Autoblog

Spy Shots: If this is it, the Mazda1 looks nothing like Kiyora concept

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Budget, Europe, Green, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mazda

UPDATE: This is not a prototype for the Mazda1, it is a Chinese-market Haima subcompact based on the Mazda2. Thanks to everyone who sent in the correction

When we were told that the Mazda Kiyora concept unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show would influence Mazda's coming city car, it looks like we overestimated the word "influence." At least, that's the case if the little Mazda caught in Evo's spy shots is actually the Mazda1.

Evo makes a compelling case for the car actually being the Mazda1 - not merely a revised Mazda2. Save for the ascending shoulder line (now moved to shoulder height, way above the rocker panels as on the Kiyora) the prototype has almost nothing in common with the design of the swoopy Paris beastlet. At the very least, we hope this car comes with the concept car's tech, but we won't know for certain until the car's expected launch at September's Frankfurt Auto Show.

[Source: Evo]

Spy Shots: If this is it, the Mazda1 looks nothing like Kiyora concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Citroen GT in motion... in Polish

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Citroën

Click above to see the GTbyCitroen in action

The GTby Citroen has had a short, busy life: from teaser renderings to its Paris Motor Show debut to rumors that Citroen might make the coupe - and then quickly to a denial. Now it is evidently running on European tarmac with a distinct high-powered wail. The commentary is entirely in Polish, but you don't need to understand the language to know that this is where the car looks its best: hugging the road at high speed. Follow the jump to check out the video. Thanks for the tip, Luzik!

Gallery: Paris 2008: GTbyCitroen Live

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Citroen GT in motion... in Polish

VIDEO: Citroen GT in motion... in Polish originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Peugeot 3008

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Peugeot

The 2010 Peugeot 3008 has been spotted in France wearing a scant amount of camouflage, and unless Peugeot is deceiving us, it looks just like the Prologue HyMotion4 Concept from the Paris Motor Show. Updating the sheetmetal of the 4007, this crossover Pug gets a much smoother grille treatment and a combination of lines and curves out back suitable for a display at MOMA. The interior isn't revolutionary, but it's expected to offer seating for five or seven and looks like it will hold up to consumers cross-shopping the Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan. Four-cylinder turbocharged engines are predicted to be sized at 1.6-liters, burning either gas or oil and driving two wheels at launch, with a four-wheel-drive variant offered down the line. Thanks for the tip, Jackob!

[Source: Autokrata]

Spy Shots: Peugeot 3008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini reveals Estoque interior for first time

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click above for more live shots of the Lamborghini Estoque concept's interior

At this point, we've seen nearly every possible angle of Lamborghini's latest raging bull, the Estoque, with one rather large exception: the interior. As a four-door sedan, the compromises one naturally expects from the Italian motor company's supercars are wholly unacceptable in this application, so there is naturally a sense of luxury inside the Estoque that's missing from the Gallardo and Murcielago. We can also see large paddle shifters for the e-gear transmission that are yanked straight from the Gallardo and plenty of two-tone grey and creamy white leather covering most every surface. Plus, there's a whole lot more space now for such pleasure-inducers as a Blu-ray player, in-cabin television and, um, legroom. Still, it's clear that this is a concept cockpit that was likely rushed to deadline for the Paris Motor Show. The buttons in the cockpit are all hard black plastic, which is not exactly fitting for a sister brand of Audi, an automaker that arguably sets the gold standard for interiors by which others are judged. Take a look at the Estoque's interior for yourself in our gallery below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque LIVE

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Lamborghini reveals Estoque interior for first time

Lamborghini reveals Estoque interior for first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear Magazine (sorta) reveals Aston Martin One-77

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Aston Martin, Rendered Speculation

The Paris Motor Show has given up its secrets, but that doesn't mean the teasing is over. Top Gear magazine has the story on the Aston Martin One-77, joined by what will probably be more tease-tastic renders. One thing that can be gleaned from the rendering on the TG microsite is the headlight layout, with an inner row of LEDs leading back to an array that includes at least one additional cluster of LEDs. The front end still looks a tad overwrought to us - and a little reminiscent of the GTbyCitroen - but we suppose we'll just have to get a copy of Top Gear before we vote with our thumbs.

[Source: Top Gear via Motor Gears]

Top Gear Magazine (sorta) reveals Aston Martin One-77 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Renault Megane III

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Renault

Click either image for high-res galleries of the Renault Megane III

Renault is stepping things up a notch. The French automaker has launched an aggressive campaign to refresh and broaden its lineup, including recent launches of the new Laguna, Twingo and Koleos, to name just a few. But this one will likely prove more important than all the others.

The Megane is Renault's bread and butter, competing in a dog-eat-dog segment against the likes of Volkswagen's new Golf and the popular European-spec Ford Focus. Diversity is part of Renault's plan of attack, planning to offer six different Megane bodystyles, each with its own distinct character. To start off, Renault launched the five-door hatchback and the sleek new coupe on its home turf here in Paris. Both represent striking departures from the models they replace, and the three-door cuts a particularly aggressive silhouette. Check out the images in the gallery below to see what we mean.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Renault Megane Coupe

Gallery: Paris 2008: Renault Megane III

Paris 2008: Renault Megane III originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Ford, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga Individual

When we put the production Ford Kuga next to its progenitor, the Iosis X show car, on our test drive in Belgium, we couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The Kuga is a fine looking cute-ute, but lacks the aggressive styling that made the Iosis X such a show stopper. Ford promised to close the gap a little with the Individual version of the Kuga, launched here in Paris.

The Kuga joins Individual versions of the Ford Mondeo, Fiesta, S-Max and Galaxy, offering overseas buyers a host of luxury options you'd normally find on higher-end automobiles. The interior trim in particular goes a long way towards addressing some of the incoherence we mentioned in our review as well. Along with the leather and stuff, the Kuga Individual gets a revised exterior package that evokes some of the touches from the concept car, like aluminum intake fascias, 20" wheels and ground effects. The latter gives the Kuga a more road-skimming look as opposed to the Iosis X's jacked-up stature, but it's a nice touch all the same. The best part, however, could be the new engine option: the same Volvo-sourced turbo five from the hot Focus ST, albeit detuned to 200hp. Check out the photos in the gallery below to see the updated Kuga Individual from the Paris show floor.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual

Gallery: Ford Kuga Individual

Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Fiat

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse

With the revival of the Abarth tuning division, Fiat is serious about motorsports. They've been racking up victories in the Intercontinental Rally Championship with the Punto, and have even been sponsoring Valentino Rossi's MotoGP Yamaha. And to drive the point home, while the "esseesse" (read: SS) version of the Cinquecento Abarth was the division's new reveal, it was this racing version, called the Assetto Corse, that took center stage.

The Assetto Corse is, of course, based on the same Fiat 500 that's been selling like adorable little hotcakes in every market it's hit so far. But the cute factor is gone, replaced by big air scoops, giant wings, roll cages and little scorpion badges everywhere. (And we do mean everywhere.) The little racing car that could is packed with a 1.4-liter 16-valve turbocharged four driving 190 hp through a six-speed shifter to the front set of 17" powder-coated white alloys hiding 4-piston Brembo calipers. The interior has a full roll cage and racing bucket, and an aggressive aero package sets the exterior apart from its street-bound progenitors. Check out the hotness for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Paris: Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse LIVE

Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Citroën, Specialty

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the Citroen 2CV by Hermes

There are a lot of big birthdays in the car industry this year, and the Citroen 2CV joins GM and Land Rover in the candle-blowing crowd. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the deux-say-vay, Hermes created a special version of a 1989 Citroen 2CV6 Special for the Paris Auto Show. If you saw the Bugatti Veryon by Hermes you know what to expect, with hand-stitched swathes of Hermes trademark gray-beige leather contrasted with white on the front and rear benches. Of course the Hermes treatment is worth as much as the car itself, but anything the 2CV lacks in luxury is more than made up for by character. Check out the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes

Continue reading Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes

Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Fiat 500 DIESEL - it's not what you think

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:11:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Fiat

Click above for more live shots of the Fiat 500 DIESEL

Perhaps it isn't the most interesting live reveal that took place in Paris, but we managed to get a few shots of the new Fiat 500 by DIESEL anyway. Yes, there is an optional 75-horsepower 1.3 Multijet diesel engine, complete with a particulate filter to keep things squeaky clean, but that's not why it's called the DIESEL edition. That moniker comes from the Italian clothing company, which lends its name and the styling talents of DIESEL head designer with a head Lars Schwartz. Outside, the 500 is painted in your choice of Green DIESEL, Brown DIESEL or Black DIESEL. Name recognition much? Surely the most striking bit of kit is inside, where the seats are upholstered in denim with contrasting stitching. Fortunately, the look is much more upscale than that of the Levi's Gremlins and Jeans Beetles of the '70s. Proof is in our complete gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Diesel edition LIVE

Gallery: Fiat 500 by DIESEL

Paris 2008: Fiat 500 DIESEL - it's not what you think originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Previous Gen Audi A4 Seat Exeo

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, SEAT

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the Seat Exeo

Our Spanish colleagues tell us that the Iberians are none too happy about SEAT grabbing a previous generation A4 out of the garbage bin to make a new sedan. Never mind the opportunity to make an easy(-ier) profit - something that would have any automaker quaking with giddyness right now - the word "Exeo" right now translates as "It just ain't right!" Those of you who have seen the previous A4 won't be surprised by anything here, except perhaps the richness and quality of the suede interior. We can assure you it was impressive. The mirror housings are neat, too, but standard fare for SEAT. Based on the approval ratings of the old A4 by the time it retired, our guess is that new customers the Exeo is meant to attract won't be disappointed that they found their way to SEAT through these four doors. Check out the press release that makes the old new again after the jump, and our gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: SEAT Exeo

Gallery: SEAT Exeo

Continue reading Paris 2008: ~~Previous Gen Audi A4~~ Seat Exeo

Paris 2008: ~~Previous Gen Audi A4~~ Seat Exeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Toyota's new Avensis arrives

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Toyota

Click above for high-res gallery of the new Toyota Avensis

The Euro-only Toyota Avensis is reminiscent of the Lexus IS350 in the same way that you'd tell someone, "You kind of look like someone I know, but not really." It's the rising linear sideline, somewhat high and compact profile, and squared-off rear that do it. But that's from a full-on side profile and around the back. Move around the front and it really just looks like a Toyota. The raked grille and molded lips in the front bumper are unexpected, as is the subtle sexiness of the wagon. Designed in France, the new Avensis grows a little over its predecessor by 5 cm in length and width. Under the hood, possibilities include three new Valvematic gasoline engines, and two diesels, while cogs can be swapped with a 6-speed manual or the dual-mode, Multidrive S automatic. Check out the exhaustive press release after the jump, and the high-res gallery of photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Toyota Avensis

Continue reading Paris 2008: Toyota's new Avensis arrives

Paris 2008: Toyota's new Avensis arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Lexus

Click above to watch video after the jump

It's always fun to see the engineering behind hard top convertibles. The latest member of the breed comes from Lexus in the form of the 2009 IS250C. This new derivative of the IS250 sedan sports a three-piece aluminum roof that retracts in a "world's fastest" 20 seconds. Video proof of the event taking place has been released and we've embedded it after the break. The new 250C's most logical competitor comes from BMW, whose 3 Series convertible features a folding hard top of its very own. When the new Lexus goes on sale next summer in Europe, followed shortly thereafter in the United States, it will offer buyers a replacement for the expensive SC 430, which is set to make a graceful exit from the marketplace in short order.

Gallery: 2009 Lexus IS250C LIVE

[Source: Paultan]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top

VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4 diesel hybrid concept

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Green, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Peugeot

Click above for high-res gallery of the Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4

Peugeot has been showing diesel hybrid concepts at auto shows for the past several years, and the latest is the new Prologue HYmotion4. Unlike the previous versions that were based on the 307 and 308 C-segment hatchbacks, the Prologue is an all-new vehicle. Also unlike the previous concepts that used a hybrid system where the engine and electric motor ran in parallel on the same axle, this one uses the company's new HYmotion4 system like the RC concept we showed you earlier today. And unlike the four-door coupe RC, the crossover-bodied Prologue flips the powertrain arrangement front to back. The CUV has a 163-hp 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel twisting the front wheels while a 27 kW motor sends torque to the rear axle. The combined output when both the diesel and motor are running is 200 hp with 221 lb-ft going to the front wheels and 148 lb-ft to the back. Like the RC concept, front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive modes are available. Since rear-drive is electric only and the motor output only 27 kW, that mode is only available up to 30 mph. The diesel engine up front sends power through an automated 6-speed manual gearbox that allows for manual shifting. Peugeot also claims the electric motor is activated during shifts to provide uninterrupted power flow and smoother operation. Whereas the RC concept uses lithium-ion batteries, the Prologue uses a cheaper nickel-metal hydride battery pack sitting under the rear seat. Altogether, the Prologue is claimed to achieve 57.4 mpg (U.S.) with carbon dioxide output of 109 g/km.

Gallery: 2008 Paris: Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4 diesel hybrid concept

[Source: Peugeot]

Paris 2008: Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4 diesel hybrid concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze LT

The Chevrolet Cruze is three kinds of car: small, American and important. And with the state of General Motors, it isn't even the individual words that mean the most: it's whether The General can combine them into a reliable, fuel efficient and cost effective package. True, we don't get to drive these things while they're parked under the lights, but to have a seat in the Cruze is to imagine a GM that begs the question, "Where was all this before the meltdown?" The studio imagery we've seen so far translates nicely into real life, and the center console looks and feels substantial - in fact, it looks like it could be foreign - even if the silver mesh treatment in the show car was a bit much. The car has a compact yet full-bodied stance, and will probably look even better on the road in a color other than scarlet, and not under klieg lights. Spring of '09 will welcome this first Cruze variant to Europe, after which other regions will get it, as well as a probable hatchback and wagon. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder that charts up to 140 hp and is said to return 40 mpg. Have a look at the high-res gallery of live shots below to get a better idea of what to expect when the Cruze goes on sale here in a couple years.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze LT LIVE

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Live shots of the Ford Focus RS

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

Click above for more live shots of the Ford Focus RS in Paris

Ford's new Focus RS has made its second European debut and we've managed to snag some live shots of the new car on the stand. Covered in Ultra Green paint as it is, we could hardly miss it. The new hue is meant to be "a modern interpretation of the 1970's Ford Le Mans Green." In that case, perhaps it should be called Grabber Green? Powered by a turbocharged Duratec 2.5L five-cylinder producing about 300 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs of torque, the new Focus RS is the fastest European Ford ever produced and can hit 60 mph in under six seconds. Front-wheel drive was chosen in lieu of all-wheel as the Blue Oval's 'RevoKnuckle' front suspension system along with the Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential is said to remove all traces of torque steer. Expect to see the new Focus RS in European dealerships sometime in 2009.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Focus RS LIVE

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

Paris 2008: Live shots of the Ford Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Concept gets 52.3 mpg

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Peugeot, Paris Motorcycle Show

Click above for high-res gallery of the Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Concept

The RC HYmotion4 concept is one of several hybrid concepts using a new through-the-road hybrid system being shown in Paris by Peugeot and Citroen. Unlike the hybrid systems used by current production vehicles, this one has no direct mechanical connection between the electric and internal combustion drive systems. The Peugeot RC has a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder in the back driving the rear wheels with 218 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, while additional propulsion comes from a 70 kW electric motor situated between the front wheels. This way, the RC can operate in either rear-, front- or all-wheel-drive modes. That means it can also operate using internal combustion, electric only or blended modes, respectively. The 3,141-lb four-door coupe accelerates from 0-62 mph in just four seconds when both gasoline and electricity are flowing. The electrons are stored in a lithium-ion battery pack of indeterminate size, but having the electric motor at the front instead of the rear axle means that more kinetic energy can be recaptured through regenerative braking. According to Peugeot, the RC can get 52.3 mpg and output CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km. It's a trick system for sure, but there's no word on whether it's ever going to be produced.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Peugeot RC HYmotion4 concept

[Source: Peugeot]

Paris 2008: Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Concept gets 52.3 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of SLR 722 Roadster pics

Certain cars encourage a response that is as routine and predictable as the reaction to a stoplight, and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is one of those cars. This is what happens every time someone gets in one, irrespective of their age, sex, or nationality: she snuggles into the seat, looks into the footwell to make sure her feet are placed just so on the pedals, slides her hands around the steering wheel for a couple of seconds to find just the right position, snuggles into the seat again... and then she just sits there, staring off into the distance. She might flip the paddles once or twice, or check out the center console. Then it's back to the thousand yard stare at the wall in front of her. She gets her picture taken, notices the line of people waiting to do the same thing, and it's all repeated again and again. And for good reason - the SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is topless testosterone-topped terrificality. 650 horsepower from a supercharged 5.5L V8 and a convertible soft top that'll stay put above 208 mph deserves the attention. You can check out the specs after the jump, or better yet, go straight to the gallery of high-res images below that we snapped in between the line of people waiting to sit in it.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Continue reading Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Soul

The Scion xB may have written the book on small-and-boxy, but it appears that Kia may add another volume to the work with the Soul. We have no idea how the new Soul will go on the road, or how it will hold up - either materially or financially - but taking a seat in the giant shoe on wheels was a revelation. For a car that isn't expected to cost too much, the details alone would almost have to be worth the price: the chunky moldings around the grille and bumper, the contrasting surrounds for the headlights and contrasting panels for the doors, the gearshift knob housing a ball within a plexiglass ball, the court jester seats. And when we put the driver's seat all the way back, we could sit in the back seat without our legs touching anything else. And we're not short. If the Soul can mind its manners on the road, there's no reason it shouldn't go straight to sales heaven. Get the scoop on the Soul after the jump, and the check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Kia Soul

Continue reading Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse

Noah Joseph — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Fiat

Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse

Abarth, the high-performance wing of Fiat, got to finally unveil its hotted up version of the 500 hatch at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 500 Abarth esseesse (that's "SS" in Italian) takes Fiat's throwback three-door and adds a road-hugging ground effects kit with a new lower front fascia, Abarth-spec 17-inch white wheels, a lowered sport suspension and, most importantly, a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder producing 160 hp and a peak torque rating of 170 lb-ft in "sport mode". We thought Abarth would fit the 500 esseesse with a six-speed transmission, but the specs reveal that it will be one cog short with a five-speed manual. Still, Abarth claims it will claw its way to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 131 mph. Performance specs aside, we bet drag racing and runs to the rev limiter aren't half as much fun in the 500 esseesse as simply dashing down a twisty mountain pass.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse LIVE

Continue reading Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse

Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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