second SUV to 60 MPH. Beastly and rapid as the big Cayenne Turbo, SRT Grand Cherokee, and even the 4.4-second new Range Rover Sport are – none has been …
UK Honda Civic Tourer Touts Inner Beauty — But This Wagon Is Gorgeous vs. Clinically-Depressed U.S. Civic
Long headline alert! Sorry about that. Just pointing out the irony in Honda’s “Inner Beauty” campaign — aimed to highlight the functional and useful interior benefits of a wagon shell for small families. But how good does this Civic wagon actually look!? And why is Honda of Europe able to make cars that are so vastly more interesting than Honda of America? No answers are immediately forthcoming. Built in Swindon, England — the most plausible explanation is that Honda Europe is taking a loss on every single car it can manage to sell. Even with this premium styling, Honda Europe …
Video: 2014 Corvette Stingray IVERS Prototype at Nat’l Corvette Museum is Rare Snapshot of C7 Pre-Production Engineering
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky was a brilliant way to spend a Friday morning last week. This museum is huge and stocked with some of the most unique Corvettes ever made. But more likely — not ever made. America’s Sports Car has undergone seven drastic re-births in its 61-year lifespan. In order to ensure the next-gen Corvette’s success through the years, hundreds (if not thousands) of one-off prototypes and concepts were crafted to evaluate big ideas before series production. The museum charmingly covers the entire Corvette story since 1951 or so when Zora sent his famous letter …
Chicago to Cabo! The Land Route — All-New PRO SERIES from Toyota Racing Dev — High-Speed TRD PRO Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runners
Chicago is feeling some big Toyota love with the all-new TRD Pro Series, a special option pack for 4×4 Tacomas, Tundras and 4Runners that will be available to buy from October 2014. The all-new cars from the Chi-town auto show — which is the most-attended auto show on Earth by foot traffic — are making some huge headlines. Toyota is best known as a serious, responsible and trust-worthy company. But any firm that is as big, as successful or as bank-able as Toyota will always be staffed by hundreds, if not thousands, of guys born and bred on high-power automotive …
2015 Nissan Versa Note SR is Ultra-Chic for Chicago Auto Show — Dark Hipster Style on Low Budget + 40MPG Highway!
So, let’s imagine you are young and trendy and super-cool. You have not hit 37 years old yet, nor added the extra 37 pounds that comes standard with that anniversary (…for most people.) You are cool as F***! Seriously, you guys. How f****** cool are you in those tight dark denims? But what new cars reflect your fashion sense… as well as budget, performance and reliability standards? For brand-new cars with a full factory warranty, the 2015 Versa Note SR is about as cool as it gets. Friends might not mistake its profile for a GT-R or the hot future …
Polestar Brings BTCC 850R Style to America! 2014 Volvo S60 and V60 Wagon — Chicago Debut — 4.7s to 60MPH — Summer Arrival
The Volvo renaissance just hit max boost before squealing all four tires on its full-throttle launch back to greatness. The Volvo racing legend grows for 2014 with the American debut of the S60 and V60 Polestar today in Chicago. As with many blue-sky dream sessions among Volvo R wagon lovers, the enhancements to the S60 and V60 are deceptively simple. Huge boost via giant new turbocharger, new high-capacity boost cooler Styling overhaul outside and in 3.5-inch exhaust drums in back Brembo brakes large enough to stop a Bentley in heat and Ohlins dampers all around The stats are very …
2014 Mazda MX-5 Club Brings New Colors, Dark Wheels, Gloss Black Accents and Power Hardtop Option from $26,000
The next MX-5 is in the home stretch of development in Japan ahead of an expected debut some time in 2014 or early 2015, with deliveries to America set to start shortly afterward. The next MX-5 will spawn an Alfa Romeo Spider twin, with both built to quality standards Fiat could not dream of achieving without Mazda’s Hiroshima-based talent. Development of the MX-5 is the cornerstone of Mazda’s sports car teams these days – and for good reason! The MX-5 is the ultimate track-day thriller: with enough power to feel the rush but also enough playfulness to really test your …
Update1: Spotters Guidebook to 2014 Nissan GT-R Premium from $99k vs. Forthcoming 2015 NISMO Model
Orig Published on: Nov 27, 2013 @ 17:05 So, which new GT-R is which? The below snapshot is very helpful in understanding the new GT-R. The 2014 Nissan GT-R is hugely revised, and arriving in American Nissan stores in the next month or two. Very exciting LED revisions are joined by richer cabin styles, redesigned aerodynamics, far more power, and three distinctly-tuned trim levels: Premium, Black and Track. The 2015 GT-R NISMO arrives in early Summer 2014 to the U.S. – but most of its major improvements are helping the 2014 model to be sharper and comfier at the same …
2015 GMC Yukon XL – Super Bowl Shuffle via Animated Turntables – 9 Color Choices
The 2015 Yukon XL is arriving in the next few weeks at GMC dealers nationwide. Just in time for the Super Bowl! The Yukon’s extra four inches of front legroom will certainly be appreciated by NFL players — even more so because the old Yukon was already a tall-guy favorite. The Yukon XL is offered in nine colors from launch. Detail Images Turntables (Denali Shown) Onyx Black Summit White Quicksilver Metallic Champagne Silver Metallic Iridium Metallic Crystal Red Tintcoat White Diamond Tricoat — Denali Only Bronze Alloy Metallic Midnight Amethyst Metallic
2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 – Red Interior / White Exterior Showcase
The Ghibli has a rich history, with great appreciation here for the interior leathers, high-speed pace and exterior style of the original 71 SS models, in particular. That is, to say nothing of the quite rare Spyder, of which only 20 were produced for sale. It is with this great history and cache that the Ghibli name is reborn. It is pronounced “Ghheee Bhhleeee” or thereabouts. WIth a gelato in one hand and una Bella in the other, the name sounds and feels right. Enjoy these images of the 2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4, and cruise over to ghibli.maserati.com for …
All-New $100k Supercar – 2015 FELINO cB7 Looks Delicate, Actually Feral: 2500Lbs + 525HP 6.2L V8!
This track-attack two-seater might look like a teardrop, but it is ready with explosive V8 power at the flick of a claw. First things first, however: this prototype is wearing composite glass — a testament to the racing pedigree of A.Bessette, the founding gent. That is why the mounting and glare characteristics are like a race car. But if ever in a hard crunch, plexi is always safer. And much lighter. The prototype FELINO has a top-hinged windshield. Founding spirit, I tell you! Alfresco options too… but I digress. FELINO is living the dream. When this FELINO initially came across …
2015 Subaru Legacy Concept Directly Previews Next LGT
Orig Published on: Nov 21, 2013 @ 11:13 Subaru is on a roll. Finally! Factories can barely keep up with demand, sales have logged double-digit gains for the last five years in a row, and the cars are finally reaching their potential. The 2015 WRX and this stunning, upscale 2015 Legacy Concept show huge gains for Subaru in design, technology, and brand image. As love-able as the bug-eye WRX, decades of frumpy Outback wagons with no power, and a tippy Forester are: Subaru is much better known for its amazing chassis and performance layouts. Tech and style (and luxury) have …
LEVORG Says WRX Wagon? Inside Scoop On Subaru’s Success, c/o Porsche’s Famed Creative Agency
Subaru is very busy these days. From a usually-quiet and predicable company, years of continued success are finally bringing out some excitement. Here is some juicy dirt on the marketing behind this success: Perhaps the real kudos (definitely in Japan, at least) is shared with the BRZ project. But regardless: Subaru is awesome. #Love really is the greatest ad slogan, c/o Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis. Many may know that name best from their three decades of legendary work for Porsche Cars North America. When Porsche left for greener pastures, Subaru assigned the firm their whole account without a review. That …
Future Design Talent Showcase: Angelo Granata and His Lancia Delta Integrale Concept
It will take some stunning design ideas to shock Lancia back to fighting form of the 037 and Delta HF days. So here they are. And from an Italian local, no less! Sometimes passion for a brand gets so brittle that designers have no option but to try and DIY it. Angelo Granata‘s Delta Integrale is very promising, because it appears to crack a design riddle that still flummoxes Fiat and Alfa-Romeo. What is the Fiat design issue? Execution. They need Angelo Granata‘s help. Beautiful concepts, hideous production cars. Chopped front overhangs grow and grow like Pinocchio’s nose during crash …
Concept Flashback: 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Is Potential 2015 Paris-Dakar Hybrid?
The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-force concept from the 2012 Los Angeles deserves a fresh look. As part of the annual LA design challenge, the Ener-G truck seemed a bit too whimsical to ever see production. But could times be changing? The Galendewagen must be made until 2017 (I believe) based on a supply agreement with the German government. While keeping production lines open, the luxury G63 AMG is a consistent superstar for the brand. Even if only a few hundred are sold per year – the margins on a $150,000 SUV offer plenty of leverage to keep G-wagon fans happy. So how …
2014 Porsche 911 Targa4 and Targa4S – Roof Animations of 400HP Surf ‘n Turf Supercar
Any readers recall the flip-book from Mitsubishi when launching the 3000GT Spyder in 1995? Such a simple idea: 100 pages of roof in sequence while retracting. But that little red flipbook made the 3000GT Spyder the star of the year’s auto shows. If there were ever a car whose features would benefit from a CarRevsDaily animation, it must be the new 911 Targa. The 911 Targa and Porsche’s 360-degree spinners are perfect inspirations for a modern-day “moving picture” of the Targa’s showpiece. Far more than just the elaborate moonroof of the most recent previous-gen Targa models — this is a …
Future Nissan Maxima Concept — 3.5-in Lower Roof — 2.1-in Wider Stance — Official Debut
Update1: Just updated this article with all the 2015 4DSC concept photos; sans the previous burnt photo error =] i think all the designers use Macs — and all the rest of us use PCs… ? ANYWAY Next Maxima is set to be just 0.3-inches taller than the GT-R. But will a manual box join the fun? With the Z06 hitting eight cogs as a manual, or the GT-R running its precious-metals DCT ….. might the next Maxima get a six-speed manual? I think it would help get people in the doors — even if they ultimately buy the V-spec …
Acura TLX Prototype Is Actually Quite Handsome + New 8-Speed and 9-Speed Transmissions
The 2015 TLX concepts from the Detroit show are packing huge advancements under that newly-stylish profile. In fact, this front or AWD sedan is on the bleeding edge of technology across all Honda and Acura models. How? —Â New eight-speed twin-clutch automatic for the 2.4-liter —Â New nine-speed torque converter auto for the 3.6-liter V6 Certainly raised my eyebrows, in a good way! As does the styling. Despite sharing many family traits with terminal RLX sedan, the TLX prototype is really quite handsome. The once-controversial grille has even evolved into a much more cohesive and attractive shape. Organic flow replaces …
Volvo XC Coupe Concept Looking Ready for Summit County, Colorado!
There are a few must-have items when traveling up from Denver to the main ski resorts of Colorado: – 4wd or lockable AWD – ground clearance encouraged – huge surplus of power for high-grade passing needs – great road-holding and high-speed stability — especially on the descent. The XC Coupe looks ready for all that and more. Time for afternoon cookies at Beaver Creek! The XC will look right at home in the resort’s famous enclosed valet parking… snow or shine. Live Reveal Official Images Galleries
KIA GT4 STINGER Concept — Track Thrills — RWD Layout — 315HP Turbo — Lightweight Aero Shell
This KIA GT4 Stinger Concept headline took many tries to get right! Here are the key details: – Superlightweight and low proportions – Rear-drive, 315-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter – Sleek shape with black-frame glasshouse and very sexy nose – Concept. – Subaru BR-Z dynamics we all want – But far more speed: 115 extra horsepower versus 2.0-liter atmospheric boxer in BR-Z I like the styling from most angles, and think it will be extremely cool in black. THe rear end seems a bit too streamlined for my tastes, but does have a big hatchback cargo area versus the BRZ’s tiny, tiny …
Toyota CALTY Design Teams – Then with 1978 Celica and Now with 2014 FT1 Concept
I was going to add these charming images from Toyota to the FT1 article from earlier today – but decided to feature this talented team in a stand-alone article. The below image shows the CALTY team with one of their first full projects, the hugely-successful 1978 Celica. This Celica eventually became the Celica Supra, and then the Supra we all know and love. The Celica was a surprise global hit outside its core US market, providing Toyota the platform to affordable high-performance sports cars. The 2000GT, for all its brilliant alloy panels and optional automatic gearbox – was …
Surprise! Drop-Dead Sexy Toyota FT-1 Supra Joins Greatest Car Show on Earth
When any Toyota bumps the Porsche 911 Targa down a notch in my cue, you know it must be something amazing. The new Supra. This concept is tagged the FT-1, and billed as the ultimate two-seat racing coupe. The FT1 is simply breathtaking. Wow. All those renderings look like absolute childs play compared with the final vision from Toyota. Huge swooping panels almost recall the TVR Tuscan in their flowing symmetry. A ducktail forms part of a thin top trunk outline in a gorgeous way that also helps aero. An active spoiler is featured as well. The …
2015 Z06 – Official Debut in 40 Super High Resolution Images + Tech Specs: 8-sp Manual or Optional Auto
Holy NAIAS, Batman – look at the production 2015 Corvette Z06! Last week, we highlighted a number of details from the Gran Turismo 6 Corvette concept that seemed to show the way forward for the Z06. The best part for me was that the GT6 concept sat in the PlayStation section of CES, with barely a second glance given to it by passers-by. The GT6 concept now appears to have been a “work in progress” — because the real-life Z06 is far more hardcore in almost every way. One fantasy element has made it to the Z06 …
Cadillac ATS 2.0T Looks Beautiful in Latest Night Photos in Bonn, Germany
There is news rumbling about the future of the Cadillac ATS – and all signs point to huge, twin-turbo power and perhaps even a coupe shell. The name so far is as expected: ATS Coupe. Other rumors? New Caddy crest emblem – without the wreath. This will be one seriously fast machine with 400-plus horsepower. Rear-drive and manual transmission seem like the initial configuration preference for the V series Cadillac, but AWD and a snappy new auto could be in the cards as well. Worth noting is that the ATS is a bit smaller and nimbler than the new RC …
Audi Sport Quattro – Design Analysis – Deconstructed Headlight Styles
Audi’s latest concepts might feel familiar, but actually bring a slew of new ideas to maintain sales momentum as the firm enters more new segments than ever. New shapes of crossovers and hybrids are critical to maintain momentum for the company, which achieved a best-ever 1,455,123 units sold globally in calendar 2013. Also impressive: Audi is active in 100-plus countries – which is about double the footprint of most luxury brands. While many tout the success of Lexus and other luxury new-comers, Audi is really the comeback king. There were years in the late 1980s when Audi of America could …
Audi Allroad Shooting Brake Concept – Previewing Both 2015 A4 and Q2 e-tron?
This off-road hybrid concept is a promising step from Audi, and likely a bold preview of the 2015 A4’s styling updates. This two-door crossover shape could also wear a variety of other badges: Q2 e-tron seems like the most accurate. The official name of this NAIAS Detroit concept from Audi is the Allroad Shooting Brake. The powertrain and interior are the most innovative aspects of this new Audi Allroad style, with the full details from Audi below ahead of the car’s debut tomorrow in Detroit. Exterior Interior Crossover in a compact package: The Audi allroad shooting brake show …
140MPH+ Chevy Tahoe PPV Coming as 2015 Model With Optional 4×4 and Far Better Cabin
The funny thing about the Chevy Tahoe police cruiser’s tenure on the market is that it only recently started to offer four-wheel-drive to these LEO customers. Fuel economy and high-speed pace were the initial reasons – with even the 2012 5.3-liter Tahoe PPVs able to hit 139 mph. Four-wheel-drive is a mandatory feature this time of year in many places. Example? My hometown typically runs Tahoe PPV models and Crown Victoria Fords – but during the recent blizzard, switched to their personal 4×4’s to keep the peace. And keep the grip on snow and ice. Rear-drive Tahoe’s are very stable, …
2015 Volvo XC90 Closely Previewed by New XC Coupe Concept for Detroit
Volvo is on a roll. After winning the ‘most improved style direction’ award here at CarRevsDaily last month for the Frankfurt VCC two-door, the Swedish team’s new style looks even closer to reality on the latest XC concept. The redesigned Volvo XC90 is so important to the future well-being of Sweden’s auto industry: it is hard to overstate how much is riding on the shoulders of this summer’s newest seven-seat crossover. The XC90 is currently a fantastic truck with good dynamics, a great ride, and everything from four-cylinder diesels to the smooth Yamaha V8 engine. The XC Coupe is obviously …
Honda Jade and Concept M from Shanghai 2013 Likely No-Shows in Detroit
The media side of the global auto industry is getting confusing. Any business needs to create structure in their marketing. Marketing, in this sense, is everything from concept cars to TV ads to post-sale warranty/service needs. This is often handled by region, especially for the semi-autonomous groups in the American market – the most valuable in terms of sales by a huge margin. But this segmentation strategy does not always work in a new age of digital media. Not only are international auto magazines available instantly via iPad editions, but they are far more affordable that way as well. Not …
Low-Volume Specials – Buick Regal Country Tourer Could Be Yours… At A Price
When a long-term product plan from GM was released a few years ago by a disgruntled employee to a German newspaper, the revelations about what exactly lay ahead for Opel were quickly silenced. Luckily, it was not the Guardian who received the documents. The one thing I recall before all the news … went away … was the Country Tourer name for a potential Vectra replacement wagon. Â An all-road-style option for families who not only need AWD, but need some extra ground clearance and gravel resistance on the lower panels as well. These are not some kind of “country” …
Production-Spec 2015 GLA45 AMG Looking Gorgeous Without Concept Stickers
When it rains, it pours! And when it pours, rear-drive sports cars must crawl along the highway at anything above 70 or 80 mph. Sure, you can go fast in the rain in your high-power, rear-drive machine — but any wheel slip can become a serious problem. That is the key reason the new generations of AMG Mercedes-Benz models will be optimized for rear-drive hoon-ability, but standard 4Matic AWD for high-speed, all-weather confidence. The GLA45 is the perfect example of this new breed of sub-Macan-Turbo sporting models from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The X1 M Sport xDrive35i is about as …
2014 Corvette C7.R and Z06 – Stingray Gran Turismo Concept Offers Best Clues Yet
The Corvette C7.R and the new Z06 will make their debuts together next week at the first press conference of the first press day in Detroit. 2014 C7.R Monterey Rollout – (Pebble Beach, August 2013) Chevy is in just about the finest pre-show condition it has been in years: the model lines are almost all fresh or forthcoming, and the new arrivals to Chevy dealers in calendar year 2014 mean this Detroit show needs to do its job. Forecast calls for massive press blitz for all the latest new models from General Motors: – 2015 Suburban/Yukon/Escalade – 2015 Silverado and …
Transformers 4 Truck Called Hound is Oshkosh Defense M1157 A1P2
The GMC TopKick had a really good run with the Transformers franchise, surviving through the end of the third movie on the strength of Ironhide’s close friendship with our hero. But General Motors quietly exited the C4500 – C8500 truck classes altogether in 2009. Most of the larger trucks were absolutely ancient. Imagine a Frito-Lay extra-long delivery truck, and you’ve got it. The TopKick was a strong option for the films: huge, versatile with a dump-truck rear end, and looked great. Ironhide outlived the Hummer H2 BayWatch car and Jazz, the oft-mocked Pontiac Solstice character with a somewhat racist accent. …
Future VW SuperBeetle Options May Finally Entice More Dudes
A fifth and sixth Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily today? The 2012 SEMA SuperBeetle Concept, and the 2013 Beetle R Concept. 2012 SEMA – VWVortex.com SuperBeetle Concept 2013 Beetle R Concept A seventh Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily? Yes, the seventh is an extremely tough Dude Beetle, if there ever was one:the ABT Sportsline. 2011-2014 Volkswagen Beetle by ABT Sportsline – Exterior Upgrades — Â ABT BEETLE: FRONT SPOILER — Â ABT BEETLE: HEADLIGHT COVERS — Â ABT BEETLE: REAR SKIRT SET — Â ABT BEETLE: LICENCE PLATE INSERT — Â ABT BEETLE: TAIL LIGHT COVERS — Â ABT BEETLE: VALVE CAPS — Â ABT BEETLE: SUSPENSION SPRINGS Â …
2015 VW e-Golf a Snooze, But its EV Tech Also Powers Very Cute e-Up Lite and EcoMotion Van
The Volkswagen e-Golf, e-Up! and Up Lite will join the Detroit auto show festivities, with the Golf BEV debuting its all-new battery and powertrains in 2015 production form. Featured in the cover image is the Frankfurt e-Co-Motion van concept. The newest is the Up! Lite, which appears to bring some of the cool tech and style of the XL1 exotic prototype. I called it the e-Up! Lite before by mistake, the up!Lite appears to be a PHEV of some kind. The 2015 VW e-Golf is a fully electric vehicle, evolving and refining some of the components previewed under the Blue-e-motion concept …
Audi LeMans R18: Laser Light = Smoke and Mirrors? 2014 e-tron quattro Actually Hiding Big Changes in Back
Guess who really likes winning Le Mans? Everyone! Every single person who has ever competed there cherishes a single win with the passion of an Oscar winner. But guess who has really, really developed a taste for winning Le Mans, after more than a decade as the front-runner? The serious gentlemen over at Audi Motorsport. Is this an odd introduction for an article about new laser lighting shown at CES this week? The new “laser” lighting joins a long list of other Audi names for its headlights, including Matrix and Swarm. AUTO LIGHTING TECH – 2014 and Beyond But why …
Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo
Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …
Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo
Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …
Caterham Coming to America! 620R to be sold by Superformance (Without An Engine…)
Caterham just announced a U.S. distribution deal for its track-only car line via Irvine-based Superformance. Superformance is best known for its amazing Le Mans GT40 re-creations and other exotic sports cars, so the Caterham deal seems like a good fit to add some lightweight track racers to its customer brochures. The sales of rolling Seven 480 and 620R models will not include an engine, but Superformance retailers or their teams are likely to complete most assemblies for customers after the car is sold and titled. How great would a small-block Chevy V8 be in this tiny machine! A Shelby Cobra …
Best of Awards – 2013 Cadillac Elmiraj – Most Provocative Concept
What else to say about the Elmiraj? It speaks for itself. In my opinion, the real achievement of the Elmiraj is how faithfully its wild design is brought to the road. Anything can be rendered on CAD-CAM screens, but rarely does the finished product surpass the original idea. In this case, Cadillac has aced the test. Full house. Even if this exact car does not appear, the techniques on the interior, and especially the exterior style, surely sees the road right now as the stunning Cadillac CTS4. Interior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Exterior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj …
180MPH? Custom Wagons – BBM 330d Touring and BMW M135i by Tuningwerk
The M135i two-door will soon be coming to America as the 228i and 235i, but this body style is really the epitome of fast wagon stance. A power jump is only half the results achieved here by both fast wagons from the local speed shops: Tuningwerk and BBM. The BBM 330d Touring shows what can be done with careful ECU boost enhancement – but this car also wears a one-off reflective matte red exterior that is very unique. BMW M135i by Tuningwerk BMW 330d Touring by BBM
New Maxima 4DSC Heading to Detroit as GT-R-Style Concept Sports Sedan
Exciting news from Nissan today: the announcement of a new Concept Sports Sedan for the Detroit NAIAS from mid-January. The teaser concept is widely believed to be the next Maxima. The dark red/auburn colored image is the only official teaser from the Nissan – all others are speculative renders exclusive to CarRevsDaily.com Nissan has avoided a nameplate for the concept car, but this shape is likely to be in stores by Summer 2014 – perhaps even with a NISMO model alongside at launch. Nissan does reference the recent IDx and IDx NISMO concepts in this teaser release – which shows …
G-Class Widebody Options by GSC Look Ready For Terminator 5
As if the G-Class needed any more curb appeal. This is an amazing truck – capable of far more than its most-photographed duties: grocery shopping in Brentwood. German Special Customs agrees – and has a variety of wide-body conversions of the G-Class in their fleet. Yes, taste is subjective —Â but all are sure to scare just about anyone out of the fast lane in front of you. Gold – Mercedes-Benz G-Class by GSC Silver – Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG by GSC Red – Mercedes-Benz G-Class by GSC
Most Popular Articles Ranked – Honda Vezel Hybrid vs New Unimog vs Lykan HyperSport in Photo Finish
A quick status update on CarRevsDaily’s launch so far, from November 1 through yesterday. Traffic Stats: — 481,000 pageviews — 91,000 Visits Content Stats: — Articles published: 235 — Media/Image Items Total: 9,781 — Photos per post average: 41.6 It is nearly impossible to know in advance which articles will be the most popular. I would not have come close t accurately knowing which topics are most popular — without website analytics. So here it is! A mini ranker of CarRevsDaily.com’s most popular content, so far…: # Results 1 – 20 of 749 – DATE RANGE 11-01-2013 – 12-26-2013 # …
Racing Evolution 1968-1970 – Alfa Romeo T33 Mugello, T33/2 LeMans + T33/4 Tasman
This is part two of the Alfa Romeo endurance racer showcase. These long-tail machinesdirectly evolved from the original Tipo 33 Periscopo and Stradale prototypes – but made huge changes. Far less glass lowers the center of mass, while aerodynamic ground effects became a critical part of racing. This put an end to the smooth flowing surfaces of the curvy 1967 T33 Stradale and its siblings. The Tipo 33 series diverged in 1969 in anticipation of rule changes in the 1970s that would prefer an open cockpit layout. Yes, for trivia buffs, Le Mans has alternated between open and closed cars …
Exclusive Scion xB and xD Roof-Chop Renderings –> Gangster Look
Here is the fruit of a few hours in PhotoChop. Would such small windows ever offer enough outward vision? Perhaps – with camera assistance and active safety systems. CarRevsDaily.com – Exclusive – Chopped Roof CarRevsDaily.com – Exclusive – Chopped Roof BONUS: this one did not turn out very well, but shows a speculative preview of Kia’s upcoming 2+2 sports car via a chopped and re-imagined Forte Koup. The concept is set to debut at Detroit in January, and promises genuine driver thrills.
Concept Flashback – 2012 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
The Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is still quite miraculous, even more than a year since its initial debut. Widely believed to preview the 2014 Panamera facelift, the Sport Turismo has had an even larger impact on a different model altogether: the Macan. Much of the creamy and smooth surfacing, huge rear arch bulges, and the nose treatment all directly previewed the handsome new Macan S and Macan Turbo models. From the start of the Sport Turismo’s media tour, Porsche insisted that this model could appear as a new body style for the second-gen Panamera. It was hard to believe at …
Update1 – LAMBO Rides Eye of the Storm: All-New HURACAN in 144 Photos, Specs, Colors
It is official! The Lamborghini Gallardo’s replacement debuted this morning with an all-new V10 engine, a 3.2-second sprint to 60 mph, and styling that closely replicates the Aventador. Scissor doors are about the only missing element versus the V12-powered older brother of the Lamborghini range. The Huracan brings huge intake ductwork all over the body sides, promising aero excellence without the use of a large spoiler or other gimmicks. The Huracan’s styling outside is extremely clean and aerodynamically streamlined. In fact, this nose looks so low — it might be able to ace Sweden’s Elk test… by sliding under …
Best of 2013 Awards – Tail-Out, Balls-Out Supercar – $70,000 Lotus Exige S
What a pivot for Lotus Cars in 2013. While still reeling from ownership changes and a variety of management re-alignments, Lotus Cars shines its green and gold flags through any fog. This is a racing company at its core, and the Exige S arrives to American buyers with all the power, prestige and class of true exotic cars. While sharing a vaguely familiar silhouette with the Elise and previous-gen Exige, the looks are very modern and fresh up close. All the race-ready Exige S styling elements really work together with its ultra-low, ultra-wide footprint. Where the previous Exige …
2014 Ford Transit Connect – Hot Wheels Concept Shows Widebody Style, Cool New Nose
The SEMA show is not my favorite. In a bit of an rough mood this morning, and not holding back much. Imagine walking around a normal auto show, like Chicago or Detroit, but instead of perhaps 70 brand displays, there are 70,000. Such is SEMA. You might like a car, never know what it was or where it came from, and never see it again. So many tuners and OEMs descend on the Vegas strip every November — it can be hard to keep track, let alone care. But then there is that one… The 2014 Ford Transit Connect is …
2015 Kia K900 Revealed in RWD V6 and V8 Options, But Looks Dreadful Inside and Out
Kia has been signalling its upmarket intentions for years now, and is really acting on that ambition in a pretty remarkable way. The upcoming flagship Kia K900 is not priced yet, but is set to arrive in spring 2014 across the U.S. with rear-drive and the choice between a 310-horsepower V6 engine or the 5.0-liter V8 from the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec. But what is Kia’s real ambition in the executive limo market? The company is realistic about the challenges in luring conquest sales from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus. The K900 is a long-term vision for the company, asserted with …
MINI Cooper JCW Concept Debuts Brushed-Alloy Paints on Hot New Bod
The all-new MINI John Cooper Works is taking shape! After the recent debut of the all-new 2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S, the hottest member of the MINI clan is closing fast in the rear-view mirror. Â Even as a concept, the huge body revisions are visible from almost every angle versus its 2014 MINI siblings. Up front, the JCW brings nearly double the square footage of air intakes, and a far more menacing lower chin style. Expected to run a turbocharged four-cylinder versus the top Cooper S model’s turbo triple, the JCW will be able to really push the …
Speculative Rendering – 2015 Volkswagen Passat R
Some big changes at Volkswagen of America this week, with executive leadership heads rolling to account for the current VW sales slump and steep down-trend. This is unfortunate, but just a cost of doing business. The previous acting chief doubled sales in 24 months, which is pretty astounding until you realize how low VW of America’s sales actually were. But what is the root cause? They are many and varied – but it comes down to the dated, extremely boring and overpriced US product portfolio. As many of you may know, I like to play with car configurators online. …
What Happened to Caparo? Brilliant T1 Seemingly Doomed from the Start
You remember Caparo. Their breakout T1 model from 2008 was huge news for any car lover. It takes the track-attack ethos of similar English charms like the Lotus 2-Eleven, Ariel Atom and others, then fast-forwards the technology by 100 years. While the legendary 1950s-designed Lotus Seven continues forward with even more new Caterham models for 2014, it seems that the actual future of these race cars is in a rut. A deep rut, followed by a speedbump in the road. Too low to pass over it, the Caparo T1 now appears to be stuck. Here is a mini timeline of …
2015 Toyota Supra Turbo: Hiding in Plain Sight? Evolution + Renderings
Has the upcoming 2015 Toyota Supra Turbo been hiding in plain sight this whole time? In the decade since the last Supra, the speculation has never stopped. The latest buzz indicates Toyota may be bringing a near-production example of the Supra to the Detroit show next month. This is exciting – even if the name starts with FT — Toyota-speak for wild concepts. Over the past few years, dozens of speculative renderings have appeared all across the car guys universe. All of these are hopelessly dated, however, and do not seem like a Future Toyota – to us at least. …
186mph BMW M4 Screams into Focus – Colors, Technical Video + 75 Photos
What to do in a time like this? One of the most exciting cars of 2014 sneaks onto the web, without BMW’s official blessings. The best thing we know is to add value to the news, and cite the source. BimmerBoost.com is sure to have its biggest traffic, ever, this week! WHile the images in all their glory are astounding, there is far more to the M4’s turbocharged howl than just this new yellow paint color. Yellow? It is called Austin Yellow Metallic, in case you wondered, and is a dead ringer for the prismatic paint used on the recent …
New BMW M3 Packing 430HP Through Manual or Dual-Clutch Boxes
BimmerBoost  has uncovered some very exciting news today. The BMW owners site just posted the official 2014 M3 launch images and ordering guide. The early release also includes details on the two-door M4; stay tuned for an upcoming article. For the sedan, BMW chose its most lively blue paint and dark wheels for the press shots. As always, something about a track-honed car with four doors — this M3 looks better than the M4, in my opinion. Enjoy these high-resolution images ahead of the 2014 BMW M3 ahead of its official debut in Detroit next month. Also included below …
New Volvo XC Coupe Concept Previews Stunning 2015 XC90
Volvo is heating up! Literally – warming themselves in the cold winters up north with visions of how pretty the 2015 XC90 needs to be. The Swedish team has developed some scientific assessments of car styling that use heat maps to identify viewer emotions. As the viewer’s eye circles the car, tracking software is able to learn and highlight the areas of the car design they like best. Sounds completely absurd, like something from science fiction? Nope. The Swedes know many things about cold versus hot temperatures. As shown in the below graphics, the Best of 2013 Award-winning Concept Coupe’s …
2015 Ford Mustang GT in Silver – Nearly 50 All-New Images
Ford’s debut of the 2015 Mustang GT is still picking up steam. After some personal confusion about Ford’s decision to release only 10 barely-real-life images of the new Mustang in red last week, the good stuff is starting to trickle out from Dearborn about this exciting new pony car. Enjoy these all-new images of the 2015 Mustang GT in Silver. The car is expected to be in dealers nationwide by April. New Silver Images – 2015 Ford Mustang GT 2015 Ford Mustang GT – New Interior Images 2015 Mustang GT in Red
Hot New Wagons: 2014 Volvo V60 Coming to U.S. with R-Design and Polestar Trims
The Volvo V60 is an exciting new entrant for the Swedish luxury brand. This core Volvo model was initially left off the American price sheets in favor of the much larger V70 and XC70 Cross Country, but Volvo has now come to its senses! What the V60 offers is the mid-size package from the S60 sedan, including all the latest styling updates and tech enhancements inside. The R-Design’s new T6 engine promises about 304 horsepower and a ~5.7-second sprint to 60 mph, while the Polestar could bring up to 375 horsepower for a sub-5-second sprint time. Polestars come with AWD …
Best of 2013 Awards: Most Improved Design/Style – Volvo Concept Coupe
Welcome to the first in a playful series of ‘2013 Awards’ articles about the most significant and influential cars of the past year. What a year for concept cars! After serious austerity at the major European shows in recent years, our favorite luxury brands embraced exotic prototypes once again in 2013. After all, show cars can – and do – work wonders for the best car brands. The list is long, but two of great American icons come to mind. The 1953 Corvette concept led to hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue in the 60 years since then, while …