Mercury Cougar transformed into convincing Audi R8

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Audi, Mercury

Click above for more shots of the Mercury Cougar-based Audi R8 replica

The seventh-generation of the Mercury Cougar broke with tradition, switching from Detroit's classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive architecture to the more common front-engine, front-wheel drive design. Its styling was also considered pretty radical for the times, with swoopy curves replacing its predecessor's formal roof lines. We'd wager that the last Cougar's designers would never have believed that their humble compact would someday be the basis for an Audi R8 replica. We've examined the various shapes of the ReplicaAudiR8, as its designer refers to it - we prefer CougaR8 ourselves - and we've concluded it's not too shabby in the least. Take a look at our galleries below to judge for yourselves. Note our comparison shots of the CougaR8 and Audi's version in profile, front, rear and in three-quarter view (again, front and rear), which we've also pasted after the break all together. As we see it, the rear-view is the least successful in mimicking its four-ringed inspiration.

Of course, even if the styling of the replicar is decent, there's just no disguising that Cougar interior, despite the addition of a lone R8 badge on the steering wheel and the fact that these two cars share similar dash shapes. Even the interior, however, pales in comparison to the lack of power from Ford's 2.5L Duratec V6 engine, which at 170 horsepower is down by more than half to the Audi's burbling V8. Lastly, while the brakes and suspension components are fine for an entry-level coupe, they aren't quite up to snuff for a real-deal R8. In any case. Nevertheless, those who are more concerned with appearances than performance can get their own CougaR8 for about $50K - less than half what it would run to drive home in the real thing. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

Gallery: CougaR8 and Audi R8 side-by-side

Gallery: Cougar-based Audi R8 replica

[Source: New Cougar Forums, via Jalopnik]

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Mercury Cougar transformed into convincing Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy a brand new Jag XK120 C for $133,000

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, UK

Proteus, maker of hand-crafted replicas of bygone sports cars, is coming to America. Recently purchased by Enduro Cars, Proteus plans to restart production of its carbon copy Jaguar XK120 C -- the record-breaking Le Mans-conquering roadster -- that you'll be able to purchase for $133.000.

In addition to the XK 120 C, the company is looking at making a Lightweight E-Type and perhaps some early F1 cars. Last year, Proteus showed a C-Type coupe to the public to gauge reaction. No decisions have been made yet on that car, but the 21-year-old company is planning to begin fabricating three more Jags -- the SS100, XKSS, and D-Type - as well as the Aston Martin DB3S and the racing version of the gullwing 300SL, the 300SLR.

The company builds about 150 units of the XK 120 C per year, and each all-aluminum car comes with a 5-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Sure, it'll cost you $133,000, but that will get you a one of the most beautiful cars ever penned and cost a lot less in the long run than the original.

[Source: Gizmag]

Buy a brand new Jag XK120 C for $133,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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