Autoblog

VIDEO: Confirmed! Veritas testing at the Nurburgring

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-05-07T09:57:00+00:00

Watson, the mystery's been solved. After Chris spied a sinuous silver shape on his iPhone and a couple of readers sent us shots from the Nurburgring web cam, we now have video of the Veritas RS3 sitting at the starting gate, ready to do... something on the infamous Nordschleife. The blokes from the Bridge to Gantry have put the matter to rest with a video walk-around of the Veritas taken by one of the dozens of people surrounding the concept before it made its way onto the Green Hell.

Just as a refresher, the Veritas RS3 was a showcar displayed in 2001 packing a BMW-sourced V12 putting out 670 hp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. With a tubular chassis and a total weight of just over a ton, we can only imagine the fun the race-ready driver was having after speeding off from the entry gate at the 'Ring.

Check the full video after the jump and you can read up on the Veritas' racing history by clicking these blue colored words.

Gallery: Spied on the Nuerburgring again: Veritas RS3?

[Source: Bridge to Gantry via Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Confirmed! Veritas testing at the Nurburgring

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Spied on the Nuerburgring again: Veritas RS3?

Chris Tutor — 2008-05-05T14:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc.

Click above for a gallery of the Veritas RS3 at the 'Ring.

Just last week we asked you to help us identify a mystery car we caught on the Nuerburgring Web cam . Knowledgeable reader PandaBeat guessed it was the Veritas RS3 Concept car and won the admiration and respect of the staff, if not other readers.

We've again spied this odd car while checking the Web cam, as well as eagle-eyed readers Eric Recher and Cole Eswein who sent us more evidence. With these much-improved views, we can see that if it is the Veritas, it has grown a hood scoop and some aerodynamic aids beneath its chin, as well as sprouted larger headlamps that wrap above the front fenders.

So does this confirm that our mystery car is the Veritas Concept from 2001 with a few updates? Or are we looking at a new Veritas concept? Is this testing of a production prototype or an entirely different car?

Check out the gallery for more mystery car clues.

Gallery: Spied on the Nuerburgring again: Veritas RS3?

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Spied? BMW M1 Prototype caught undisguised (maybe)

Drew Phillips — 2008-05-04T20:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupes, Supercars, BMW

Click above for high-res version

We've been debating whether or not this is a real photo or an expert rendering, but if it is a photoshopped image of a BMW M1 prototype, then it is very convincing. According to FreshTarmac.com, this photo was taken in a hangar in Spain. It shows a sleek two-door, probably mid-engined coupe with attributes of the new M3 incorporated into its design, especially the front fenders and hood. With BMW introducing the M1 Hommage Concept at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este last week, we hope this means that is already considering a production version. Come on BMW, build it! Thanks for the tip, John!

[Source: FreshTarmac.com]

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Design students envision a modern Model-T

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-05-02T16:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Contests, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford

Photo: KEVIN A. WILSON, Autoweek

Recently, Ford Motor Company sponsored a contest with the goal of modernizing the iconic Model T, a car which revolutionized motorized transportation the world over. The winner of the competition, a 24-year-old junior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit named Dong Trang, came up with an electric crossover of sorts. That's fitting, according to Peter Horbury, head of design for Ford in the Americas, because Henry Ford's original Model T sat high off the ground and had a modular design, capable of hauling people and their stuff at the same time.

What the modern-day designs don't share with their forebear is retro looks. Each of the modern T adaptations features fairly sleek styling and alternative power that goes along with our modern-day energy and emissions problems.

Trang's design is rather unique, featuring solar panels on the vehicle along with an energy-capturing suspension design that would help recharge the on-board batteries. Those batteries are also removable to provide power outside the vehicle. The seating arrangement is modular, allowing for up to four occupants or offering increased storage capacity. The rear hatch is also capable of folding away to offer a small pickup bed. Click past the break for some videos of Trang talking about his design.

[Source: Detroit Free Press, Autoweek]

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More images of Carrozzeria Touring's coachbuilt Maseratis

Noah Joseph — 2008-05-01T15:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Supercars, Maserati

Click on the images to view the Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS and Bellagio Fastback in high resolution

The reborn Carrozzeria Touring made a big splash at Villa d'Este. As the featured marque of the Concorso d'Eleganza this year, the fathers of the classic Superleggera construction method took the wraps off two stunning coachbuilt Maseratis. While we wait for Touring to release more information on the swoopy A8 GCS sportscar and Bellagio Fastback, the Carrozzeria has graced us with a few new images of the two cars.

The photos of the A8 GCS show the custom coupe in a much better light than the initial batch, and there's another shot of the Quattroporte-based Bellagio, as well. As you can see in the latter, the side windows on the wagon are blanked out, but while the extension might not do any favors for blind-spot visibility, we hardly think that's the point as the design and craftsmanship appear second to none. Check out the images in the two galleries below to see for yourself.

Gallery: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS

Gallery: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Bellagio

[Source: Carrozzeria Touring]

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Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars

John Neff — 2008-05-01T12:34:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Buick, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the Buick Invicta Concept

GM Vice Chairman Bob "Maximum" Lutz published a new post today on the corporate GM Fastlane Blog that addresses the automaker's newest concept that debuted recently at Auto China 2008 in Beijing: the Invicta. The concept heavily hints at what the next-generation Buick LaCrosse will look like, but Bob points out that the global architecture underpinning the vehicle will be the basis of new cars for Chevy, Saab, Opel/Vauxhall and more. In the past, we would've expected those accompanying models to be rebadged versions with different grilles, headlights and taillights, but Bob explains how GM's new global platform sharing process is different than the rebadging of old. In a nutshell, he says that the money saved from sharing common platforms see will be put into making everything that customer's will see - exterior and interior design, specifically - completely different. While it's great to hear Bob talk about how GM finally "gets it" when it comes to producing common products across an empire of brands, it's something that other automakers like VW/Audi have been doing for years while the General kept feeding us "triplets" of every model it made. So kudos to GM for finally getting it, but it took 'em long enough.

Gallery: Buick Invicta Concept

[Source: GM FastLane blog]

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Nissan 360: the X-by-Wire EA2 concept

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-04-30T10:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, SUVs, Tech, Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan

Click above for hi-res gallery of the X-by-Wire EA2 Concept

Nissan showed off a drive-by-wire concept that wasn't about touting the technology itself, but the space and features you could get back because of it. By fitting a steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and shift-by-wire systems, 11 centimeters of extra space was added to the cabin which allowed for a third row of seats in the rear of this Murano-based concept. The room came from pushing the wheels out to the far corners, which could be safely done without sacrificing vehicle dynamics due to the lack of mechanical linkages.

The small, race-style steering wheel needs less turning input, and the column can be tilted up completely out of the way. The center tunnel has become a beautifully finished control panel that gently arcs up to greet the driver. When you don't need it, it can also be folded back over itself creating even more space in the front area. When I did, the swath of empty space between the front seats was so inviting I almost wanted to take a nap.

The Nissan R&D engineer with the vehicle said that there were no plans to put the technology into any products right now. But it is being studied, especially one of the main issues -- as with all drive-by-wire systems -- the implementation of redundant systems.

You can check out the Nissan 360 event site for more details on the EA2 concept and all the vehicles in Nissan's lineup. In the mean time, be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos below.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the X-by-Wire EA2

Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

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Nissan 360: the design future, and the new 370Z?

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-04-29T20:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Nissan, Rumormill

Click the image above for more hi-res shots of the 370Z and Infiniti design teasers.

There were crisp images of a blurry car being swapped and discussed today at Nissan 360. When Shiro Nakamura, the head designer at Nissan, revealed the barest hints of a car outline hidden behind a taut sheet of fabric, speculation began as to whether it represented the new Z. The arced flanges over the wheels, and the way they follow the wheels, have 370Z written all over them. However, it doesn't look as if it would fit this rendering exactly -- which is not a bad thing. All Nakamura would say is that we'll be seeing that wheel later this year, which, coincidentally, is when the next Z -- supposedly lighter and four inches shorter than the current car -- is slated to be unveiled.

The other design teaser was a top-view sculpture of future Infiniti design elements. Who knows what or how much of the elements -- like the ducktail rear -- will make it to the final product, and who knows what those features will look like when in production. But it's a good looking piece of art in its own right. A brace of edges peeking out from a sea of crimson undulations -- if they had thrown wheels on it I would have driven it out of the hotel last night.

Gallery: Nissan and Infiniti Design Studies

Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

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VIDEO: BMW Design Director on M1 Hommage Concept

John Neff — 2008-04-29T14:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Videos, Supercars, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above image to view video after the jump

Truth be told, the Autoblog team is split on whether or not we like the M1 Hommage Concept that was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this past weekend. Some of us claim that it's genius baked in a car-shaped pan, while the rest would rather stare at flame surfacing, Chris Bangle's ignominious contribution to automotive design, until their eyes start bleeding. Regardless, it creates discussion, and to facilitate the talk we have BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk on camera after the jump talking about the car and its inspiration, the original M1.

Though the video after the jump is over eight minutes long, you'll want to watch it all the way through to catch footage of the original M1 that was used for the photo shoot being thrashed on-track.

Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage

[Source: BMW]

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Unreal: Spada Codatronca headed for production

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-04-29T14:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Spada Codatronca concept.

We knew it was true, but we still can't believe it. The Spada Codatronca is slated for production, with 20 examples due to be built in the near future and priced somewhere north of £200,000. As reported previously, the Dark Knight's weekend driver is packing a supercharged LS7 V8, producing 600 hp in "entry-level" TS guise and can be upgraded to a track-ready version producing 700 hp and dropping 0-60 times to a mind-boggling 2.7 seconds. Unfortunately, we've yet to see any photos of the "production" version that was unveiled at the Top Marques show this past weekend, so we'll just have to wait and see if the sinister sled makes a successful transition from concept to production.

Gallery: SpadaConcept Codatronca

[Source: Top Gear]

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Hyundai i10 Ice Cream van hits sweet spot

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-28T15:26:00+00:00

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Commercial Trucks, Hatchbacks, Hyundai, Toys

Click to view more of the Hyundai i10 ice cream van

We can come up with all manner of criteria for evaluating a car at any level: design, performance, spec sheet, ride, features, technology, value... but the one factor that trumps all others, what it all really comes down to, is how it appeals to our inner child. At the heart of it, that's why we love Lamborghinis and HUMMERs and Mustangs... and this particular Hyundai i10. It's just a treat.

The ice-cream van conversion wasn't made for Good Humor, although it certainly put us in that state of mind. It was created as a promotional tool for the British launch of the i10 by auto innovator Andy Saunders, the same guy who gave us the neo-Picasso Citroen 2CV and the ground-hugging Fiat 126, among others. While the Poole, England-based customizer has come up with many creative designs before, we doubt any of them would get children running after it down the street like the Pied Piper. Have a look at the images in the gallery below and pick out something delicious on us.

Gallery: Hyundai i10 ice cream van

[Source: theCarfanatic.com and AutoTrader.co.uk]

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Carrozzeria Touring unveils Maserati A8 GCS at Villa d'Este

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-28T09:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Euro, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above to view the Touring Maserati A8 GCS in hi-res

Since the news broke that Maserati was planning a new sportscar to rival the benchmark Porsche 911, Italian styling houses have been lining up to pitch their designs for how they think the new Trident sportscar should look. Following the Chicane concept unveiled in Geneva by the students of the Instituto Europeo di Design, the resuscitated Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera threw its hat into the ring this weekend with the A8 GCS concept you see above.

Together with Touring's other Maserati concept, the Quattroporte-based Bellagio Fastback, the A8 GCS design study was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the annual Mecca of class and performance on the shores of trendy Lake Como in Italy. Inspired by Pininfarina's iconic Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta of 1954, the Touring concept presents a compelling mix of modern design and retro touches. While it's hard to make the case that, with even the most well-established outfits struggling to get by, the industry really needs another Italian design house or coachbuilder, if these are the results then we can hardly complain. Check out the images in the gallery below to see what we mean.

Gallery: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati A8 GCS

[Source: OmniAuto.it]

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Modern Retro: BMW M1 Hommage officially revealed

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-27T08:23:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW M1 Hommage

BMW's supercar icon, the M1, blew out the candles at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this weekend. In honor of the car's thirtieth birthday, BMW rolled out the new BMW M1 Hommage, a concept/design study that pays tribute to the original M1 and shows what could be possible if BMW were to produce a new mid-engined sports car. Follow the jump for the breakdown.

Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage

[Source: BMW]

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Sneak Peek! BMW M1 Concept at Villa d'Este

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-26T19:17:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Supercars, BMW

Click above to see more photos at Asphalte.ch

UPDATE: The BMW M1 Homage has now been officially unveiled! Click here for full coverage and a high-res gallery.

This year's Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este has its public day tomorrow, which is when the world will presumably get its first look at the new BMW M1 concept, a stunning, modern take on Munich's original supercar that is part of Bimmer's 30th anniversary celebration of the classic machine. The private exhibition took place today, however, and the guys at Asphalte.ch -- they were the first with live shots of the Lamborghini LP560-4 earlier this year -- have once again scored a coup, snapping the new, copper-colored M1 concept in all its glory, both alone and alongside its forebears. We expect to have a lot more on this car tomorrow (assuming a press kit will be released sometime overnight), but for now, head to Asphalte.ch to see more shots of the car under the lights. Hey BMW, just pull the trigger and greenlight a production version already, because this thing is awesome.

[Source & Photo: Asphalte.ch]

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MINI gets its panties in a bunch for charity

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-25T07:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchbacks, MINI

For the eighth year running, a designer MINI will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause of AIDS. The annual charitable event is organized by Life Ball, Europe's largest AIDS fundraiser event. Previous years saw MINIs designed by fashion houses like Missoni, Versace and Diesel, but this year's designer is the tits (so to speak): lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.

The one-of-a-kind MINI Clubman is treated to a uniquely kinky police-style paint scheme that would make Max Mosley weak at the knees. Pink police stripes run down the side over the black paint job, with a fishnet stocking pattern on the roof, a mirrored rear window, prison bars on the side windows and a tantalizing black leather interior. The car, which once again redefines the term "auto erotic", will be sold on eBay from June 5-15.

[Source: MINI]

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M-Zero: Inspired by M with a whiff of Aston

John Neff — 2008-04-23T14:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, BMW

Click above for high-res gallery of M-Zero renderings

The car you see above, dubbed the M-Zero by its designer Mael Oberkampf, looks like spawn of a BMW M6 and Aston Martin DB9. Up front it's an all business BMW with a convincing set of "angry eye" headlights and a bit of snarl, but inspiration from Aston can be seen in the rear or by viewing the car in profile. Though the extra large wheels are a bit tunerrific for our tastes, the overall design wouldn't make a bad BMW at all. Not that the Munich-based brand needs any more high-performance coupes to sell alongside the 1 Series, 3 Series and 6 Series coupes, but if there were an open slot in the lineup, the M-Zero would fit nicely. There's no mention (at least in English) of what theoretical powerplant might be found beneath its bonnet, but we'd opt for the obvious and install the corporate workhorse 5.0L V10.

Gallery: BMW M-Zero Concept

[Source: Tuvie.com]

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Beijing 2008: From Jeep clones to this? Beijing 700R concept

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-22T14:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, China, Misc. Auto Shows

It turns out that the Geely GT didn't corner the market on coupe concepts at Auto China 2008. Beijing Automotive -- whose Wrangler-style B40 you saw earlier -- is also on the case with its 700R coupe concept, a clean and attractive design with some interesting details. An accent line angles upward, merging with muscular rear haunches, giving the car a nice, aggressive presence. In front, knifelike headlamps; stylized, outboard air intakes; and a teensy main grille slit come together to give the car a good face. Out back, a similar motif finishes the car off, and the result is very attractive overall.

Of course, it'll probably never be anything more than vaporware, but generally speaking, it makes you wonder what on Earth goes on in the boardrooms of Chinese car companies. If they have the ability to deliver clean, original designs like this, then why bother copycatting at all? The mind reels. Until originality in this vein is the norm, the phrase "Chinese car" will remain a punchline. Too bad, because stylewise, this 700R concept is no joke.

Gallery: Beijing 700R

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

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Hot Wheels Honda Racer arrives in May. The kid in you is excited

John Neff — 2008-04-22T13:52:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Honda, Toys

Click above for high-res gallery of the Hot Wheels Honda Racer

Last November at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Hot Wheels unveiled a troop of concepts to celebrate its 40th anniversary. These new Hot Wheels cars were not designed by everyone's favorite 1:64 scale model toy maker, but rather were all new designs penned by designers from Lotus, Chevy, Ford, Mitsubishi, Dodge and Honda. The Lotus Concept, Mitsubishi Double Shotz, Dodge XP-07, Gangster Grin from Ford, Chevroletor (GM), and Honda Racer, along with Hot Wheels' own HW-40, are going on tour around the United States in August, so keep an eye out.

The first of these concepts to actually become a toy will be the Honda Racer, the design of which is inspired by the 'H' in Honda's corporate logo. There's room for a driver and navigator in the side-by-side shape of the concept that features a paint scheme inspired by Honda's participation in F1 back in the day. A fictitious Honda V10 VTEC that displaces a theoretical 2.0L per cylinder (that's a 20-liter engine for those keeping score at home) powers the red-and-white racer. The Honda Racer's design, Guillermo Gonzalez, says rather than bean counters and engineers imposing restraints on his creativity, the only parameters when designing his Hot Wheels car were that it had to fit in the trademark orange track and be able to do a loop. With a 20L V10 and the assistance of good old gravity, we're sure a loop is well within its means. You'll be able to buy the Honda Racer next month when it begins arriving on store shelves in May. Until then, check out the high-res shots Honda released of the Honda Racer in our gallery below.

Gallery: Hot Wheels Honda Racer

[Source: Honda]

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Villa d'Este 08 Preview: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-22T09:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Wagons/Estates, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above to enlarge

There are wagons, and then there are wagons. Most five-door family-haulers fall under the former, but once in a while something more shapely comes along and redefines the latter. If this image is something to go on, the Bellagio Fastback is definitely one of those rarities.

Created by the revived Carrozzeria Touring, the Bellagio Fastback is a wagon variant of the Maserati Quattroporte - itself already one of our favorite sedans and a beautiful point of departure. And from the looks of things, Touring has done a far more elegant job than the StudioM Cinqueporte we reported on previously. Carrozzeria Touring will be showcasing the Bellagio alongside its new Superleggera sportscar in a few days at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Italy's glamorous Lake Como along with such elegant motors as the Bugatti Veyron Fbg by Hermes, BMW Concept CS, Zagato Bentley Continental GTZ and Cadillac CTS Coupe. Follow the jump for more information on the cars participating in this year's Concorso.

[Source: Carrozzeria Touring and Villa d'Este]

Continue reading Villa d'Este 08 Preview: Carrozzeria Touring Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback

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Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of.

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-21T14:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, China, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a gallery of the Geely TX4 LTC

Geely builds the LTI TX4 under license, and naturally, it's showing off the popular London taxi at its display in Beijing. The standard TX4's kind of vanilla though, so to grab showgoers' attention, the automaker has also plopped an electric blue "hot rod" version called the TX4 LTC in its display, as well. It might more appropriately described as a "not rod", since the TX4's stock 2.4L Euro IV-compliant diesel remains underhood. For maximum visual effect, Geely appears to have raided the Chinese equivalent of a Pep Boys, adding a faux dual exhaust, bolting on truck running boards and fitting six-spoke wheels that might be just a smidge oversized. Call us crazy, but it looks like turning could become a bit of an adventure.

Inside, the passenger compartment gets a white interior and possibly some stereo upgrades along with a nice photo of Big Ben on the bulkhead. You might be stifling a giggle, but compared to some of the vehicular insanity that's showed up at previous years' Chinese auto shows, the TX4 LTC is almost boring, and even with that stock engine, lead-footed hacks can probably still smoke Geely Beauty Leopard drivers at red lights. Just don't take the bait and follow them into the twisties -- you might run into some issues.

Gallery: Geely TX4 LTC

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

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