Autoblog

Hydrogen has been touted as a viable fuel source for decades, and seemingly every day, some new or upcoming hydrogen-powered milestone is reached or discussed. However, in nearly every case, hydrogen is being touted as a standalone fuel source. But what about using pure hydrogen mixed with gasoline to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions?

Ronn Motors, of Texas, has built a car it claims will do does just that. Called the Scorpion, the engine is a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder VTEC from Acura, equipped with two turbos and an intercooler to take it from 280 hp to 450 hp. The turbo'd six is connected to an on-demand hydrogen system that breaks down water molecules and holds them in a non-pressurized tank which doesn't necessitate the need for a hydrogen refueling station. The hydrogen is drawn through the intake manifold and between 30 and 40 percent hydrogen is mixed with the gasoline. As less gas is used, Ronn Motors says the Scorpion can do 40 mpg.

DuPont Registry just named the Scorpion a Publisher's Choice as "one of America's first premium eco-exotics." True, the Tesla might be more eco, but to our eyes the Scorpion (rendering) has got the exotic thing properly nailed. But when can you get one? According to Ronn, the car will be out this fall. And when you want to get it off the lot, the 2,100-pound Scorpion will supposedly take you to 60 in no more than 3.5 seconds. Ronn will probably even throw in a full tank of gas... and water. You'll need to provide the take-home money: $150,000. Click the link to get the full story, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: Ronn Motors Scorpion

[Source: Ronn Motors]

The noise of other sports car makers getting their lunches eaten sounds just like the twelve cylinder engine in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS. A single RS sheep was caught in Italy's Stelvio Pass, being shepherded by a DBS. This Vantage RS gets some shinier wheels and a coat of delicious black paint, but otherwise, it looks like it's ready for the showroom floor. If anything could be cooler than a 600 hp Vantage packing twelve hi-rev punches, it's the DBS... but frankly, the jury's still out until we drive both of them (hint, Aston Martin...). Follow the link to check out the spy shots, and check out the gallery of hi-res pics below. Thanks for the tip, Des!


[Source: GT Spirit]

The 2009 Jaguar XK-R has been spotted and shot doing the rounds in Europe. With so many other pots on the boil, like the XF-R and the new XJ, the XK-R is going the subtle route when it comes to changes. Up front, new intakes will be fitted under the headlights, while out back LED tail lights will be fitted in place of the standard units. One change we are most excited to hear about is the swap from a telescoping aerial to a shark fin on the deck lid. On the convertible, the raised aerial caused all kinds of wind noise, which, frankly, was unacceptable on a $100K car. Inside you'll find, ta-da, Jaguar Drive. The final version of Jaguar's hottest kitten will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show.

[Source: World Car Fans]

A forum member over at Fresh Alloy has posted scanned pics of the coming Nissan 370Z from a Japanese magazine, and it looks like things are going to get a lot curvier. It appears that the hood-to-fender dip on the current car remains on the new Z. However, at the front of those fenders appears a set of LED headlights unlike anything else on the road. And in one inset photo -- though we have no idea if it represents anything more substantial than fancy -- a redone front features a smaller center scoop flanked by much more aggressive fender vents.

There are some fuzzier interior shots as well, and the three gauges atop the center console look to be placed in much deeper cowls than the current car. According to Alloy moderator Jawad, the car will come with the same 3.7L V6 that debuted in the Infiniti G37 with the same horsepower and be announced in November, which probably means an LA Auto Show unveil is in the works. Thanks for the tip, Lester and Kn1ves!

[Source: Fresh Alloy, Response.jp]

How much MINI is too much MINI? Can there be such a thing as a MINI monster? Latest word from a "high level source" is the suggestion that the next possible MINI iteration could be a coupe. That's right, a coupe. Specifically, as phrased by the source, "What if MINI instead produced a low-slung and sleek small coupe, not unlike the ACV 30 concept car from 1997?" (The car pictured above.)

BMW wants more MINIs, and clearly, the way they're being swiped off lots, buyers want more MINIs -- but a new 2-door MINI that's a sleeker (read: even smaller) version of the current 2-door MINI? The Clubman hasn't gone on sale yet, the SUV hasn't even been finalized, and the next brand new version is already "on the table." We don't doubt it would sell, but it seems to be, if not overkill, then cannibalizing overlap. And forgive us for saying so, but as much as we enjoy the MINI, they are becoming the automotive equivalent of tribbles.

At the very least, someone please tell MINI not to take any cues from the car above, which should be allowed to close its rally-inspired bug eyes and rest its lumps forever in peace in a dark Bavarian warehouse.

[Source: Motoring File]

Hyundai has proven to the world it can build high-quality and reliable cars that rival mainstream brands like Toyota and Chevy. Now it wants to prove it can build an iconic sports car to boost its image and say to the world that Hyundai is exciting and dynamic. Speaking at last week's Sydney Motor Show, Hyundai's general manager of European design Raphael Bretecher revealed a desire to launch such a car.

"As a car designer I would like to make the icon, that is obvious," he said. "But this company looks at what is most profitable and that is what must be delivered first." Bretecher used Audi's TT as an example of what he envisaged a modern icon should be and explained how that one car embodies the entire Audi philosophy.

The only problem is convincing bosses back in Korea to think along the same lines. Another issue bosses need convincing of is creating a new global look for Hyundai, something Bretecher admits will take some time to implement. Pictured above is the Veloster concept car, which was displayed in Sydney. The concept was designed in Korea and gives a clue as to a new look that could unify future Hyundai designs.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Toyota did so well for so long with its sports cars and sporty cars that it's a wonder they gave up the market. Now it seems they're asking themselves the same question. Kazuo Okamoto, executive VP of R&D, said the company wants to try sports cars again, citing the need to build "more appealing products" with a dash more "fun to drive" factored in.

Now that the MR2 is officially retired, it is difficult to believe that Toyota will leave its sports car cred (and cash) on the table for Lexus to mop up. While not admitting any concrete plans to build such a car, Toyota's been teasing folks with the FT-HS since it was revealed at Detroit earlier this year. If they actually do turn it into a Supra -- and a hybrid one at that -- we, for one, would be delighted to see something slow down the Camry-ization of Toyota's lineup.

[Source: Auto Week]

In the pit lane, Jean Todt is known for saying little and saying it curtly when he does. It seems nearly every time Speed TV attempts to interview him before a race, he waves the camera off and returns to his charges. In his role as CEO of Ferrari, however, he appears to be quite a bit more loquacious. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he practically said more in one sitting than he has in 14 years as manager of the Scuderia.

Chief among his revelations was that "Ferrari has never considered a four-door car." Many Ferrari fans will find this heartening news in an age of once-restrained brands oozing into every segment possible. In the same interview, nevertheless, Todt says that "we must pay attention to everything that is happening in our business." With the 4-door-super-sedan-slash-GT trend having climbed the social ladder all the way to Aston Martin's rung, it could be wondered whether Ferrari will continue to keep the doors closed on any sedan considerations.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Audi was being so coy about its new TT when it launched a minisite devoted to the coupe that teased us with brief glimpses of the car’s design. So much for being coy. The next TT from Audi has been caught in the wild with little camo to clutter our view of the gorgeous coupe.

The front end of the new TT mixes Audi’s new corporate face for production models with the fanciful expression of the Shooting Brake Concept that appeared last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. The squinty headlights and gaping grille are there, as are headlights that look lifted from a Bentley Continental GT.

The real TT will stand up on April 6th when it’s officially unveiled by Audi.