Paris

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RM Paris 2018 – 2005 Maserati MC12

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The MC12 is such a special hypercar that it rarely hangs out with mere supercars. This example is flawlessly original and expects to collect at least two million Euros when sold by RM Sotheby’s Paris auction in early 2018. The MC12 was not originally intended as a road car at all.  This is what let Maserati get away with such wild wings and bodywork atop a humble Enzo Ferrari basis. MC12 took a different, high-speed aero approach to the longtail design of a midengine exotic, with less drag than the Enzo.  A bit less downforce as well, in theory, and a …

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Update1 – Audi Pulls No Punches With 400HP RS3 Sedan

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It’s no secret that we love the Audi A3 here at this site, in fact we even had the chance to review the A3 for ourselves recently and loved it. But while the S3 is a tempting treat in its own right, it’s always made us wonder what would happen if Audi took it to the next level? The company has answered this all important question by unveiling the next evolution of the A3, the all new RS3. The headline snatching feature of this tiny track terror is what lies under the hood, with the RS3 packing the same 400 …

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2018 Audi Q5 – Paris Debut for Fresh Facelift

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A fairly light facelift here for the Q5 upgrades the design outside and in, plus relocates its production to Mexico for the first time.  Neither the new look nor the new factory is exactly promising, if we’re honest. 2018 Audi Q5 – Paris Debut PRESENTING THE ALL-NEW Q5 – THE FIFTH ELEMENT FOR AUDI AT PARIS 29/09/16   New Q5 sets standards in connectivity, ride comfort, handling dynamics, efficiency and driver assistance All-new version of the best-selling Audi SUV worldwide Up to 90kg lighter than its predecessor Luggage capacity increase of 10 litres Increased interior space, headroom and rear kneeroom One …

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Updated with Live Photos – 2016 Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept

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Second look at the Infiniti QX Sport concept — but the first time outside of its debut in Asia! This stylish number is widely thought to preview an upcoming QX70 replacement.  Or perhaps a pair of them! A long-wheelbase, seven-seat variant of the model is likely. We’re unclear on the basis for this vehicle.  It may be an evolution of the Q50 platform, or could share its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.  If the latter, this would be the second deep partnership between Infiniti and MB — after the just-launched Q30 and QX30 models. 2016 Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept …

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Land Rover Unveils All-New 2018 Discovery

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Following a host of teaser videos and images, Land Rover has formally unveiled the 2017 Land Rover Discovery ahead of its official debut at the Paris Motor Show. Once known for its squarish lines, Land Rover designers decided to take a radical approach with this new Discovery pitching the four corners theme in lieu of a more streamlined look. The front end takes much of its inspiration from the current Range Rover, and even carrys over that model’s headlight design. Meanwhile the rear styling takes inspiration from the smaller Discovery Sport, and features slick LED taillights. The end result is …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1963 Buick Riviera

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This Riviera had to be a very curious sight thrumming around France, and its namesake golden coastline. 1963 Buick Riviera   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1963 Buick Riviera Without Reserve Chassis no. 7J1105700 Engine no. 7J1105700    

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RM Paris 2016 – 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9

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Ahh, the Bora. Giugiaro’s dream wedge was approaching production from various marques by the mid-1970s, and for Maserati, represented a swing for the fences.  Big leagues. Long story short?  It ended badly. But the car?  Still quite a fetching design icon from the past — yet lively today and ready for the future. 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 Chassis no. AM117/49-US 0720 Engine no. 2132 Body no. 300 482 320 bhp, 4,930 cc mid-mounted V-8 engine with four Weber 42 DCNF twin-choke carburettors, five-speed ZF manual transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension with unequal-length …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1997 Ferrari F50

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast. Some very exciting recent additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016….   1997 Ferrari F50   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1997 Ferrari F50 Chassis no. ZFFTA46B000106825 Engine no. 45134 Body no. 210 Gearbox no. 380   520 bhp, 4,698 cc V-12 engine with Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine management, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs and unequal-length wishbones, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast — with some exciting new additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016. To kick off the preview, let’s feature this stunningly original and fabulous Kaiser-Darrin Roadster. Brave and innovative, the car was a massive super-GT car with power and prestige unlike its contemporaries. 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis no. 161-001031 Body no. 161-1031

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Meet Gran Turismo SPORT – FIA-Blessed PlayStation Spinoff Starts Private Alpha in Paris

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Here is a brilliant idea that took two decades to achieve! Another Gran Turismo. One of the most potent profit engines in the PlayStation empire, the exclusive console arrangement has been a golden goose for parent Sony. But the development of the game by Polyphony Digital is so exhaustive that a spin-off game was long thought just a drain on resources. Fans were already waiting rabidly for the mid-decade updates of Gran Turismo since its launch, now up to GT6 as the latest and greatest. What started as a vaguely frontier investment in gaming for Sony in the late 1980s …

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2015 Peugeot FRACTAL Concept – EVCC Explores 3D-Printed Materials

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Updated with Official Details and Photos 9.17.15 Here is a gorgeous bit of unsanctioned, uncaptioned news!  All 25 photos of Peugeot’s upcoming Frankfurt concept car are live a bit early this morning. And they show some sweet, sexy new angles for next-gen Pugs! The Fractal concept is the first near-production application of the blocky, angular and geometric new design ethos seen on the Exalt concept, 2008 DKR racer and a few other concepts recently, including the Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo hypercar. An ultra-wide but very low and lean design, the shape is unlike anything else on the market — and …

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RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone

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Racing specials with a limited number of road cars made for homologation are some of the coolest machines ever made. This Giulietta SS definitely falls into that category, with an extremely limited number ever made — and even fewer surviving in original, near-perfect condition as this car. 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS by Bertone RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 132 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €90.000 – €120.000 Chassis no. AR101.20 00542 Engine no. AR00120 01061 116 bhp, 1,290 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with twin Weber …

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RM Paris 2015 – 1970 Ferrari Dino 246GT L-Series

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After starting life as an afterthought for Ferrari cognoscenti, the Dino really evolved into quite an excellent sports-car. The style and chassis template the 246GT brought to market evolved into the mid-engine supercar Ferrari’s we know and love today. The 458 and all its predecessors, for that matter, have also been the cheapest models in the range. This exceptional 1970 example shows the Dino in a fantastic light. 1970 Ferrari Dino 246GT L-Series RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 167 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT ‘L-Series’ €320.000 – €380.000 Chassis no. 01040 Engine no. 000.5882 195 bhp, 2,418 cc …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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RM Paris 2015 Supercars – 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale in Riveted Green-Apple Bodywork

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  The A3/C Iso Grifo Stradale was such a trend-setting design that it directly inspired the Lamborghini Miura. As one of the lowest front-engine supercars ever built, the A3/C version here was the upgraded Corsa specification with very-rare riveted bodywork. This Stradale variant of the Corsa was the road-legal variant — but still benefitted from all the racing tech of the era to make it fast, stable and reliable at high speeds. 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale RM Auctions 4 February 2015 Lot 157 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Stradale To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €1.000.000 – €1.500.000 …

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RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1969 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta – Euro-Spec Plexiglass Nose

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It is hard to believe that the austere and perennially grumpy Europe we know today was once the largest market for supercars like this 1969 Daytona. This car may have itself marked a tipping point – when American sales of Ferrari and Lamborghini exotics would overtake the Continent for the first time. There was plenty of cash in American buyer hands, but the distribution of exotic imports was extremely limited until the mid-1960s. Unless you lived in Greenwich, CT or Malibu — there simply was no place to buy and service most European supercars. Rapid distribution expansion by Ferrari followed …

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Concept Flashback – 2003 Peugeot Hoggar Was Twin-Engine 4×4 a la 2015 DKR Racer

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Here is a fun look at a dune buggy from Peugeot more than a decade ago. The brand had long ditched its  off-road-race pedigree through the 1990s, and with it any available 4×4 powertrains. The only way they could make this little cabrio a true 4×4 involved some very unique engineering. In what is a strange and exponentially more complex arrangement than a prop shaft, the Hoggar has twin four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. Both mounted transversely – with one on each end. Think of it like the noses of two Peugeot hatchback’s joined by a chromoly chassis in between. It is …

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RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale Directly Influenced F40, 959 and GT-R

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The Lancia 037 is a legend to the core. The rally version and its AWD traction were a benchmark for Audi, Ferrari and Porsche when those firms were designing cars as legendary as the Sport Quattro, F40 and 959. No small praise! The “zero-three-seven” innovated up and down its chassis – with the tech specs below reading like a hypercar must-have list for the 1990s, far after this car was retired from sale for road use. Gas shocks, supercharged four-cylinder engine, ZF box slung out behind the mid-mounted powerplant, dry-sump-lubrication, kevlar-reinforced fiberglass panels, dual fuel tanks, magnesium and titanium components, …

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2016 Kia Sorento SXL Adds Quad-LED Fogs for LA Debut

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Updated 11.25.14   The updated Sorento is likely to arrive in the US market some time in the spring of calendar 2015 as a 2016 model. The 2015 Sorento is already available at dealers, which is why we speculate about the 2016 model year. Kia calls this the third-gen Sorento, as Europe is less concerned with model years than we are in the USA. Overall, the styling update is a big success. It is paired with a new refinement on the road, an all-new cabin, and a much larger third row of seats than before. The design upgrade really helps …

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2016 Fiat 500X Lounge Is Right-Sized City Softroader with 4 Doors!

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Updated 11.17.14 The 500X Cross looks just about *perfect* to answer to wishes of all Fiat dealerships across the US — compact, city-friendly but now a four-door and arguably a bit more handsome than even the original 500. Included below is a mega photo pack of the 500X Cross — which is the off-road guise with chunkier bumpers and gravel-proof plastic sills. Also below are the wheels and trim personalization options, interior photos and UK pricing. No word yet on US pricing or arrival time-frames, but we’d predict around a June 2015 arrival to the US as a 2016 model. …

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2016 Fiat 500X Cross AWD Trim Looking Svelt and Handsome in 75 New Photos

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Updated 11.17.14 The 500X Cross looks just about *perfect* to answer to wishes of all Fiat dealerships across the US — compact, city-friendly but now a four-door and arguably a bit more handsome than even the original 500. Included below is a mega photo pack of the 500X Cross — which is the off-road guise with chunkier bumpers and gravel-proof plastic sills. Also below are the wheels and trim personalization options, interior photos and UK pricing. No word yet on US pricing or arrival time-frames, but we’d predict around a June 2015 arrival to the US as a 2016 model. …

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Paris 2014 Motor Show Girls Mega Gallery!

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Paris was especially lovely this year in the booth babes department! It helps that Paris fashion week is the week prior to the auto show… so many simply stick around for a bit of extra contract work. And their job is indeed work. 10-hour-days. Heels. Smiling at basement-dwelling auto journalists? Not for amateurs! Enjoy. Paris 2014 Motor Show Girls

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Best of Paris 2014 – Citroen Divine DS Concept

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Updated 10.23.14       The DS premium brand spin-off is a HUGE, huge success — sales and margins on the line are better than even Citroen could have imagined five years ago. This gorgeous concept hatchback is relatively practical by French concept standards — it runs a standard THP 1.6-liter turbo engine (with a non-standard 270-horsepower) and a compact four-door hatchback shell. Most logically, this machine would slot in above the DS3 and below the DS5. So will the DS4 be this gorgeous as a production car? Fingers crossed that the nose makes it intact, as well as the …

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New Paris Art Museum from LVMH’s Arnaud Shows Progress in Gehry Design Aesthetic

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Part of the grandeur of the world’s best art museum’s comes not from the collections inside or troved away in the basements – but the designs of the buildings themselves. This latest Parisian masterpiece is called the Fondation Louis Vuitton, named and housing the art collection of Bernard Arnault – the leading man behind LVMH, a luxury powerhouse owning brands far beyond the Louis Vuitton, Moet and Hennessy its name includes. Initially, the space will house the permanent collection of Arnault himself – consisting of thousands of precious artwork so far invisible to the public. Arnault is set to become …

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2015 Land Rover Discover Sport Enters Production With Uniquely British Launch Art and Events

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Giant flowing art installations in red and blue outside a brutal banking building in London? Check. Off-road course made in astroturf on a river barge up and down the Seine in Paris? Check. Collaboration with Virgin Galactic to shuttle passengers from Spaceport America out to their intergalactic spacecraft idling on the runways? Check. All good stuff to launch the Discovery Sport in style and with memorable flair. This seven-seat Discovery Sport is now in production for first UK customers before arriving in the US market in Spring 2015 as a 2016 model. Check out the details on the Nino Mustica …

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Update2 – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster in Paris Debut + Cabin Photos

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UPDATE2       Great to see this car outside the world of digital renderings. In the 4D Paris debut, the nose and low new beltline design really comes to life and is fantastic. This is great news — it looked a little pinched in the preview renderings. Overall, the new aesthetic appears to chop the surfaces anywhere that the previous-gen Miata was rounded. This is especially visible in the new drop-nose design and the hood’s strong leading edge – both new MX-5 design features. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster Paris Debut Autoblog.com snapped some of these fantastic photos at the …

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2014 Peugeot Quartz and DKR Prototype Top Paris Concept Reveals

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  Updated 10.9.14 With Debut Video and 20 New Photos! Well here is an interesting surprise! This PHEV crossover concept leverages some of the sexy looks of the 2008 DKR race truck into a production-friendly shape. A 270-horsepower engine powers the front wheels, while the back wheels are driven by a powerful electric motor. The new plug-in setup even allows the Quartz crossover to have a 31-mile EV range when the batteries are fully charged. 2014 Peugeot 2008 DKR Prototype In terms of style, the defining elements of this cab-backward crossover are the long hood and ultra-low roofline. While not …

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European-Market 2015 Volkswagen Passat Is Luxury Sedan For Contract Killers on a Budget

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Updated 10.9.14 We had some seriously scathing things to say about this new 2015 Passat for European markets when it debuted the other month online. Overall, the new Passat is not nearly as dull and lifeless as it seemed in VW’s initial renderings. In real life, the detail in the new design is pretty fresh up front and in back. A new-to-VW LED style is seen in both the head and taillamps, and is the most successful part of the design. Overall, the wagon is far more appealing in its quest to bring some of the low-roof / long-hood look …

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Update1 – Wow! 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S

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Update1 – Wow! 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S   Photos from Paris confirm it: the new Mitsubishi Outlander looks absolutely fantastic. Hard the believe how much more desirable the new car is than the current Outlander, which is lost in a sea of rounded corners. 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S       PREVIOUS Are you getting pumped for Paris? Kicking off the 2014/2015 auto show season in high-fashion style, the debuts are set to come fast and furious… ahem. Pre-empting the big debuts of the new Infiniti Q80 flagship, Lamborghini SUV and many, many more is the new Mitsubishi …

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Paris Debuts – 2014 Nissan Pulsar NISMO Concept

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Here is a good-looking upgrade to the new Nissan Pulsar hatchback! About the same size as the VW Golf and Ford Focus, the Pulsar complements the smash-hit Qashqai crossover in the Nissan European range. Why go back to the segment? Nissan is following buyer preferences – which in many Euro markets prefer the hatch shape to a small CUV. THe Pulsar adds a DIG-T 190-horsepower engine in its production guise, so this NISMO model is likely to run the 215-horsepower engine from the Juke NISMO RS. The Pulsar NISMO shares much of the Juke NISMO’s cabin, meaning a powertrain sharing …

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2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept Two Makes Paris Debut

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UPDATED 10.4.14 Production concept is more sexy than WTCC car? Oh yes.   2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept Two Paris Debut     PREVIOUS   276 horsepower is now the floor for Honda Type R models – this latest 2.0-liter turbocharged engine shows that Honda is diving in head-first into the world of turbochargers. Which definitely makes sense – Honda is, after all, supplying the McLaren Formula One team with its engines for 2015 and beyond. So you can be sure that the engine lab is glowing red-hot with huge boost! So what will change between now and the …

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2016 Fiat 500X Makes Paris Debut With Optional AWD and 9-Speed Automatic

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Fiat has big plans for the 500X, a four-door off-roader sharing a name and styling themes with the popular 500 line of mini cars. This machine is a logical next move for Fiat as the 500 enters its third year on the US market. Under the skin, the 500X shares major platform and chassis pieces with the upcoming Jeep Renegade mini SUV, and benefits from the Jeep’s AWD and automatic transmission requirements. Both features are relatively critical to the 500X achieving sales volume in the US market when it arrives in Spring 2015 as a 2016 model. Perhaps even more …

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Update1 With 30 New Photos – 2014 Toyota C-HR Concept for Paris Previews Yaris Crossover

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Updated 10.3.14 This crossover concept shows some fascinating ideas for a next generation of small Toyota crossovers. While there are very interesting and sexy ideas in the layered and floating designs of the roof and taillamps, the nose is far less successful. But overall, the detailing in the surface lines makes it all worthwhile. We tinted the color purple just for fun, as shown on the first image below. PREVIOUS It is new Japanese crossover day today! The Toyota C-HR Concept has broken cover ahead of its Paris debut in Paris. This model is thought to be a Yaris-sized crossover, …

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2014 Audi TT Sportback Concept Is a Stylish Escape From Current Audi Styling Funk

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Audi design is in a major funk. After a full 15 years of making BMW and Mercedes seem old and tired and boring, Audi lost the plot some time around 2010. We are not sure what exactly happened, but the magic seemed gone. The cars started to look like cheap copies of earlier Audi ideas – with the current A6 and new TT perhaps exemplifying this major design problem best. Sure, its proportions are cleaner than ever in 2015, and its new lighting is very dapper indeed. But what the heck? It looks like a 1999 model. This is a …

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Updated With 42 New Photos – INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Concept Flagship

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Updated 10.2.14 One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a …

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70 New Photos! 2016 Kia Sorento Debuts in Paris With Jaguar-Baiting Style at Ford Prices

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Updated 9.29.14 with 70 official (Euro-spec) 2016 Sorento photos!   The updated Sorento is likely to arrive in the US market some time in the spring of calendar 2015 as a 2016 model. The 2015 Sorento is already available at dealers, which is why we speculate about the 2016 model year. Kia calls this the third-gen Sorento, as Europe is less concerned with model years than we are in the USA. Overall, the styling update is a big success. It is paired with a new refinement on the road, an all-new cabin, and a much larger third row of seats …

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PARIS DEBUTS – 2016 Volkswagen Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid To Arrive in Europe October 2015

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Okay folks, lets brace ourselves for perhaps three dozen amazing new car reveals in Paris! We will try to focus on whether the car is a concept or a production model – and detail production cars’ arrival timeframes and markets in which it will be sold! To that end, the 2015 VW Passat GTE is an all-new production car for the European markets, with first arrivals in October 2015 to showrooms. It is the first plug-in VW hybrid and will be offered as the normal sedan or the practical estate shape. The Passat GTE powertrain is very promising for the …

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2015 Honda Civic Type R Previewed By Crisp and Clean New Paris Concept

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276 horsepower is now the floor for Honda Type R models – this latest 2.0-liter turbocharged engine shows that Honda is diving in head-first into the world of turbochargers. Which definitely makes sense – Honda is, after all, supplying the McLaren Formula One team with its engines for 2015 and beyond. So you can be sure that the engine lab is glowing red-hot with huge boost! So what will change between now and the production model set for Spring 2015 in the UK? Mostly the headlights and the wheels. They will both be slightly more production-feasible. But otherwise, this is …

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Lamborghini Paris Launch Rumored To Be All-New 2016 URUS Super-SUV

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Lamborghini’s SUV ambitions are well-documented. In addition to the LM002 ‘Lambo Rambo’ truck from the 1980s, the Urus SUV concept from 2012 let its intentions be shouted to the rooftops. The latest bit of news comes from the Lamborghini media preview invite for October 2: a profile showing a short and tall model unlike anything mid-engined. So what will it be? The production URUS is widely believed to be what is coming. A 600-horsepower four-seat crossover based on the Macan? Pricing from $120,000 and arrival in May 2015 as a 2016 model? Yes, that is our prediction — but time …

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INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Previews Gorgeous and Fascinating S-Class Competitor

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One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a production model …

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Concept Flashback – 1985 Nissan Cue-X Inspired Original Infiniti Q45 Flagship and Future Q80

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  As we prepare for the upcoming Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept’s debut in Paris, how about a look back at the springboard ideas that led to the first flagship, the Q45 of 1990. The 1985 Cue-X concept from Nissan shares clear details with what became the Q45 from all angles, but especially in profile. This low and lean shape was far less formal than the competition from Lexus in the LS400, as well as the established players like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It is fascinating to see the inspiration for the original Q, and the low and flowing style shown by …

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2014 Toyota C-HR Concept for Paris Previews Yaris Crossover

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It is new Japanese crossover day today! The Toyota C-HR Concept has broken cover ahead of its Paris debut in Paris. This model is thought to be a Yaris-sized crossover, which will slot in below the RAV4 and compete with the new Honda HR-V, Chevy Trax and Nissan Juke — among others. 2014 Toyota C-HR Concept  

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Wow! 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Facelift previewed By Very Stylish Outlander PHEV Concept-S

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Are you getting pumped for Paris? Kicking off the 2014/2015 auto show season in high-fashion style, the debuts are set to come fast and furious… ahem. Pre-empting the big debuts of the new Infiniti Q80 flagship, Lamborghini SUV and many, many more is the new Mitsubishi outlander PHEV Concept S. This tasteful refresh brings a more angular and sophisticated appeal to Mitsu’s hot-selling seven-seat crossover.       MITSUBISHI MOTORS LINEUP AT 2014 PARIS MOTORSHOW WORLD PREMIERE OF THE OUTLANDER PHEV CONCEPT-S 22/09/14 Tokyo, September 22 2014 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will present the world debut of the Outlander …

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2014 Peugeot Quartz Hybrid Crossover Concept Revealed Ahead of Paris Show

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Well here is an interesting surprise! This PHEV crossover concept leverages some of the sexy looks of the 2008 DKR race truck into a production-friendly shape. A 270-horsepower engine powers the front wheels, while the back wheels are driven by a powerful electric motor. The new plug-in setup even allows the Quartz crossover to have a 31-mile EV range when the batteries are fully charged. 2014 Peugeot 2008 DKR Prototype In terms of style, the defining elements of this cab-backward crossover are the long hood and ultra-low roofline. While not the most practical of shapes for an SUV, it is …

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Citroen Divine DS Concept for Paris 2014 Shows Way for 2016 DS4

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The DS premium brand spin-off is a HUGE, huge success — sales and margins on the line are better than even Citroen could have imagined five years ago. This gorgeous concept hatchback is relatively practical by French concept standards — it runs a standard THP 1.6-liter turbo engine (with a non-standard 270-horsepower) and a compact four-door hatchback shell. Most logically, this machine would slot in above the DS3 and below the DS5. So will the DS4 be this gorgeous as a production car? Fingers crossed that the nose makes it intact, as well as the impressive panel slashes from the …

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EXCLUSIVE! 2014 Bugatti Veyron Legend ETTORE BUGATTI in 45 Stunning Photos

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Updated 8.27.14 We owe a deep nod of gratitude to Bugatti executive leadership for letting our camera lens into this exclusive Bugatti luncheon at Pebble Beach on Concours day. Like everything in the world of Bugatti – and especially Los Legendes de Bugatti – it is a land of velvet-rope access. Limited availability. Manufactured scarcity. That is part of the Bugatti myth as well as the entire client experience. Mobs of people is not on the agenda. But flashbulbs and press guys? Lucky for us — that is part of the cult of Bugatti. Great to play any part available …

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USA Debut – 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7 Speedster! 3.8s to 60MPH, 575HP, 250 Copies Max

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Update2 Included here is the final US-specification of the Project 7 from Jaguar. Very, very impressive style in person — with far more visual aggression and intensity than even the F-Type R from all angles. The US car has a slightly taller windshield than the Euro models, but all are sure to cause quite a stir whereever they drive. The latest front bumper design is gorgeous, but the silver-painted grille shroud is very cheesy. We’d recommend the gloss black choice, which nicely blends into the deep carbon sills and the huge diffuser out back. 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7   …

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Update1 – 2015 VOLVO XC90 – 400HP Twin-Engine PHEV Dubbed T8, 316HP T6 Also Coming to USA

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Updated 8.12.14 with additional platform info from Volvo More info from Volvo today about the all-new XC90’s platform – plus the first official exterior image! Granted, it is just a headlight close-up… but we are excited all the same. [ The full exteriors shown here are unofficial renderings. ]     2015 VOLVO XC90 Powertrain   Well, here is some good news! So far, we have seen the new XC90’s interior luxury and infotainment solutions. The luxury looks good, but the info touchscreen is a bit short of the Tesla 17-inch ideal. Under the hood? This has been another worry …

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Updated With First Official Photos – 2016 Kia Sorento Paris Preview

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Updated 8.10.14 with three official (Euro-spec) 2016 Sorento photos   Kia reveals first official photos of third generation Sorento First photos of the all-new Kia Sorento released today confirm that the third generation of the popular SUV will feature a new look, with bold, swept-back styling and sophisticated surface detailing. Longer, lower and wider, with an extended wheelbase, the new Sorento builds on the success of the outgoing model, delivering a premium look and feel, with more space and numerous innovative features. With the brand’s hallmark design features and a more mature appearance, the new model is instantly recognizable as …

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Veyron GS Vitesse Legend ETTORE BUGATTI is Pebble Beach 2014 Debut

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A blue-carbon and brushed-alloy finish for the Ettore Bugatti Legends car is a stunning combination – perfectly complementing the saddle leather inside for dramatic effect. The leather and horses theme is pervasive, with Cordovan leather featured in design sketches early on. The muted tones reflect the low-sheen appeal of horseshoes and other early steel machinery. This is a machine you can image would look amazing at speed. In Ettoe Bugatti’s day, many photos had a lively buzzy effect from trying to keep focus in a fast racing environment. Once stopped, the subtle and timeless beauty of this final Legends Veyron …

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2016 Kia Sorento Paris Preview Shows Deeply Sexy New Design, With Elements of K900 Flagship to Nose

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INTRO CAVEAT: All these hopefuly statements are moot. Why? Kia is still furious with your humble scribe for what he said about the current Sorento’s woeful steering.   The Kia Sorento has the makings of a great SUV – but needs a few extra tweaks to really get to the same levels as its Hyundai Sante Fe cousin. Those changes required include a fresher and more appealing exterior style, some dynamic tweaks, and a sportier cabin and driving position. 2014 Kia Sorento SX-L Kia looks set to address all three of these needs in one fell swoop for the all-new …

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2009 Citroen GTbyCitroen Becomes Working Media via Real-Life Art Installation in Venice

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One of my favorite pieces of marketing jargon from my past career in advertising is Working Media. This contrasts, of course, with Non-Working Media. The difference is cut/dry – Working media is something that consumers will see and may influence a purchase. Non-working Media is a line item for creative brainstorming, ideation, story-boards — everything that goes into making the ads. As a media guy, we worked hard deciding how to get the target market to see the creative. Technically, all of our exhaustive media modelling and planning was Non-Working Media as well, so not just a jab at creative …

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Booth Babes Showcase – Paris 2012

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The alternating Paris and Frankfurt auto shows were recently described to me as, “Paris = Fun, Frankfurt = Not.” Does this extend to the female eye candy that is well-known for making almost any car look better and sexier as they stand nearby? Are Paris’s booth babes hotter than Frankfurt’s, or Geneva’s? Here is a quick look back at some favorites from Paris 2012. Booth Babes Showcase – Paris 2012

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2015 VOLVO XC90 Powertrain Teaser – Twin-Engine PHEV with 400HP Dubbed T8, 316HP T6 Also Coming to USA

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2015 VOLVO XC90 Powertrain Well, here is some good news! So far, we have seen the new XC90’s interior luxury and infotainment solutions. The luxury looks good, but the info touchscreen is a bit short of the Tesla 17-inch ideal. Under the hood? This has been another worry – will dropping the inline-6, turbo six and V8 engines hurt the XC90 in power-pad American showrooms? The answer is a big No! The range-topping plug-in hybrid powertrain is teased today, and it looks awesome. Called T8 for twin-engine 4+4 shorthand, the T8 brings 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Through …

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Lamborghini Estoque – Binned In Favor of SUV, But Design Influences Huracan Dramatically

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The Lamborghini Estoque from Paris 2008 created a flurry of media attention and even compelled some eager buyers to put down deposits on the car during the great auto show. Over the next year and a half, Lamborghini evaluated the concept’s production feasibility in detail – bouncing volume and pricing business plans back and forth to the Volkswagen Group board, exploring Panamera collaborations for the platform, and even building out a long-term front-engine GT car plan to accompany this gorgeous four-door to Lamborghini dealerships. This last bit – with a front-engine coupe and cabrio joining the business plan – made …

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2015 Volkswagen Passat Debuts Blah European-Model-Only Redesign

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  This car looks a lot better in thumbnails than up close. If you are fretting about how lame and old all VW of America’s models are — do not fret. This face is coming “soon” to our de-contented US Passat, as well as the on-again CrossBlue SUV that US dealers have been clamoring for since 2009. VW is out of new ideas. They have nothing new in this Passat design outside, and so little inside that it might as well be the current model. The EuroPassat even borrows the full-width dash-vent-fake idea from the new Chevy Malibu. Pathetic. As …

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Montreal Designer Maxime de Keiser Envisions Future Audi R10

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Maxime de Keiser has some amazing ideas up his sleeve, and a vision to match. A futuristic, low and somewhat brutal aesthetic rules his style – which you might know from his DeTomaso Mangusta Legacy. He dubs this concept the Audi C8 and notes its inspiration from the Audi Type C of the 1930s, which is totally valid. But the interest for these eyes is two-fold: — we have no idea what the next R8 will look like; only that it is coming soon. Perhaps at Paris this Fall. — Truly, Mr. De Keisers’ ideas for this car seem like …

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600HP MiEV Evolution III Mitsubishi Zaps Pikes Peak Clouds with 9-min, 8-sec One-Two Finish

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600HP MiEV Evolution III Mitsubishi Zaps Pikes Peak Clouds Last year Mitsubishi had high hopes for the current-gen MiEV Evo to scorch the competition in the international Pikes Peak hillclimb, but left a bit disappointed. Knowing their intensive engineering focus as a company, we bet the team started to refine the car even further on the plane ride home. Enhancements began immediately and are actually remarkably comprehensive. They come down to two general areas of improvement: Mechanical changes seeking grip – increased grip more than ~60-percent with tires that went from 260-series widths all around to 330-series widths – better …

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HD Video – 1953 Gordini 24S Blasts Around Its Favorite Tracks Before RM Auctions Paris Sale

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 This car defies logic. On one hand, it looks adorable and cute. So narrow and low, with the blue bodywork peeled back around the exhaust manifold and the straight-cut pipes. Watch the below… The Gordini starts to howl at about the half-way mark of this video preview. Kudos to its bold driver, who is not shy with the loud pedal. Firing up the 24S takes a prod onto an organ-stop switch – included as the fuel cutoff for racing. This very car won the Tour de France (a car race at the time…) and also traded paint with Porsche and …

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JAGUAR Special Operations To Build F-TYPE Project 7 Speedster! 3.8s to 60MPH, 575HP, 250 Copies Max

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JAGUAR Special Operations To Build F-TYPE Project 7 UPDATE1 JAGUAR Special Operations Will Build 250 Project 7 F-TYPE Speedsters What a thrilling announcement! Jaguar Special Operations has revealed that it is hard at work finalizing a production version of the Project 7 F-TYPE — and will produce 250 of them for sale around the world. This includes the US — or North America at least — but will have some revisions to the design to meet cabrio safety rules. This might mean a taller windshield, but the final US design remains secret. Performance figures are out of the bag though: …

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Concept Flashback: 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force

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The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-force concept from Los Angeles 2012 deserves a fresh look, despite its ridiculous name. 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 …

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Euro Wagon Envy – 2014 Audi A6 Allroad – How To Convince Audi AG The USA Is Worthwhile

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2014 Audi A6 Allroad Quick reminder… These articles do not write themselves! =] But even after a long day, I still strive to create content for you, my cherished reader. The best thanks? Share stuff you like subscribe via https://www.facebook.com/carrevsdaily (or via RSS from http://www.car-revs-daily.com/feed and come back often.   Let’s dive in. What is the one wish most Americans have about the Volkswagen Group? Find a way to bring more cars here. The cool cars. The special cars. Cars like the A6 Allroad – which is not joining the US sales lists in this generation. Sure, the case for …

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RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1969 DeTomaso Mangusta Brings $367k of Supercar Hedonism

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Oh, this is a great total to see. Overall, DeTomaso machines typically do not deliver the value they should when you consider their beauty and hand-made Italian designs. The shortcut of using an American engine has never been kind to the values of classics, with even the Face Vega’s of Paris and many others really not delivering the stratospheric sales prices of Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s of the same provenance and era. This Mangusta is quite a sinfully delicious design, with a brutality to its nose that was and is a nice counterpoint to the streamlined Daytona Ferrari, pin-sharp Maserati Ghibli …

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NOW and THEN Design Showcase – 2013 JAGUAR Project 7 versus 1955 JAGUAR D-TYPE

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It is not often that a one-off concept so directly references one specific car in the back catalog. Often, a hugely successful historical model like the 1955 D-TYPE Jaguar is recalled most fondly long after the fact. Its achievements on the racetrack making it even more beautiful, and even more of an iconic time capsule than a single design or even a single piece of art. It becomes a living, breathing part of that company’s heritage. Jaguar is never more eager to turn back to the 1950s and 1960s, which is odd in many ways. You just want to shake …

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Nissan GT-R Dakar Rally Prototype…! Most Absurd Renderings Ever?

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I was just going to share these with the Faceplace, but here goes nothing! No, I do not know why I spent so long doing this. But then again, the Porsche 959 won Paris-Dakar outright in 1984. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has won it numerous times as well. So perhaps not too insane? No. Completely insane. But fun to observe, hopefully =]

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BUGATTI Marque Showcase — Geneva, Salon Prive and Pebble Beach — Veyron Vitesse and GS Rembrandt — Plus Venet, Jean Bugatti, L’Or Blanc and GS Vitesse

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So many Bugatti’s, so little time!   Just kidding. It really is the opposite, in fact, with a production run closing in on the final 75 units pretty soon on the horizon in 2015. But when your car costs as much as these magnificent specimens, who wouldn’t want a custom theme and livery? Quick shorthand: GS signifies the targa cars, while the Vitesse models are the fastest and newest of the all. The Vitesse wears significant updates and shaping to the entire nose, with a mid-wing in the air ducts that is not present on the earlier cars. Geneva 2014 …

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Video Walk-Around + 33 Photos – 1935 Amilcar G36 Pegasé Boattail Roadster

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This car is quite special. The video notes that thhe Pegase Boattail Roadster was by Jacques Soutchek, but that may not be the case. The tiny Amilcar company of Paris certainly shared much of the Soutchek style shown in various custom Delehaye’s and Bugatti’s — a style which was typically hand-formed alloy and steel by only a small group of skilled craftsmen like Mr. S. Overall, the Pegase Boattail Roadster is most notable for its rarity and immaculate presentation, if not its sheer pace or the grandeur of some of the gigantic Delehaye’s and Bugatti’s from this interwar period. Tent/Lawn …

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Amelia Concours — Marque Showcases — Mercedes-Benz 219 Peking-to-Paris, 220SE (Coupe), 250SL Pagoda and Even 500E HAMMER!

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Bored of these concours articles yet?! With 3,000 photos snapped in three days — I was even a bit tired of all this out-of-reach metal myself my the end of the weekend. But there really were some stunning machines in attendance. Best part? Their owners were typically nearby — more than happy to extol the benefits of their cherished cars. And more often, the great care and passion they have put into getting these machines up to show-quality. Yes, in theory, anyone with a cool car could apply for a lawn badge. But be prepared for light interrogation by fellow …

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Update1 — 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman SWB for $75,000 In Charleston, South Carolina

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 No words to describe this immaculate 1970 Pullman? I am never short of words! Yes, a tech thing prevented description of this car yesterday. But I will say these things now: — cars in this quality are very rare — price just 10% of a the total earned by drop-top six-door 1971 600 Pullman earlier this month in Paris by RM Auctions — for history fans or the inherently curious: the eagle in the front grille is the German Imperial flag — and nothing to do with some other eagle iconography that is perhaps better-known from Deutschland. https://www.deutschland.de/en This car …

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Wealth Dreams -- 1930 Lancia Lambda 8 Sports Tourer Seeks New Home -- My Home 6

Wealth Dreams — 1930 Lancia Lambda 8 Sports Tourer Seeks New Home — My Home!

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So, if you were in the audience or bidding online during RM Auctions’ Paris 2014 event, what would you pick to drive home? Let’s have an imaginary budget of $150,000 — which is plenty — where would your dollars go? For me, it is this 1930 Lancia Lambda 8 Sports Tourer. It speaks to me. I think about it often. It is like a lover I will never have, or a friend I’ll never lose. Four doors, low roof, drama from all angles — yep. This is just my style. It is still seeking a new ‘forever home’ since not …

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Update2 — RM Auctions Paris Gala Brings Out the Global Jet Set… But Also High Reserves

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RM is a real class act. This Blenheim, Ontario-based automotive specialist auction house took the best possible route to the European collector’s market via a glittering February 5th, 2014 Gala in Paris. For a relative new-comer in the seven-figure classic car world, RM is making all the right moves. Did they arrive in Paris with a variety of old Mustangs and Corvettes? Nope — not a single yank tank is in the top-thirty list from this event. The hand-crafted list of cars includes a number of unique and special pieces with extra relevance to France and European racing history. Names …

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1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 ‘Six-Door’ Pullman Landaulet — *Just* $731,000 at RM Auctions Paris 2014

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Just $731,000? That is still a huge sum of money, right? In today’s world, for a six-door Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet, this is an absolute bargain. First off: most of these cars have never left the banana republics they originally called home. Many are still in active service all over the world. Secondly, this car might look rough cosmetically, but let me assure you: the Mercedes-Benz 600 (and all their pre-1989 cars, for that matter) are unbelievably strong automobiles.     I know this for a fact because I spent three weeks a few years ago dis-assembling the interior of …

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Swoopy 1955 D-type JAGUAR Tops All Comers with $5M Total in Fabulous RM Auctions Paris Gala 3

Swoopy 1955 D-type JAGUAR Tops All Comers with $5M Total in Fabulous RM Auctions Paris Gala

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Both my gorgeous French Racing Blue favorites could not approach the total earned by this BRG stunner from Jaguar the other week in Paris. RM Auctions delivered a possible world-record Jaguar total with the sale of this flawless 1955 D-type for just over $5 million on February 5th, 2014. Stay tuned for more details in the next few minutes via an upcoming article. But wanted to highlight the exceptional nature of this D-type Jaguar. Well bought and well sold — a rare combination. Photos courtesy of RM Auctions. Thankyou!

Concept Flashback: 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Is Potential 2015 Paris-Dakar Hybrid?

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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 …

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RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part3 – 1936 Delahaye Type 135S 17

RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part3 – 1936 Delahaye Type 135S

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Despite being the third entry in this series of articles, the 1936 Delahaye 135S is my sentimental favorite ahead of RM Auctions Paris Gala on February 5th. Online bidding is available – with full details near bottom of this article. French Racing Blue might be the subliminal theme of the auction, which also includes 50-plus legendary racecars and priceless classics. You can sense the excitement in the preview program for this Delahaye in particular. Another close favorite in this genre is the Gordini 53S – featured in a previous article here. The video of the Gordini at full throttle is …

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RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part2 – 1982 Porsche 956-004 Group C

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What would happen if the long-body racers from the late 1960s could be made stronger, lighter and 3X as quick around corners? Turbocharging and advanced aerodynamics in this 956 Group C racer were paramount to winning championships – as were high-speed pace and near-unbreakable reliability. It added up to a world-beating racing program for much of the 1980s for Porsche. The dream is very much alive today – with 620-horsepower and fantasy track thrills – and will be auctioned on February 5, 2014 in Paris by RM Auctions. 1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype – To be auctioned on Wednesday, …

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RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part1 – 1969 Lola T70 Mk IIIb by Sbarro

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Wow. RM Auctions had a record year in 2013, with a top-five list so classy there are barely any non-Duesenbergs. But things are even brighter so far in 2014. The Porsche below is one example. 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder – Sold for $2,750,000 on Thursday, January 16, 2014   Chassis no. 718-066 Engine no. P90316 This is part one in a series of articles highlighting a handful of favorites ahead of the Place Vauban on February 5th from 5pm. A selection of the 50-plus cars being sold that night will be on display February 4th, after the International …

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HD Video – 1953 Gordini 24S Blasts Around Its Favorite Tracks Before RM Auctions Paris Sale

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 This car defies logic. On one hand, it looks adorable and cute. So narrow and low, with the blue bodywork peeled back around the exhaust manifold and the straight-cut pipes. Watch the below… The Gordini starts to howl at about the half-way mark of this video preview. Kudos to its bold driver, who is not shy with the loud pedal. Firing up the 24S takes a prod onto an organ-stop switch – included as the fuel cutoff for racing. This very car won the Tour de France (a car race at the time…) and also traded paint with Porsche and …

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Ferrari 599XX Heading to Paris for RM Auctions in Feb 2014

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Buckle up. Tighten belts. Hang on! It looks like the day has finally come: one of Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive Corse Clienti XX models is set for public sale by RM Auctions this February in Paris. Widely believed to be pushing out nearly 800 horsepower through its Enzo-plus V12 engine, all of the typical street weight is stripped out. A full carbon-fiber aero redesign nearly doubles downforce (and grip) versus the 599 road cars, and weight is a very private figure – assumed to be at least 800 pounds lighter than anything with a license plate. Type approvals and imports will be …

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Iconic Classic: 1938 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6C Xenia

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Iconic Classic: 1938 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6C Xenia If it seems like we have an unhealthy fascination for the Mullin Automotive Museum, you might be right. The cars inside this collection just… write their own stories. I have a dozen more that I would like to feature, but we must start at the true nexus – or “Xenia” perhaps – of the art of French coach-building by Jacques Saoutchik and his contemporaries. How all these cars got to sunny California is no accident. In many cases – the cars in the collection were painstakingly built – sometimes from only drawings – …

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