But The Car Connection isn't partcularly hoodwinkable. This GT is disguised to look like a regular Quattroporte sedan, on which it is largely based. The borrowed Q-porte items:  the Ferrari-designed V8 engine, Cambiocorsa paddleshift transmission, front suspension and rear axle. The new GT will be significantly larger than the outgoing model, which has a back seat that can only accommodate malnourished children comfortably.

[Thanks, TCC.]

Maserati 2+2 GT prototype tries the old "fake rear doors" trick originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 14:32:17 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The vegetable will be a half habanero, half thai chili blend that will provide a semi-faux Capsicum flavor... oh wait, wrong blog. I meant to write that Porsche may market a gas-electric hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV that makes use of Toyota's RX400h guts. Porsche doesn't do diesels, but they feel that an alternative powertrain is necessary, especially for the company's primary sales market, the US, which will implement stricter emissions regulations in 2009. Toyota's 270-hp system will be introduced to the world in December when the RX400h is finally available. The Big T has long claimed its plans to cast its hybrid tech out into the world, like apple seeds, so that the technology may grow and flourish and make the world a better, safer, kinder, greater, cooler, less polluted place.

Porsche contemplating hybrid Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 13:20:16 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

VW's head goatee Bernd Pischetsrieder recently told the Italian newspaper Il Sole that his company "will lose nearly 1 billion euros in the United States this year due to the weak dollar and the (product) lineup which is waiting to be renewed." VW is forced to sell their vehicles at a certain pricepoint in the cutthroat US market, meaning that they cannot compensate for the weak dollar or the fact that their cars are becoming more expensive to build. The old home market isn't exactly helping out either, as Germany is suffering from what might be termed an "illness of the economic variety." VW hopes that brining ex-DCX exec Wolfgang Bernhard on board will help energize its model lineup so that VW can experience the glow of awesome sales, in which DaimlerChrysler is currently basking.

VW may lose one billion euros; shareholders to sympathize by losing minds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:16:38 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's always refreshing to read one of those rare Car and Driver reviews that's devoid of hard test data, and this Mustang article is no exception. It's pleasurable to not be pummeled by numbers and read about the actual driving experience. C/D romped with the V6 and V8 Stangs on backroads, interstates and a racetrack, and they find it a highly worthy successor to the outgoing model, especially the eight cylinder GT. The unsophisticated suspension is old school but extremely well-executed, ably blending performance and compliance. The 300 horses in the GT are easily extracted thanks to a solid gearbox and free-breathing exhaust pipes. And the interior is pretty damn swanky for a modern car that's trying to do the retro thing on a $25,000 budget. I'm still not thrilled with the Mustang's back end, but otherwise it seems like Ford has lived up to the legend.

Ford Mustang enjoyed by C/D data-freaks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 11:29:51 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Since that makes about as much sense as calling it a coupe. Despite AutoWeek's refusal to question Mercedes' ridiculous naming practices, this thorough going-over of the CLS is pretty engaging- I did not know that the CLS sports constantly adapting seat bolsters to provide just the right amount of support in turns. What a radical technological development. The 302-hp V8 gets along beautifully with the seven-speed autobox, especially with the manual shift program enabled, and the Airmatic (not to be confused with Nas' groundbreaking album Illmatic) suspension offers three levels of ride comfort, with slightly more road feedback than an S-Class. Mercedes claims the CLS is the result of an effort that has been 50 percent engineering and 50 percent design. According to the car's project manager, the CLS should attract "those who have always thought Mercedes-Benz isn't sporty enough." It's also their attempt to produce a car that, when viewed in profile, closely resembles a dog squatting to make a number two on a despised neighbor's lawn. Who's a good doggy? Who is? You are.

Mercedes CLS500: why not just call it a roadster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 10:40:37 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's say you just bought a Maybach 57. Granted, it's the short one, and TRU BALLER$ only roll in 62s, so you need to do something to distinguish yourself. Do you call X to the Z? No- you ring up US coachbuilder Genaddi Design Group, which for just over $150K can turn your 57 sedan into a 57 cabriolet, complete with matching canvas top. The company also converts Rolls-Royce Phantoms into stretch limos, and they plan on making a Bentley Continental with a GTR designation, a project which goes beyond just ripping a crooked Type R badge off a primer grey Honda Del Sol.

This is the fireplace where I burn my money originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2004 10:06:28 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cranberries, beware. This Elise-based GT will sell for about £30,000 and lock horns with the new Boxster, while maintaining a so-called "higher spec" than the Elise and Exige. The GT is noticeably wider, most likely to make room for a V6 engine. Overall, the car will be more spacious, more refined, and quieter than the Elise, which should make it very friendly to the US market, assuming that it can pass emissions regulations.

Lotus GT coupe prototype seen driving through a bog originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 13:42:40 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you think making fun of oversized wheels is played out, you need to see this amazing advertisement in its full legible splendor. Click the link now and thank me later.

Two snaps up to VW Vortex's Car Lounge for bringing this to my attention.

Rimmer'$ Rim$: The Illest Thing on the $treet! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 12:25:07 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well, that Jeep made it. Supposedly some onlookers were disappointed when scantily clad ladies did not emerge from the vehicle after it reached the top-fortunately, New Yorkers can find underdressed females emerging from alleys citywide, at all times. In other news, Mary Jane has dumped Peter Parker because although he's strong and courageous and all, he doesn't have a sweet-ass leather interior.

[Via TCC]

Jeep Grand Cherokee conquers 2 Penn Plaza originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 11:33:41 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Much of this unspirited back-and-forth between two AW editors concerns Audi's sequential manual gearshifting device, which employs a twin-clutch to wrangle the rpms and dole out perfect throttle blips. You can break off shifts in a more efficient manner than a true manual, and breeze through low-speed maneuvers without worrying about that pesky friction point. The DSG in the TT is apparently better than BMW's SMG, and various settings tailor shifting to the conditions. It's no surprise that the interior quality and layout is praised, although one editor thinks the car feels dated and rickety over flawed pavement due to chassis flex. And speaking of flexing, you'll be exercising your wallet muscles extensively when you shell out for this TT, which, when loaded to the gills as tested, knocks on the $50K door and says, "Yo, let me in."

2004 Audi TT Roadster DSG6: two clutches, no third pedal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 10:16:53 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Renault's Clio series has always been a line that inspires severe "why can't we get those here" lamentations, at least from me. The 182 Cup is a stripped version of the regular 182, meaning it has been lightened slightly, firmed up with a tight suspension, and relieved of most unnecessary creature comforts. A 180-hp 2.0 liter four-banger takes the 182 Cup to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds, meaning it probably gets to that American benchmark in roughly 6.799045 ticks. The high point of the 182 Cup is the sheer joy it provides when roads curve and twist. The low point is a cheap, dated interior. Fortunately the price is right, so come on down: £13,800, which is almost £1300 less than a regular Clio 182 with the optional sport package, and about £5000 short of Mini's Cooper S Works.

Oh, Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup, how I would drink from thee originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 09:24:17 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Although California recently passed a Schwarzenegger-sponsored bill to allow single-occupant hybrids to use highways' HOV lanes, a waiver from the federal government may be needed before the law can be applied. Currently, HOV lanes constructed with federal cash can only be used by vehicles carrying more than one person, with an exemption made for vehicles powered by natural gas. Cali's law would allow hybrids that can manage 45+ mpg to use the HOV lanes. And this ain't no crazy West Coast phenomenon either- Virginia allows hybrids in its HOV lanes, and even though it's totally illegal, a DOT official said, "...we're looking the other way." Schwarzenegger reportedly wants the law to go into effect ASAP so he can get to Sarah Connor before it's too late.

Thanks to Frank for hooking us up.

Governator's hybrids-in-HOV-lanes bill hits snag originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2004 08:52:49 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Finally, I can get off the edge of my seat. The automatic-equipped sedan and coupe will sticker for $30,700 and $32,400, respectively, while the stick versions go for $30,450 and $33,000, and you've still got to respect their order within the sentence, ok? The six-speeders will see a nice 18-hp spike for 2005, bumping horsie output for the RWD cars to 298. The G35 sedan also gets slight exterior tweakage, new wheels, and a limited-slip differential for 2K5. The coupe's interior (seen previously as its weak point) has been improved, while outside it remains largely unchanged except for the new blangin' wheels, which in my opinion blow chunks compared to the old sport package shoes. The AWD G35x is still available only in automatic sedan form, for $32,500.

Infiniti divulges pricing for 2005 G35s originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:34:51 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Automobile Magazine tips you off to what'll be popping at this year's Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association show next month in Lost Wages. You can expect standout booths from Evolve, the Volvo tuner that will display a 450-hp S40 (pictured), Mazda, which will be repping hard with the Mazdaspeed 6, and Nissan, with their 35th Anniversary 350Z and a cache of cool trucks. Also prepare to be blinded by plenty of extreme body kits that will make you think, "I can certainly appreciate the many hours of hard labor that went into this vehicle, however I still think it is completely disgusting."

Satisfy your constant mod-craving with this SEMA show preview originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 13:31:47 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The top shelf TT will get a 280-hp twin-turbo block, which Autocar claims is a "development of the 200bhp 2.0-litre engine that will appear in the new VW Golf GTi," although I'm not sure why Audi would choose to twincharge the four banger, instead of singlecharging the 3.2 liter V6 it will also employ in the TT. A diesel variation is purportedly a go as well, using the Golf's 138-hp 2.0 liter to make 160 equines. The new TT, codenamed AU353, retains much of the original styling, but it adds Audi's new waterfall/shield/trapezoid grille. The car will probably, most likely, almost definitely appear at next year's Frankfurt motor show.

More new engines for next Audi TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 12:17:09 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you are even vaguely familiar with MTV's atrocious Pimp My Ride series, you'll take a singular gander at the $18,000 starting bid here and spend the rest of the day explaining to your co-workers "just what's so damn funny." Some highlights from the vehicle description: "Rims and tires alone worth about $8000," paint that's peeling around the doors, a cracked DVD screen, and a stereo that "sounds SO KILLER!!!!" It's a tough choice between this and a loaded Mazda 3, but I think I'm gonna hafta go with the Mazda.

Another Pimp My Ride POS on the auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 11:20:50 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's like magma, people, you can't stop it. DuPont Automotive and Motorola have teamed up to produce a much tidier heads-up display (HUD) unit, which requires hardware the size of two sugarcubes. Oldfangled HUDs (at right) caused engineers and designers to exchange blows because the toaster-sized devices took up so much room in the dash. Also, more notable for its scarcity, is talk of 42-volt batteries, which were once thought of as the future of automotive electronics, since the increasing power demand of in-car gizmos can easily strain regular 12-volts. Apparently the 12-volt power management system has been improved recently, and manufacturers are getting into the habit of making their stuff smaller, thereby consuming less energy. Some think that the reason most Nav systems suck so much, is because they aren't getting the power needed to function properly.

[Via The Car Connection]

Convergence 2004: the hotness just keeps pouring in originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:24:54 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The sinister CTS-V above is the work of Katech, the firm behind Caddy's SCCA World Challenge race cars. For the SCCA events, the CTS-V is forced to keep its stock internals, but for the private-sale K-Series, Katech chucks the LS6 and drops in a custom 6.7 liter V8 good for 525-hp and 535 lb./ft. of brain-concussing torque. If for instance you absolutely had to get to 60 miles per hour as quickly as possible, the K-Series will get you there in 4.6 seconds. On top of the power boost, available from Katech as a stand-alone upgrade, the K-Series sits on an aggressive handling package comprised of bits from H&R, QA1, and their very own gorgeous one-piece wheels. Going all the way with the K-Series entails spending $38,000 on top of your CTS-V's $50K MSRP, but AutoWeek makes the argument that it'll still be less than the new BMW M5. I will make the point that Katech's creation is (ahem, arguably) better-looking, as well.

K>V: Katech Cadillac CTS-V K-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:05:25 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Bowtie Brigade is showing the Meriva SS, Astra Sedan SS and Corsa Sedan SS at the Sao Paolo Autosalon, hoping that a few cosmetic alterations (mesh grille, 360º tints, bangin' 16-inch alloys) will confuse buyers into thinking these econolumps have serious performance abilities. I also want to be the first one to call chrome mirrors as a new OEM and aftermarket trend, whereby mirror covers replace HIDs as thieves' target of choice. My favorite thing about this article is its characterization of Chevrolet, which has, unbeknownst to everyone, become a "specialist in transforming dreams into reality." Hmmm, I thought that was David Copperfield's responsibility.

Chevy unleashes triumvirate of sporting concepts in Sao Paolo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:16:04 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you're in midtown Manhattan tomorrow (Thursday, the 21st), you may want to swing by 2 Penn Plaza (right above Penn Station) and check out the new Grand Cherokee that will be parked on the side of a 30-story skyscraper. There's no word on exactly how this feat will occur- one may assume that there will be some kind of winch system that slowly retracts and pulls the vehicle up the side of the building, until it reaches a "Jeep Only" parking spot. The climb will take place between 8 and 9 AM, and the Jeep will remain parked throughout the day. As far as we know, the Grand Cherokee will be a regular road-going model, not the Godzilla-sized monster at right.

Jeep Grand Cherokee to scale Manhattan building tomorrow in publicity stunt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2004 13:30:39 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.