Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Reader Spy: Nearly undisguised next-gen Hyundai Sonata snapped in Dubai!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/reader-spy-nearly-undisguised-next-gen-hyundai-sonata-snapped-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/reader-spy-nearly-undisguised-next-gen-hyundai-sonata-snapped-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/reader-spy-nearly-undisguised-next-gen-hyundai-sonata-snapped-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2011 Hyundai Sonata spy shots - Click above for image gallery

One of our loyal readers was vacationing in Dubai when he happened upon this nearly undisguised and totally unattended 2011 Hyundai Sonata mule. Sammy_R-Gti of assayarat.com explains that he was driving around on vacation and stopped to observe mid-day prayer at a mosque. When he emerged from said house of prayer, he spied the car parked outside of a neighboring spa resort (perhaps some engineers were taking a much-deserved break?), and our man was able to rattle off the photos seen here. Because Sammy_R-Gti (correctly) figured that whoever was with the car probably wouldn't want him photographing their quarry, our man didn't have time to take it all in, but he did gain perhaps the best look yet at Hyundai's pivotal new sedan.

As expected, the roofline and short rear deck indicates that the Korean automaker is going for a much more rakish look, adopting the 'four-door coupe' aesthetic that is so in vogue these days. Unlike earlier spy shots, Sammy has managed to score an almost completely undisguised look at the car's Lexus ES350-like headlamps and its simple three-bar front grille, as well as new details about the sheetmetal's contouring. Judging by the fact that this prototype was fitted with relatively high-profile tires and modestly sized steel wheels with covers, we're guessing that it is a base model.

Check out the gallery of images below. Thanks for the shots, Sammy!


Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata - spy shots


[Source: Sammy_R-Gti of assayyarat.com]

Reader Spy: Nearly undisguised next-gen Hyundai Sonata snapped in Dubai! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Hyundai2011 Hyundai Sonata2011 sonata2011Hyundai2011HyundaiSonata2011Sonatadubaifour door coupefour-door coupeFour-doorCoupeFourDoorCoupehyundaihyundai sonataHyundaiSonatasonataspy shotspy shotsSpyShotSpyShotsWed, 08 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/forget-playing-it-safe-meet-the-volvo-sc90-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/forget-playing-it-safe-meet-the-volvo-sc90-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/forget-playing-it-safe-meet-the-volvo-sc90-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view the Volvo SC90 concept in high resolution

The four-door coupe segment has been sweeping across the industry, blurring the line between sportscar and sedan with such tantalizing examples as the Aston Martin Rapide, Mercedes CLS, BMW CS concept... and heck, why not, even the Porsche Panamera (somebody probably likes it). Volvo may not be the kind of company that easily jumps on bandwagons, preferring to stick to station wagons instead, but what if the Swedish automaker that made its reputation on safety were to go head-to-head with these super-sedans? One answer could be the S60 Concept the company just unveiled in Detroit, but as much attention as that show car garnered, what you see here is an even more convincing take on the theme: meet the Volvo SC90 design study.

Conceived by Volvo designer Nouphone J. Bansasine while undertaking an internship at the company in the summer of 2007, the SC90 concept cuts a striking silhouette that only gets "more complex and fresh [on the] second read." Far more aggressive and sharply-styled than anything we've seen from Volvo before, our only beef with the SC90 is that it exists only on paper. With the company's future in jeopardy and car sales down around the world, now may not be the time to introduce a car like this... but then again, considering that the upper end of the market continues to grow, may now's the perfect time. We'll run with that one. Check out the images in the gallery and the video after the jump to see all the angles.

Gallery: Volvo SC90 design study


[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept

Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bansasinefour door coupefour-door coupeFour-doorCoupeFourDoorCoupeNouphoneNouphone J. BansasineNouphoneJ.Bansasinevolvovolvo carsvolvo conceptvolvo designvolvo scvolvo sc90volvo sc90 conceptvolvo sc90 design studyVolvoCarsVolvoConceptVolvoDesignVolvoScVolvoSc90VolvoSc90ConceptVolvoSc90DesignStudyThu, 15 Jan 2009 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the Jaguar XFR Bonneville car

In its spare time while reinventing the company and settling in with a new owner, Jaguar's boffins somehow found time to take their new XFR to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a top speed run last November.

The Paul Gentilozzi-driven XFR had been modified with the appropriate safety gear (roll cage, fire suppression system, etc.), along with a sizable low-mounted rear spoiler and a derestricted ECU that allowed the supercharger to yield around 600 horsepower thanks to a bit more boost. So-equipped, the 503-horsepower sedan blew through the double-ton to top out at 225.675 miles-per-hour, solidly trouncing the previous Jaguar land speed record of 217.1 mph set by an XJ220 at Nardo back in 1992 with Martin Brundle at the wheel. For reference, the standard XFR is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Incredibly, the Bonneville run was completed on stock Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, and the Rocketsports-prepared XFR was still registering a bit of wheelspin at that speed. Check out the high-res, high-speed gallery below and the press release after the jump.

UPDATE: Video of the XFR in Bonneville added after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer


Gallery: Detroit 2009: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!

Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>200 MPH200Mphbonnevillebonneville salt flatsbonneville speed weekBonnevilleSaltFlatsBonnevilleSpeedWeekdry lake bedDryLakeBedfour door coupeFourDoorCoupeJagJaguarLSRtop speedTopSpeedXFXFRMon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Porsche Panamera to officially debut at Shanghai show in April]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/porsche-panamera-to-make-public-debut-at-shanghai-show-in-april/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/porsche-panamera-to-make-public-debut-at-shanghai-show-in-april/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/porsche-panamera-to-make-public-debut-at-shanghai-show-in-april/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Porsche Panamera

Underscoring the continued importance that automakers are placing on the Chinese market (especially in this difficult economic environment), Porsche has made it official that the new Panamera will debut in the Middle Kingdom in April. Porsche's new four door hatchback coupe/sedan gran turismo thingy will get its first public showing at the Shanghai Motor Show from April 20-28. In spite of its controversial looks, the Panamera should not be wanting for performance. Direct injected engines ranging from the Volkswagen 3.6-liter V6 up to 500 horsepower turbo V8 from the Cayenne will be available.

Backing up the engines will be a choice of 6-speed manual and 7-speed PDK dual clutch gearboxes, with power going to either the rear or both axles. At some point in the next couple of years, Porsche will add its hybrid system to the Panamera as well. Now, if they would just do something about the humpback looks, we might be able to get excited about its arrival. Click on the gallery below or hit the jump to view Porsche's official press release.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche Panamera


[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche Panamera to officially debut at Shanghai show in April

Porsche Panamera to officially debut at Shanghai show in April originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutoShanghaifour door coupeFour-door coupeFour-doorCoupeFourDoorCoupeporscheporsche panameraPorschePanamerashanghaishanghai 2009Shanghai Autoshanghai auto showshanghai motor showShanghai2009ShanghaiAutoShanghaiAutoShowShanghaiMotorShowMon, 05 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Rear of production Aston Martin Rapide shown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/rear-of-production-aston-martin-rapide-shown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/rear-of-production-aston-martin-rapide-shown/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/rear-of-production-aston-martin-rapide-shown/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for two larger renderings of the production Aston Martin Rapide
A few weeks ago we showed you what we believed to be the first official rendering of the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide four-door sports sedan. That image showed the front three-quarter view of this British beauty. We told you at the time that there was another image allegedly out there that was waiting for a January release. Well, Christmas has come early.

Today we bring you the rear three-quarter shot of this much-anticipated Porsche Panamera rival. This view shows the dramatic sweeping glass roof that carries right down into the rear glass. The tail looks a lot like that on the Vantage, but when you have family genes like those of Aston Martin, that's not a bad thing. We still expect that the Rapide will be powered by a tuned version of the corporate 6.0L V12 producing 500bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque. That should be more than enough to rapidly scoot the Rapide to an anticipated v-max of 180 mph. We can't wait to see it in the flesh.

Gallery: Production Aston Martin Rapide


[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Rear of production Aston Martin Rapide shown originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martin rapideAston Martin sedanAstonMartinRapideAstonMartinSedanfour door coupefour door sports carFourDoorCoupeFourDoorSportsCarrapideFri, 12 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Lamborghini planning to put Estoque into production ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/lamborghini-planning-to-put-estoque-into-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/lamborghini-planning-to-put-estoque-into-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/lamborghini-planning-to-put-estoque-into-production/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Lamborghini Estoque concept

Emerging reports indicate that Lamborghini is currently in negotiations with the suits at its corporate superior Volkswagen to put the Estoque into production. The four-door Lamborghini concept was unveiled last month at the Paris show after a drawn-out parade of teasers, but with no actual engine unde-hood and little in the way of specifications revealed, most surmised that the Estoque was just a flash-in-the-pan publicity gimmick. Not so, according to the company's R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani, who confirmed to British weekly Autocar that the company is in the process of making a business case to the VW executive board. If approved, the Estoque could hit showrooms by late 2011 with a UK sticker quoted at around £150k, which lies in between the Gallardo's £135k British list price and the Murcielago's £220k.

To make financial sense, the Estoque would have to borrow heavily from the corporate parts bin, but Reggiani was quick to dismiss speculation that the Estoque would share its platform with any current or next-generation Audi. So what would provide the power, you ask? A re-tuned version of the Gallardo LP560-4's direct-injection V10, optimized for usability at the slight expense of peak output and driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox -- another first for Lamborghini. Also under consideration for the Estoque are hybrid and diesel V8 options, noting that the concept car's platform was designed to accommodate a variety of engines.

Wait a second, a diesel hybrid automatic four-door Lamborghini? What's going on in Sant'Agata since Porsche took over in Wolfsburg? Nothing all that unusual for the company that started out making tractors and even produced a HUMMER rival for a while. But with the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide on the way, the market for the four-door exotic super-coupe could be the new premium battlefield.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque LIVE


[Source: Autocar]

Lamborghini planning to put Estoque into production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>estoquefour door coupefour door lamborghiniFourDoorCoupeFourDoorLamborghinilamborghinilamborghini conceptlamborghini estoquelamborghini estoque conceptLamborghiniConceptLamborghiniEstoqueLamborghiniEstoqueConceptThu, 06 Nov 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Hyundai developing 4-door coupe?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/spy-shots-hyundai-developing-4-door-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/spy-shots-hyundai-developing-4-door-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/spy-shots-hyundai-developing-4-door-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The oxymoronic term 'four door coupe' has been thrown around a lot in the past few years, beginning with the seminal Mercedes-Benz CLS. While the Mazda RX-8, with its reverse-opening rear doors, may fit the bill a bit more accurately, the genre is primarily comprised of long and low sedans with deeply plunging roof lines.

Pretty as they may be, these cars aren't the most practical choices for every day transportation, but they are proving popular enough that newcomers such as Volkswagen and now Hyundai are testing the waters with more mainstream vehicles. The Korean automaker's entry appears to be based on the Sonata mid-sizer and would likely be equipped with the same powertrain options as its less fashionable sibling. A budget model with a similar silhouette as more high priced offerings could be a winner and we hope something along these slinky lines could be on the drawing board using the Genesis sedan's underpinnings.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Hyundai developing 4-door coupe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>four door coupefour door sedanFourDoorCoupeFourDoorSedanhyundaihyundai coupehyundai sonatahyundai sonata coupeHyundaiCoupeHyundaiSonataHyundaiSonataCoupeTue, 21 Oct 2008 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide 'Ring battle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



To the 'Ring we go, and our companions today are -- in the apt words of World Car Fans -- "beauty and the beast." That would be the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. We'll let you decide which one deserves which title. Follow the link and you'll find a large gallery of both cars in basic black, un-camo'ed and racing each other around the 'Ring to help cast your vote.

In practical considerations, the Panamera looks to have the Rapide beat in all kinds of ways. For instance, it should get better gas mileage if you get the V6 or V8, and it has more trunk space with 450 liters. Aston's cars have little trunk syndrome, and the Rapide probably won't really change that. But hey, who would buy a Panamera or Rapide for practical reasons? Either way, we won't really know the state of things until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next March when they are officially introduced.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide 'Ring battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4 door coupe4DoorCoupeaston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapidefour door coupeFourDoorCoupepanameraporscheporsche panameraPorschePanamerarapidesedansedansFri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Will this be the new Audi A7?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/rendered-speculation-will-this-be-the-new-audi-a7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/rendered-speculation-will-this-be-the-new-audi-a7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/rendered-speculation-will-this-be-the-new-audi-a7/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We recently gave you details and showed you spy shots of Audi's forthcoming A7 four-door "coupe". Not much could be gleaned from the photos though, with the car looking much more like a sport camel than a sport sedan. A year ago, CAR magazine was passing out renderings of the A7 based on information it was getting from insiders. Their images were of an impossibly sleek -- and quite good looking -- stealthmobile that substituted a huge hatch for a trunk. Auto Express has new renderings of the car, and it maintains all the spirit of the CAR originals. It's still red and impossibly sleek, with a reptilian, evil eye front end treatment that says "Yeah, I'm lookin' at you..." We've been examining the wheel wells on the spy shots to see if they could really fit wheels as big as those on the rendering -- and we can't say for sure either way. If the 600-hp RS7 variant comes on feet that big, it'll be a serious looking car indeed. However, unless that rear end is hiding a hatch, you won't able to fit anything in the trunk except two-by-fours.

Gallery: 2010/11 Audi A7 - spy shots


[Source: Auto Express via German Car Blog]

Rendered Speculation: Will this be the new Audi A7? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a7audiaudi a7AudiA7four door coupeFourDoorCoupers7sedansedanssport sedansport sedansSportSedanSportSedansFri, 20 Jun 2008 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Ford working on four-door Mondeo coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/09/rumormill-ford-working-on-four-door-mondeo-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/09/rumormill-ford-working-on-four-door-mondeo-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/09/rumormill-ford-working-on-four-door-mondeo-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems most car buyers today have decided that the aesthetic advantages of the two-door coupe body style are not worth the ergonomic hassles of getting in and out of the back seat. To remedy that issue, most every automaker has or very soon will introduce a car with a coupe-like profile and extra doors to ease ingress/egress. This design trend runs the gamut from mainstream models like the VW Passat CC to near exotics like the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. Ford apparently doesn't want to miss out on this potentially profitable trend and may create a four-door coupe based on the best selling Mondeo.

If this rendering from CAR is anything by which to judge, the Mondeo coupe will take Kinetic design to a new extreme with a low profile greenhouse, frameless windows, and rear-door openings that are almost certain to induce some concussions. As the premium Mondeo (if indeed it wears that badge), it will get all the techno goodness one would expect of such a car in the 21st century. It may also carry a variant of the 2.7L diesel V6 that Ford has previously installed in Jaguars. Interestingly, the article also mentions AdBlue, which is the urea injection system used to reduce NOx emissions of diesel engines. If Ford adds urea injection, this engine could likely pass U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions and could even come to the States someday.

[Source: CAR]

Rumormill: Ford working on four-door Mondeo coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>four door coupeFourDoorCoupemondeomondeo coupemondeo four-door coupeMondeoCoupeMondeoFour-doorCoupepremium mondeoPremiumMondeoMon, 09 Jun 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy shots: Volkswagen Passat CC "coupe"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/14/spy-shots-volkswagen-passat-cc-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/14/spy-shots-volkswagen-passat-cc-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/14/spy-shots-volkswagen-passat-cc-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With the imminent arrival of the new coupe-shaped Volkswagen Passat at the Geneva Motor Show and the recently launched teaser site for the budget CLS competitor, it was only a matter of time before more detailed spy shots found their way onto the Web.

The artic white mule was caught undergoing testing in the chilly clime of Finland with its upmarket Mercedes rival. The front end struck us as particularly Lexus-like, aping the Japanese GS model with lights inset between the grille and the headlamps, and carrying a similar theme throughout the air dams. Whether all those elements will make it to production, or are merely camo to confound spy photogs, remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, the profile proves to be more last-gen Accord then Benz-beating chic, although judging from the awkwardly shaped rear window, we doubt that the back end will remain as staid when it graces the V-Dub show stand in March.

Click the pic above to check out several shots of the Passat "coupe" in action.

[Source: Auto Channel]

Spy shots: Volkswagen Passat CC "coupe" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clscoupefour door coupeFourDoorCoupemercedesmercedes benz clsMercedesBenzClspassatvolkswagenvolkswagen passat coupevolkswagen passat four door coupeVolkswagenPassatCoupeVolkswagenPassatFourDoorCoupevwvw passat four door coupeVwPassatFourDoorCoupeFri, 14 Dec 2007 15:27:00 EST