Autoblog

click above for 31 high-res images of the BMW M3 Convertible

BMW wasn't planning on releasing the M3 convertible just yet. It had its hands full with the production X6 crossover and those new-fangled turbodiesels the company unveiled at the Detroit show. The M3 drop-top wasn't supposed to debut until March at the Geneva show. But the Bavarian automaker evidently took a decidedly un-German "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude when initial images and details leaked out. Rather than trying to hold the dam together, BMW has decided to join us for a swim and let the floodgates open on its new V8 hard-top convertible.

As exciting and versatile package it is, the real news here is BMW's new M DCT twin-clutch gearbox that stands in for the previous SMG transmission, which had its fair share of haters. The rest we already know from the M3 coupe and the more plebian 3-Series convertible. Unfortunately, the glorious M-tuned V8 is bogged down by an extra 450 lbs. of folding metal and electric motors, but that's the price you pay (on top of what promises to be a heart-attack-inducing sticker price) for the option of taking in the sunshine and that delicious exhaust note without sacrificing the security of a tin top. Swapping cogs at lightning speed, though, should help mitigate the half second the convertible loses on the coupe.

Check out the images in the gallery below and the full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Click on the image to view in high-resolution

In advance of its public unveiling at the Geneva show in March, and after releasing a teaser photo, Volkswagen's Czech subsidiary Skoda has additional photos and details on its upcoming new flagship.

The aptly-named Superb is based on the Volkswagen Passat platform, though stretched out to offer more space. Its range of features includes direction-changing headlights, a new electronic climate control system, and automatic parking assist. Compared with the model it replaces, the new Superb grows another 35mm longer and 18mm wider, but hunkers down 8mm lower and shrinks in wheelbase by 42mm, actually increasing the overhangs contrary to industry trends.

The Superb also wears its own unique bodywork and badging, but like all top-of-the-line Czech models, the best view is around back where the Skoda features a useful hatchback setup. Motivation comes from a range of six engine options – three gasoline and three diesels – topping out with a 260-hp 3.2-liter V6. A five- or six-speed manual will come standard depending on which engine is chosen, but the Superb will also have an available DSG twin-clutch transmission option.

Although the new Superb doesn't come across as the most exciting thing goin' down in Switzerland this coming March, it appears Skoda put together a surprisingly good package.

[Source: Skoda]

McLaren is one of the most successful race teams in Formula One, but unlike rival Ferrari, it doesn't make many road cars. Its current supercar, the Mercedes SLR McLaren, was a relative disappointment, particularly when judged against the impossibly high yardstick of its predecessor, the McLaren F1, which remains one of the quickest, fastest and all-around best-performing supercars of all time. So when the Woking, England-based firm announced the development of the P11, potential customers began calling the factory, which has already taken dozens of orders long before the car has even been unveiled.

British magazine CAR claims to have the inside line on the supercar, having spoken with some of the engineers working on the project – McLaren is said to be in the process of hiring more –and have put together an educated guess on the car's spec sheet. While the F1 diced it with the likes of the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959, and the SLR took on the Enzo and Carrera GT, the car tentatively code-named P11 is expected to go down-market (that being a relative term, of course) to target the likes of the 430 Scuderia and 911 GT2. Power is anticipated to come from sibling-company AMG's 6.3-liter V8, putting some 500 horsepower down through the rear wheels for a sub-4-second run to sixty and a top speed over 200 mph. Expect carbon-ceramic brakes to figure into an aluminum and carbon-fiber package sized in between Audi's TT and R8.

CAR claims its renderings are fairly close to the mark for the supercar that will launch in 2010 and be produced in annual runs of less than 5,000. Don't expect the car to be dipped in chrome like its grand prix stable-mates, though.

Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: CAR Online]

Click the above image for 26 high-res photos of GT-R parts.

The new Nissan GT-R is an engineering playground. We hope to get our chance to play with it soon, but until then, we get pictures. Luckily, Nissan has released detailed images of the GT-R drivetrain and suspension. These reveal some of the alterations made in the GT-R design from prior models. One of the more significant changes is the placement of the transmission. The dual-clutch transmission and combination transfer case sit at the back of the car, coupled to the rear differential (that makes it a transfermissiondiffcase). It makes for more balanced weight distribution with the transmission, rear differential and transfer case counterbalancing the weight of the engine and front differential.

The turbochargers have also changed from Garrett units used in past GT-R models to IHI, a Japanese-owned company. The turbine housings (aka hot side) of the turbochargers are a combined casting with the engine exhaust manifolds. Most likely this is done to save space and for emissions reasons to ensure the catalytic converters are as close to the turbocharger outlets as possible. Each turbocharger is followed by two catalytic converters, making for a total of four. Two intercoolers are also installed, as opposed to one with two inlets, keeping the charged air for each bank of cylinders constantly separated. This is most likely done to ensure precise metering of air.

[Source: Nissan]

Click on the image above for high-resolution

It's been a regular Maserati love-in over here these past few days. First we got a teaser sketch of the coupe designed by Pininfarina. Then the Trident marque gave us three images of the stunning new GranTurismo in advance of its Geneva debut. Then we brought you the MC12 XX by Edo Competition. And now Maserati has hit us with the press release for the GranTurismo and an additional profile shot. It must be Christmas time for fans of the house that Alfieri built.

The press release confirms certain details about the stylish new coupe and reveals others. The 4.2-liter V8, derived from the Ferrari-designed engine in the Quattroporte, gets a power spike of 9 horsepower up to 405. It's driving through a fully automatic gearbox – presumably the new ZF unit recently placed in the Quattroporte – but we'd speculate the paddle-shifted sequential will find its way in their eventually despite the anticipated availability of paddle shifters on the torque-converting auto-box. Weight is distributed, as reported, in an ideal 49/51 rear bias. The styling was penned by Pininfarina's American wonderboy Jason Castriota, the same guy responsible for the design of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the custom Enzo-based P4/5 one-off.

The GranTurismo's launch at this year's Geneva show marks the (approximate) 60th anniversary of the launch of Maserati's first road car, the original Gran Turismo, which was also designed by Pinin Farina (in an era when words were separated by spaces).

Follow the jump for the press release, or click on the gallery below, where we've added the new profile shot seen above.

[Source: Maserati]

After releasing a slew of new models, French auto group PSA is turning its attention to the C5, Citroen's mainstream family sedan. A test mule was just caught testing on the highway in France, giving a face to the long list of details already known about the upcoming Citroen.

The C5 will be underpinned by an all-new platform with a longer wheelbase than the model it replaces. That means more room for Jacques and Jeanne plus extra luggage space so you can fit in those super-long baguettes. Power comes from a range of engines including Citroen's new 173-hp 2.2-liter HDI and 2.7-liter V6 diesel co-developed with Ford, as well as a whole menu of conventional gasoline engines with a 3-liter V6 leading the charge up the Bastille. The front wheels are driven through a choice of manual, automatic or semi-automatic transmissions while the new car will ride on a cushy new air suspension.

[Source: Auto Express]

If you ask us, it's a good thing Fiat has resisted the urge to branch out of automobiles and into boat manufacturing, because as it stands, they've got far too many leaks. The latest are a series of photos and details of the upcoming highly-anticipated 500, ostensibly leaked from Fiat in a slide show for internal consumption. Silly Italians, didn't you know we'd get our hands on it?

The photos show what appears to be the production version of the retro ultra-mini. And not just one or two shots, either. Here we get a host of photos from various angles, in various colors, inside and out, and outlining a wide range of customizable options that, as promised, will give customers the freedom to make their 500 their own.

After the jump you'll find photos showing interior options, a cargo compartment organizer, exterior luggage rack, a number of different wheel options, exterior badging and decals... even customizable keys with faceplates like a Nokia cellphone (not a bad idea).

[Source: WorldScoop via Jalopnik via Carscoop]