Autoblog

The 2009 BMW Z4 has been caught out testing again, and by the look of it, the cloth roof is going to go away. The last batch of shots left people wondering what kind of roof the little coupe would wear, with many predicting a continuation of the cloth hood. These shots, however, give a pretty good indication of a retractable hardtop. Instead of the 3-Series' three-piece folding top, the Z4 will merely fold in two. If the shots don't lie, then the SLK won't be able to lord it's folding metal over its competitors much longer. According to our best French and the help of Babelfish, the Z4 will also grow in length from 13.42 feet to 14.11 feet, in order to leave room for a Z2 that will be racier than the 1-Series. It is also claimed that the Z4M will arrive in 2010 or 2011 and come with the 420-hp V8 in the M3.

[Source: Cardisiac]

Volkswagen's Eos has been awarded one of the "2006 Best of What's New" prizes from Popular Science Magazine. The new stylish convertible apparently captured the fancy of the PopSci editors. And what's not to like really? A cute coupe/convertible WITH a sunroof in its hardtop? Pretty slick. But this isn't exactly a beauty contest they were voting on. In order to be eligible, "a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its respective category," according to the winning announcement.

"Best of What's New" is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products," said Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. "These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future." And quite honestly, how many people were even thinking about a hardtop convertible NEEDING a sunroof, let alone advancing so quickly on making it happen? Kudos, Volkswagen. The full list of 100 automotive and other winners from the 10 categories will appear in the December edition of the mag. Full release after the jump.


[Source: Volkswagen]

On Friday Volkswagen announced that the Eos, its showroom bound hardtop convertible, will be offered at a starting price of $27,990. For that price you'll get the four-seat convertible with its three-piece folding hardtop and integrated sunroof paired with the company's turbo 2.0L four-cylinder generating 200 horsepower. A more powerful version with a 250-hp 3.2L V6 will start much higher at $36,850.

If one feels the 2.0T offers enough grunt, a mid-model can be had for $31,065 that includes a 6-speed DSG transmission, leather appointments, automatic headlights, dual-zone "Climatronic" climate control, 12-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and washer nozzles, a windblocker, center armrest and trip computer.

The 3.2L V6 model comes with wood trim, all-season tires, a multi-function steering wheel, rainsensing wipers and satellite radio. Additional options include a 600-watt Dynaudio premium sound system with ten speakers and an amp, bi-Xenon headlights, a DVD nav system, park distance control system and 18-inch alloy wheels. Considering VW's announcement, a $40K+ Eos doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Our hunt through eBay's automotive treasure trove for rare 1950's cars continues with this 1953 Muntz Jet. Created by Earl Muntz, entrepreuer extraordinaire who earned his fortune plying consumer electronics and used cars. But selling yesterday's iron wasn't enough for the "Madman," so he embarked on creating his dream car-- a process that resulted in the vehicle shown here. Not a one-off 'special' like the other cars we've seen recently, the Jet was actually a serialized production car, though less than 400 units are thought to have been manufactured between 1952 and 1953.

Unusually, all Muntz Jets are in fact removable hardtop convertibles. Designed by Frank Kurtis of Indianapolis and dirt oval motorsports fame, the Jet made use of both Lincoln and Cadillac V8 drivetrains, depending on when the model was built. This particular example is powered by the former, and has been restored in plum metallic and white leather.

Estimated to be perhaps one of 50 surviving Jets, this rare bird has been bid to more than $58,000 as this is written, but has yet to crack its reserve.

[Source: eBay]