In a cheeky bit of naked ambition, French automaker Peugeot inundated London's morning commuters today with a pool of 308 'nude' actors who appeared to only be wearing scarves. What was the reason for the au natural display? Why, to celebrate the arrival of the company's latest topless model, the 308 Coupe Cabriolet.


Interestingly, the 308CC has actually been on offer since the beginning of the month, but we can understand Peugeot's reluctance to send out its birthday suit troops on April Fools' Day, lest everyone get a rise out of this odd bit of viral *ahem* marketing. In any case, check out some wacky videos documenting the event and the press release after the jump.



[Source: NudeInAScarf.com]

European tuner Irmscher is branching out from Opels and Cadillacs if its latest project is any indication. The German outfit is marketing a new minimalist line of Irmscher 7 roadsters that begins with potent and peaks with outrageous. The basic, Lotus 7-esque naturally-aspirated model turns out 150 hp -- a healthy number when the car only weighs 1,650 pounds. On top of that are three turbocharged models fitted with Opel's 2.0-liter four-cylinder with outputs ranging from 210 to 284 hp, with the range-topper getting you to 60 mph in about four seconds.

The Irmscher 7 comes with a waterproof top, a custom suspension and, for those wide of beam, Irmscher says the "broad, long chassis is suitable for larger drivers." But you'll need an equally wide bank account to get one: the 210 hp model retails for €55,900 ($72,337 US), the price of the 284 hp beast is "auf Anfrage," which is German for "if you have to ask..."

[Source: Irmscher (translated)]

We've been hearing rumors of an upcoming MINI Speedster for years, and now the rumormill is building momentum, with additional speculations and renderings of a possible Miata-fighter. If it indeed does come to fruition, expect the MINI Speedster to jettison the rear bench in favor of a sportscar-proper 2-seat arrangement, which should also serve to boost luggage capacity to a bit more than the single set of golf clubs common to the genre.

According to Auto Express, the Speedster's base engine will be the same 1.6-liter turbocharged four cylinder that's standard in the Cooper S, and an optional John Cooper Works package would boost output past 200 ponies. Expect a six-speed manual sending power to the front wheels, although presumably an automatic will make the scene as well.

Unlike the current Cooper's cheeky, upright shape (dare we say, cute?), AE suggests that the Speedster model is likely to be lower and wider, with wheel arches filled to the brim with low-profile rubber. A power convertible top is likely and a removable hardtop is also rumored to be on the menu. Now... any chance BMW will fast-track this project past the planned CUV?

[Source: Auto Express]

Since the 2009 Audi A4's introduction last year, the number of sedans rolling off dealer lots equipped with the company's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four versus the 3.2-liter V6 has been nine-to-one. With almost 90% of all A4s equipped with the peppy, fuel-efficient and thoroughly entertaining four-pot, Audi has decided to cease offering the V6 on the A4 – along with the A3 and TT – for the 2010 model year.

"We're not backing away from the V6 strategy," Audi's U.S. Corporate Communications head, Bradley Stertz told Autoblog, "We're recalibrating our mix."

According to Stertz, Audi's rejiggered engine strategy has less to do with the slow-sales of the V6 and more to do with the brand's expanding lineup. With Audi's new supercharged V6 making its way to the States in the new S4, along with the introduction of the TT S and A3 TDI, the 3.2-liter's standing in the engine hierarchy was lessened. And with the 2.0-liter mill delivering the best bang-for-the-buck – not to mention placing Audi in the enviable position of being the only German luxury marque offering a four-cylinder in the U.S. – the automaker's new tactic should continue to pay-off on the sales front.

Guangzhou Honda surprised everyone at the Shanghai show with this tidy little roadster, its second Linian concept in as many years. While the 2008 Beijing show concept was a more pedestrian five-door, this two-seat droptop has us wishing for a proper S2000 successor.

Oh, one can quibble over some of the design details (oversized grille element, the showcar-only airplane yoke-style steering wheel, etc.), but fundamentally this is an interesting package.

Sadly, according to our compatriots at Autoblog Simplified Chinese, Honda's domestic partner was mum on specifics, including driveline configuration, powerplant, and so on. That said, the shape does look quite production friendly. Add in a stronger windshield header, some larger mirrors, and do away with that Knight Rider steering wheel, and the rest seems plausible enough.

Rest assured, we are angling for more information on this car as we speak, but for now, enjoy the possibilities... and the gallery below.



Photos copyright © 2009 IceBin / Weblogs, Inc
[Source: Autoblog Simplified Chinese]

While some might be celebrating in their own way (Ford to Hyundai: Let us know when you sell nine million Genesis Coupes), the Blue Oval is putting on a huge birthday bash for the Mustang's 45th anniversary. Over 2,500 Mustang enthusiasts, many of whom are driving cross country with their pony cars, are expected to attend four days of festivities at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the revelers will be nine original owners of 1964 1/2 Mustangs who still own their cars.

On the schedule is a huge cruise of 500 Mustangs, plenty of track time, car show, a Mustang Challenge race,and more. More details on the event can be found in the press release after the jump or by visiting www.MustangEvents.org, but be sure to check out Ford's Mustang timeline graphic in the gallery below.

Kei cars have a huge following in Japan and no model has benefited from the sub-sub-compact's cult status more than the Honda Beat. Originally introduced in 1991, the 64-hp Beat was a boon for enthusiasts on a budget, with a 660cc three-cylinder mounted amidships and delivering power to the rear wheels. When production ended over a decade ago, it left a gaping hole in Honda's line-up between the Zest and S2000, and if recent reports are to be believed, the situation will be rectified in 2011.

According to Best Car, Honda is hard at work on the Beat's successor, but unfortunately, the previous model's mid-engine layout and rear-wheel drive won't be employed on the next generation. Using the same platform and 660cc engine found underneath the Life and Zest, the next Beat's engine will be mounted up front, sending power to the front wheels. There's also talk of an all-wheel drive variant, but consumers in Japan shouldn't hold their breath. Pricing and a release date haven't been disclosed, but we wouldn't be surprised to find a Beat concept on the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show later this year.

[Source: 7Tune]

British design student has Ryan Skelley has created renderings of a two-seat electric roadster for 2025 that would commemorate the centennial of the 1925 Sunbeam Tiger land speed record car (see inset).

While the original Tiger used a V12 engine to hit a record 145 miles-per-hour, Skelley hypothesizes that his new concept would use lithium titanate batteries to power an electric motor and get to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds and reach a limited top-end of 160 mph. The range is also claimed to be 800 miles, although like all the other specs, this is purely theoretical... given the size of car, battery technology would have to make some huge advances over the next 15 years to achieve that kind of range.

The racy concept is also based on greener materials with the tubular frame made from recycled aluminum and the seats constructed of soy foam and biofabrics.


[Sources: Car Body Design; Sunbeam.org.au]

Ford has 45 years of Mustang domination under its belt, and the Dearborn, MI automaker wants to keep the streak alive by catering to every demographic from baby boomer motorheads to eight year-old girls. Sure, eight year-olds don't drive, but Ford wants to appeal to them with a new line of licensed merchandise called "Pony Girl for Mustang."

Ford will reportedly target two age groups for its new female-oriented Mustang gear: 8-12 and 13-16 year-old persuasion.The galloping horse will be prominent on everything from jewelery and cosmetics to home decor and apparel. Besides Ford's trademark Mustang emblem, the products will be adorned with more feminine decorations in the form of butterflies, flowers, and stars. If you're reading this and rolling your eyes, don't. Ford is happy to point out that according to its research, girls agse 8-16 pick the Mustang as their favorite car more than any other set of wheels on the road. If a Mustang branded glue stick t-shirt helps to foster more interest, then it can't be half bad, right?

You may be wondering why Ford would spend any time on toys and apparel when auto sales are in a tailspin. Ford brand director John Nens points out that branding gives Ford millions of dollars in low-effort revenue each year, with much of the work being done by toy and clothes manufacturers. He also pointed out to Horse Talk that Ford sold 160,000 Mustangs last year, and Mattel sold over one million.

[Source: Horse Talk]

In a story that's sure to surprise no one, France's L'Automobile magazine is reporting that the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS supercar will be available in Roadster form sometime in 2011. According to the report, the gull-wing SLS will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September and will go on sale in the spring of 2010. Like the 300SL inspiration, the SLS will be available in fixed-roof and drop-top guise, with both versions powered by an AMG-fettled 6.2-liter V8 putting out 571 hp. However, it's unclear whether M-B will utilize a folding hard-top or a more traditional canvas roof design.



[Source: L'Automobile]