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[Rendered Speculation: <i>Top Gear</i> cooks up a Bugatti Galibier LM]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/rendered-speculation-top-gear-cooks-up-a-bugatti-galibie/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/rendered-speculation-top-gear-cooks-up-a-bugatti-galibie/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/rendered-speculation-top-gear-cooks-up-a-bugatti-galibie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As much as it dominated pre-war grand prix racing, Bugatti's is a heritage forged at Le Mans. Both the original concept and the subsequent production car which Bugatti built under its current ownership were named after Louis Chiron and Pierre Veyron, two of the most famous drivers from the marque's racing history. But it's been 70 years since Bugatti raced at Le Mans. The company's previous Italian owners took a race-prepped EB110 to Daytona, but that was about the extent of Bugatti's racing program in the modern era. But a few simple facts aren't about to stop the dreamers.

Over at Top Gear they've cooked up what a racing version of the new Galibier concept car would look like. Envisioned as some sort of touring car on speed and prepped for Le Mans, the Galibier LM features a massive front splitter and side skirts to match a giant rear wing and an exposed engine cover that displays the quad-turbo W16 like in the Veyron. Speaking of which, if Bugatti was going to return to racing, the outgoing super-coupe would have clearly been the better platform. But after seventy years of absence, we're not going to start splitting hairs... just imaginary lap times.

[Source: Top Gear]

Rendered Speculation: Top Gear cooks up a Bugatti Galibier LM originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've seen it happen a million times: a small car is successful, then the automaker ruins it by making it larger and heavier to satisfy what it thinks the average buyer is after. Fortunately, that hasn't been the case with the Mazda MX-5, which - retractable hardtop option notwithstanding - the Japanese automaker has always been careful not to spoil the core elements of the MX-5. So we'll take reports that Mazda is preparing an even smaller MX-2 with a grain of salt. But a small one.

According to the speculation, a future MX-2 would come in noticeably smaller than the full-size Miata, and therefore require smaller engines. Something between 700cc and 1.6-liter engines are reportedly in store, with a turbo at the top end delivering 160 horsepower. No word on layout, but we'd grudgingly expect a front-drive set-up when the purported MX-2 is unveiled as early as 2012.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda preparing sub-Miata MX-2? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamazda miatamazda mx-2mazda mx-2 renderedmazda mx-5mazda mx2mazda mx5mazda renderingMazdaMiataMazdaMx-2MazdaMx-2RenderedMazdaMx-5MazdaMx2MazdaMx5MazdaRenderingmx-2mx-5mx2mx5renderedrendered speculationRenderedSpeculationTue, 30 Jun 2009 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Lamborghini Murcielago successor not coming until 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/rendered-speculation-lamborghini-murcielago-successor-not-comin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/rendered-speculation-lamborghini-murcielago-successor-not-comin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/rendered-speculation-lamborghini-murcielago-successor-not-comin/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lamborghini supercars tend to have a relatively long lifespan. The Countach stayed in production for sixteen years from its introduction in 1974 until the Diablo replaced it in 1990, which in turn anchored Sant'Agata's line-up for eleven years until the Murcielago was introduced in 2001. Now eight years in production, the steel-bodied Raging Bull has grown pretty long in the tooth, even if it can still hold its own against its contemporary competition.

In order to keep it fresh, the Murci has spawned a seemingly endless succession of variants, from the original through the LP640, 40th Anniversary and Versace editions, fixed roof and roadsters versions, the Reventón, LP650-4 Roadster and LP670-4 SuperVeloce. Lambo's done a good job of keeping its biggest, baddest fighting bovine with the times, but they know it's about time this aging bull be put to pasture. However if the latest reports are any indication, it may yet be a couple of years more before the Murci meets its replacement.

When it does come along, though, Auto Motor und Sport says we can expect the new flagship Lambo to ditch the Murci's outmoded steel chassis in favor of an aluminum one - likely based on the Audi R8's. Draped in aluminum and carbon fiber, the chassis will, in all likelihood, carry a revised version of the Bizzarrini-designed V12 that was the company's first engine and which has, with considerable modification, carried on in the company's supercars ever since. While the wheelbase is expected to carry over from the outgoing Murcielago, the front overhang is expected to shrink, while all-wheel-drive will continue to put the power down to the tarmac.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Rendered Speculation: Lamborghini Murcielago successor not coming until 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Nissan anticipated to launch the convertible version of its 2010 370Z in a few months' time at the New York Auto Show, a batch of outline drawings of the new roadster managed to walk out of the EU patent office last week. But revealing as those blueprints are, they still require some degree of imagination. Fortunately, the guys over at GlobalMotors.net have precluded the need for imagination by coloring inside the lines for us and providing a batch of renderings that give us a preview of what the 370Z Roadster will look like when it hits the roads later this year. Follow the link to check 'em out, with our thanks to Andrus for the tip.

[Source: GlobalMotors.net]

Coloring inside the Lines: Nissan 370Z Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>350Z370znissannissan 370znissan 370z roadsternissan 370z roadster renderingnissan zNissan370zNissan370zRoadsterNissan370zRoadsterRenderingNissanZrenderedZ carZCarThu, 22 Jan 2009 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Spied & Rendered: Alfa Romeo 149]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/spied-and-rendered-alfa-romeo-149/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/spied-and-rendered-alfa-romeo-149/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/spied-and-rendered-alfa-romeo-149/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Alfa Romeo prepares to launch its next all-new model, dubbed the 149, test mules have been spotted, details have come into focus and speculations have been rendered.

The five-door hatchback will join the MiTo in replacing the aging 147. Sources suggest that the 149 moniker could be dropped before the car is unveiled next year, only a few telling months after the Volkswagen Golf VI is due for its debut. Borrowing styling cues from the 8C Competizione and MiTo, the Alfa 149 is expected it to include a new three-arm rear suspension and Alfa's trick Q2 differential, with the eventual availability of Q4 all-wheel-drive remaining a question mark. Diesel and gasoline engines are anticipated to range between 120 and 250 horsepower, and the 149 is tipped to be complying with the upcoming six-star EuroNCAP safety rating, and more tellingly, new U.S. crash requirements as well.

Some still maintain that the Alfa hatch will be based on the same platform that underpins the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta, although Alfa representatives have asserted that the 149 will spearhead its own unique platform. Either way, the platform could underpin the replacement for the 159 sedan and wagon, as well as the replacements for the Brera and Spider, while Alfa executives continue to deliberate over the possibility of a crossover model as well.

[Sources: Autocar and Projetto 940]

Spied & Rendered: Alfa Romeo 149 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Fusion could aptly be described as a hit for Ford Motor Company. It sold 66,260 units through May of this year, which is a 15.4% increase compared to last year and not an easy accomplishment in this particular buyers' market. Consider, however, that the Fusion shares a platform and many parts with the Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan. Taken together the trio of mid-size family sedans constitutes a big hit for Ford. Some time in the next few years all three cars will be given an MCE, or mid-cycle enhancement, at which point we'll see updates to their exteriors and interiors, as well as some new powertrain choices (we hope).

Through the grape vine of the interweb we found these renderings on a Mexican autos news site called autocosmos.com. This happens to be an appropriate place for these renderings to surface because all three cars are built at Ford's assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. In fact, this site may have had some insider info to work with when creating them. Above we see what the artist believes the Fusion will look like after its MCE. The look is familiar, but clearly suggests the Fusion will gain upturned headlights like those found on the Edge CUV. The site also claims the lower grille will be honeycomb and the car will receive larger wheels and a tweaked rear end with a chrome accent bar.

Thanks for the tip, Igor! More after the jump.

[Source: autocosmos.com via GMInsideNews]

Continue reading Rendered Speculation: 2009 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ

Rendered Speculation: 2009 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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