Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[McLaren P1 guru spills more info on his hypercar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/mclaren-p1-guru-spills-more-info-on-his-hypercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/mclaren-p1-guru-spills-more-info-on-his-hypercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/mclaren-p1-guru-spills-more-info-on-his-hypercar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We know the McLaren P1 is pretty much ready to fly into lucky US owners' underground bunkers by the latter part of fall 2013. We should get a go at an early production version by late June, we are told, and as you would imagine, we can't wait. The running number on the price for the United States remains pegged at $1.15 million.

The main facts remain the same: The P1 runs off a twin-power hybrid powerplant good for a combined 903 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. Thrusting thrills are provided by both the push-button operated Drag Reduction System (or DRS), chopping drag by 23 percent by flattening the rear wing, and by the push-button operated Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) feeding instantaneous added electric-motor oomph through the gearbox straight to the drivetrain. The slingshot from 0 to 186 miles per hour (i.e. 300 kilometers per hour) happens in less than 17 seconds.

Shivers. While at the Geneva Motor Show where the P1 showed itself in full production trim and in screaming picture-hogging yellow, we chatted about further details with the P1's chief of engineering design, Dan Parry-Williams. To all the specification fodder we already have on the P1, Parry-Williams added some chum.

Continue reading McLaren P1 guru spills more info on his hypercar

McLaren P1 guru spills more info on his hypercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan parry-williamsexotichybridhypercarmclarenmclaren p1parry-illiamssupercarWed, 22 May 2013 11:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20545807/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/22/mclaren-p1-guru-spills-more-info-on-his-hypercar/20545807/article-detail.xml 20545807 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dan-parry-williams-abpost-1366384387_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dan-parry-williams-abpost-1366384387.jpg <![CDATA[Audi supercar not yet approved, R4 not quite dead, still room for an MPV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/audi-supercar-not-yet-approved-r4-not-quite-dead-still-room-fo/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/audi-supercar-not-yet-approved-r4-not-quite-dead-still-room-fo/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/audi-supercar-not-yet-approved-r4-not-quite-dead-still-room-fo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Audi V12 TDI engine bay

According to a report by Autocar, all we thought we knew of the in-development Audi supercar we might not actually know. A piece in Car and Driver, not even a month old, said the diesel-hybrid halo car was in the design stages, would get the engine from the R18 E-Tron Quattro and its carbon fiber tub. Now we get word that that while the coupe is indeed being designed, it hasn't yet been signed off and there's no business case for it yet. Said business case, whenever it is built, is also dubious of the diesel aspect of the car at the moment - diesels aren't known for creating Pavlovian purchase responses in buyers in the two key markets of the US and China.

The report suggests that instead of a diesel, the 2014 Le Mans regulations changes "could swing the favour back towards petrol models," which would give the so-called Scorpion a better tie to racing technology. Of course, that also assumes that Audi would contest next year's Le Mans with a gas-powered car. If so, that would be an about-face on the original reasons for the halo sportscar in the first place.

In other news, seems Audi also believes it can slot another sportscar below the R8, it just needs to get the financials sorted. The R4 - a Porsche Boxster-sized roadster - that has been chattered about for years is still in on the table but appears a long way off. Company R&D chief Wolfgang Durheimer said it would need to be mid-engined and bring plenty of tech to separate itself from the TT, but mass-market price point is the catch as is the focus on other segments in the portfolio.

The least sexy side of the Audi pool, but apparently the most important, is boiling with plans for new utility vehicles and possibly an MPV. What Car? quotes Durheimer at the Shanghai Motor Show saying "SUV products are a first priority," which would fit into what we've been hearing about the brand's design overhaul, the products in question a Q above the Q7 and another below the Q3. A people mover is also said to be under consideration assuming Audi can create something that hauls six or seven while maintaining brand values.

Audi supercar not yet approved, R4 not quite dead, still room for an MPV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi q2audi q3audi q7audi r18audi r20audi scorpionaudi supercarr20supercarwolfgang durheimerWed, 24 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548291/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/audi-supercar-not-yet-approved-r4-not-quite-dead-still-room-fo/20548291/article-detail.xml 20548291 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/audiscorpion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/audiscorpion.jpg <![CDATA[Lamborghini Miura SV burns to the ground in London]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/lamborghini-miura-sv-burns-to-the-ground-in-london/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/lamborghini-miura-sv-burns-to-the-ground-in-london/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/lamborghini-miura-sv-burns-to-the-ground-in-london/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lamborghini Miura SV classic supercar burns in London

If there's one thing Italian supercars seemingly love more than moving quickly, it's being on fire. That even applies to iconic machinery like the Lamborghini Miura SV, one of our personal favorite exotics of all time. One such Lamborghini owner just witness their machine go all flambé during a photo shoot in London. Details are scarce at the moment, but it looks as if something went awry in the engine bay.

You can watch the disaster in the video below, but just make sure your stomach is well prepared for the nauseating sight. Nothing's worse than watching $700,000-worth of gorgeous collector car go up in smoke.

Continue reading Lamborghini Miura SV burns to the ground in London

Lamborghini Miura SV burns to the ground in London originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic carslamborghinilamborghini firelamborghini miuralondonsupercarsupercar firevideoMon, 08 Apr 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532984/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/lamborghini-miura-sv-burns-to-the-ground-in-london/20532984/article-detail.xml 20532984 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/miura-on-fire-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/miura-on-fire-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mexico set to get second automaker, and it's a sports car company, too]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/#commentsFiled under: ,



With Mastretta and its home-cooked MXT-R already softening the beachhead for Mexican-made sports cars, a new company called VŪHL - an acronym that stands for "Vehicles of Ultra-lightweight and High-performance"­ - is coming to the scene.

The teaser image that you see above shows the VŪHL 05, which is tantalizingly described as a "road-legal lightweight supercar." The details are pretty scarce beyond that, save that we will witness the launch of the 05 at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

VŪHL itself was started by brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, who claim to have picked up their love of high performance cars from their GT and formula car-racing father, Guillermo Echeverria Sr. It is the Echeverria brothers' design firm, Etxe, that has penned the lines for the 05, while the production (of the bodies, at least) will take place in Canada and final assembly will happen in Mexico City. A report by Skiddmark.com indicates that big name suppliers like Magna Steyr, Mutimatic and Ford have a hand in the car, and some funding has come from the Mexican Government, as well. Consider our interest piqued.

Mexico set to get second automaker, and it's a sports car company, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>05echevarriamexican carmexican sports carmexicosupercarteaservuhlvuhl 05Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20505633/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/20505633/article-detail.xml 20505633 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vuhl-05-teaser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vuhl-05-teaser-628.jpg <![CDATA[Take a closer look at Lamborghini's outrageous Veneno [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/lamborghini-veneno-video-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/lamborghini-veneno-video-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/lamborghini-veneno-video-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lamborghini Veneno - front three-quarter view, Geneva Motor Show

We couldn't pass up the chance to take a closer look at the outrageous Lamborghini Veneno. The ultra-limited-production 50th anniversary model looks downright lethal sitting under the lights of the Geneva Motor Show. Regardless of the 750-horsepower V12 lurking at the machine's core, the preponderance of vents, wings, splitters and fins means the hypercar can't help but look like it'll cut you for the fun of it. While most high-performance exotics are as much about what you can't see as what you can, the Veneno gets the ludicrous-loving 12-year-old kid inside of us cackling with joy.

We just can't decide whether this $3.4-million-dollar one-of-three hypercar is the hero or villain of our adolescent daydreams. Maybe both. Click through the detailed gallery for your best look yet at the latest bit of insanity from Lamborghini, and check out its official introduction video below.

Continue reading Take a closer look at Lamborghini's outrageous Veneno [w/video]

Take a closer look at Lamborghini's outrageous Veneno [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva 2013geneva motor showlambolamborghinilamborghini veneno picturessupercarvenenoveneno picsveneno picturesvideoWed, 06 Mar 2013 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/06/lamborghini-veneno-video-geneva-2013/20490546/article-detail.xml 20490546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/lamborghini-veneno-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/lamborghini-veneno-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Watch the Australian GT Championship take on Bathurst]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/watch-the-australian-gt-championship-take-on-bathurst/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/watch-the-australian-gt-championship-take-on-bathurst/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/watch-the-australian-gt-championship-take-on-bathurst/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Australian GT Championship

The Australian GT Championship is one of the more entertaining race series going. Racers compete head to head in hardware plucked from our supercar dreams. Drivers campaign bruisers like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT3-R, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Audi R8 and even the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Ginetta G55. There are few other places where you can see so many excellent vehicles go fender to fender. This year, the series got started at the infamous Bathurst circuit. If you want a better picture of what the Australian GT Championship has to offer, look no further than the video below.

The first round saw Shane Van Gisbergen and Klark Quinn in their Porsche 911 GT3-R take the checkered flag followed by a four-man team in the No. 88 Ferrari 458 Italia GT4. The series heads to the Adelaide Street circuit for qualifying on February 28, with the main event going down on March 2. In the interim, feel free to check out the clip below for a better idea of what the action is all about.

Continue reading Watch the Australian GT Championship take on Bathurst

Watch the Australian GT Championship take on Bathurst originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian gt championshipbathurstgt championshipsupercarsupercar racingvideoSun, 24 Feb 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20471366/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/24/watch-the-australian-gt-championship-take-on-bathurst/20471366/article-detail.xml 20471366 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/australian-gt-championship-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/australian-gt-championship-628.jpg <![CDATA[Best speculative Ferrari Enzo successor rendering yet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/best-speculative-ferrari-enzo-successor-rendering-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/best-speculative-ferrari-enzo-successor-rendering-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/best-speculative-ferrari-enzo-successor-rendering-yet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ferrari F150 Enzo successor renderings Josiah LaColla

While so many supposed Ferrari fanatics are just sitting on their collective hands and waiting for the Italian supercar maker to finally reveal its F150 (or whatever it'll be called) Enzo follow-up, designer Josiah LaColla has gotten busy with his Wacom tablet and set to work. The results, though quite possibly no closer to the actual F150 as any of the other renderings we've seen thus far, are lovely to behold.

Well, actually, "lovely" probably isn't the perfect descriptor - anything less than a little bit brutal wouldn't be a proper successor to the Enzo, nor would it fit the parameters laid out by the test mules we've seen so far. Accurate within the best of LaColla's ability to guess and imagine is probably a better way of looking at these designs, which show a car that has enough venting to keep the bowls of Hell cool (should Hell ever hit the autostrada at 150+ miles per hour).

We've recapitulated the designer's own words in press release form, below, so as to give you a good idea of his intentions with the design. Read, view and tell us what you think the renderings, in comments.

Continue reading Best speculative Ferrari Enzo successor rendering yet

Best speculative Ferrari Enzo successor rendering yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enzoF150ferrariferrari f150 renderingsjosiah lacollasupercarSat, 16 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20464450/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/16/best-speculative-ferrari-enzo-successor-rendering-yet/20464450/article-detail.xml 20464450 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/001-ferrari-f150-renderings-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/001-ferrari-f150-renderings-628.jpg <![CDATA[Meet the 701-hp Mazzanti Evantra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/meet-the-701-hp-mazzanti-evantra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/meet-the-701-hp-mazzanti-evantra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/meet-the-701-hp-mazzanti-evantra/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you've heard of upstart boutique supercar maker Mazzanti, we salute you. About a year ago, we brought you news of this small Italian firm, which then was under the name Faralli & Mazzanti. The creation was the Evantra, and as the name of the company has changed, so has the car. The Mazzanti Evantra has been updated, and the previous turbocharged flat-six has been replaced with a 7.0-liter V8. The six-cylinder had two versions, capable of 403 or 603 horsepower. That is kid's stuff compared to the V8, which can put out an astounding 701 horsepower and 624 pound-feet or toque. That power allows it to get from zero to 62 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds.

Other updates include a rear spoiler, reworked styling, and 20-inch OZ wheels wrapped in Continental tires. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a paddle-shift-operated direct shift gearbox, developed specifically for the Evantra by transmission producer Sila. The lightweight supercar (curb weight not given for Evantra V8, but original was 2645 pounds, so we don't suspect its much more than that.) will be brought to a stop by Brembo brakes that are six-piston in the front and four-piston in the rear.

Other kit includes a racing-style instrument closer, Bosch infotainment system and an "infinite" number of cabin material selections. While the swatches may be infinite, the number of Evantra V8's being produced is very small - only five will be made per year. No pricing has been given, though we suspect the old cliche "if you have to ask, you can't afford it," applies.

Meet the 701-hp Mazzanti Evantra originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-liter V8boschfaralli mazzantiitalianitalymazzanitsupercarv8Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411398/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/28/meet-the-701-hp-mazzanti-evantra/20411398/article-detail.xml 20411398 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/manzzanti-evantra-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/manzzanti-evantra-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi boss talks about possible diesel-electric LeMans-inspired supercar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/audi-boss-talks-about-possible-diesel-electric-lemans-inspired-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/audi-boss-talks-about-possible-diesel-electric-lemans-inspired-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/audi-boss-talks-about-possible-diesel-electric-lemans-inspired-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Audi V12 TDI - overhead view of engine compartment

Word has it Audi is hard at work on a new diesel-electric supercar. Auto Express reports Wolfgang Durheimer, head of technical development for the company, is planning a road vehicle that will make the most of the lessons learned from the automaker's 24 Hours of Le Mans efforts. Durheimer says the supercar will be very different from the current R8 and will offer buyers state-of-the-art technology. Specifically, the as-yet-unnamed model will be able to best the current McLaren P1 around a race track. Details are, of course, scarce, though the company's recent past could point to what we can expect to see from such a machine.

The Audi R8 TDI LeMans Concept from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show promised the world an R8 with a V12 TDI diesel behind the front seats. With 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, the machine would undoubtedly have been a blast to drive, but Audi shuttered any thought of a production model a year later. Odds are a modern interpretation of that machine would feature a smaller displacement diesel engine paired with a hybrid system for additional thrust.

Audi boss talks about possible diesel-electric LeMans-inspired supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansaudiaudi diesel hybrid supercaraudi supercardieseldiesel hybridhybridle mansr8supercarFri, 14 Dec 2012 16:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20402283/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/14/audi-boss-talks-about-possible-diesel-electric-lemans-inspired-s/20402283/article-detail.xml 20402283 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-v12-tdi-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-v12-tdi-628.jpg <![CDATA[Italian firm agrees to buy 37.5% of Aston Martin]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/italian-firm-agrees-to-buy-37-5-of-aston-martin/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/italian-firm-agrees-to-buy-37-5-of-aston-martin/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/italian-firm-agrees-to-buy-37-5-of-aston-martin/#comments2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - top down on the road

Italian private equity firm Investindustrial has purchased a minority stake in supercar-maker Aston Martin. The 37.5-percent share carries a price of $241 million, while a majority stake is still held by Kuwait's Investment Dar. Aston Martin says this deal will allow the UK brand to pour $1 billion into new product, funding vehicle development through 2018.

The Italian firm beat out Indian truck and tractor producer Mahindra and Mahindra, but some analysts are skeptical of the deal, claiming that it does not account for "scale, access to technology, emissions or entry to new segments." That's especially true since Aston indicates that pen has not been put to paper on a proposed technology partnership between itself and Mercedes-Benz, a provision some analysts expected.

Sit tight, Mr. Bond.

Continue reading Italian firm agrees to buy 37.5% of Aston Martin

Italian firm agrees to buy 37.5% of Aston Martin originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martindarinvestdustrialmahindrasupercarFri, 07 Dec 2012 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20397011/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/07/italian-firm-agrees-to-buy-37-5-of-aston-martin/20397011/article-detail.xml 20397011 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2012-aston-martin-v8-vantage-roadster-review_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2012-aston-martin-v8-vantage-roadster-review.jpeg <![CDATA[2013 SRT Viper [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/2013-srt-viper-first-drive-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/2013-srt-viper-first-drive-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/2013-srt-viper-first-drive-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

An Extraordinary Effort to Break Previous Stereotypes

2013 SRT Viper

The Viper has always scared the hell out of me.

My aversion to the famed American sports car has nothing to do with its immensely powerful ten-cylinder engine or its Matchbox-like styling - those attributes are genuinely captivating. Instead, I have found little to like in a vehicle that is brash, coarse, uncivilized and untrustworthy at the limit. Rather than unload a slew of bitter complaints directed at each of its previous four generations, let's just say that the Viper has always represented the automotive equivalent of barbarous mechanical mayhem.

That is, until now.

After a three-year absence, an all-new Viper debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show. No longer under the Dodge umbrella, Chrysler's supercar returned wearing the new performance-oriented SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand label. Despite its familiar shape and engine configuration, the completely redesigned coupe promised not only more power but better handling, superior craftsmanship, innovative technology and a world-class cabin.

While this may sound as if the automaker's halo two-seater has been tamed after being forced through politically correct manners and etiquette classes, my observation - after spending a couple days with the snake on public roads and at Sonoma Raceway - is that the iconic Viper may be much more refined and less temperamental, but it still has some of the longest and sharpest fangs in the segment.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper [w/video]

2013 SRT Viper [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 srt viper gts2013+dodge+viper2013+srt+viper2013+srt+viper+first+drive2013+viper2013dodgeviper2013srtviper2013srtviperfirstdrive2013viperfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivesrtsrt+vipersrtvipersuper+carsupercarviperviper first driveviper gtsviper photosviper reviewviper videowTue, 20 Nov 2012 20:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20385154/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/20/2013-srt-viper-first-drive-review-video/20385154/article-detail.xml 20385154 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-srt-viper-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-srt-viper-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Topless Bull: Lamborghini unveils Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/topless-bull-lamborghini-unveils-aventador-lp-700-4-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/topless-bull-lamborghini-unveils-aventador-lp-700-4-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/topless-bull-lamborghini-unveils-aventador-lp-700-4-roadster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This morning, Lamborghini has announced the newest member of its supercar family, the stunningly sexy Aventador LP700-4 Roadster. With more than 1,300 Aventador coupes sold to date, Lamborghini believes it will find strong demand for the convertible version.

The Roadster's roof is a two-piece affair, made from carbon fiber and weighing in at just over 13 pounds. The roof pieces must be removed by hand, though the process is said to be fairly simple, and there's room to store both in the front luggage compartment. The topless Aventador also employs a powered rear window and a front-mounted wind deflector (which can also be removed and stowed) to allow drivers the freedom to choose how exposed to the elements they'd like to be.

Naturally, Lamborghini has done everything it could to keep performance unchanged from that of the fixed-roof sibling. Like the coupe, the Aventador Roadster makes use of a 6.5-liter, 700-horsepower V12 modulated by a seven-speed single-clutch paddleshift gearbox. 0-62 miles per hour comes up in 3.0 seconds, while top speed is a massive 217 mph (350 kilometers per hour).

In its press release about the car (below) Lamborghini tells us that the Aventador Roadster will be offered for sale at 300,000 euro plus tax ($381,000 at current exchange rates - expect official US pricing to be revealed soon, though), and will be available for order worldwide. Phone-number-sized bank account holders should get their checkbooks ready.

Continue reading Topless Bull: Lamborghini unveils Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

Topless Bull: Lamborghini unveils Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lamborghini aventador lp700-4 roadsteraventadorlamborghiniroadstersupercarMon, 12 Nov 2012 04:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20375916/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/12/topless-bull-lamborghini-unveils-aventador-lp-700-4-roadster/20375916/article-detail.xml 20375916 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/000-lamborghini-aventador-roadster-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/000-lamborghini-aventador-roadster-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Caterham to expand beyond sports cars; city cars, CUVs possible]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/caterham-to-expand-beyond-sports-cars-city-cars-cuvs-possible/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/caterham-to-expand-beyond-sports-cars-city-cars-cuvs-possible/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/caterham-to-expand-beyond-sports-cars-city-cars-cuvs-possible/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Caterham SP 300 R - front three-quarter studio view

Caterham may be looking to expand its product scope beyond its current offerings. After the company announced an alliance with Renault yesterday, Caterham Chairman Tony Fernandes was quoted as saying the partnership is "the start of a line of products from Caterham." Fernandes went on to say the purist sports car manufacturer could move to begin producing crossovers and city cars in the same way that Porsche has evolved its position in the market. Don't start crying at the thought of a five-door Caterham just yet, though. The would-be product explosion may also include the addition of a new supercar.

CEO Graham Macdonald has said he envisions the brand as being capped with a halo project, complete with a carbon fiber chassis and KERS system on board. Of course, none of this translates directly into a new model on the road. As of right now, Renault and Caterham have only agreed to produce one vehicle under their budding partnership.

Caterham to expand beyond sports cars; city cars, CUVs possible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon fibercaterhamcaterham supercarcity carcrossovergraham macdonaldkersrenaultsupercartony fernandesTue, 06 Nov 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20372090/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/06/caterham-to-expand-beyond-sports-cars-city-cars-cuvs-possible/20372090/article-detail.xml 20372090 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/caterham-sp300-r-studio_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/caterham-sp300-r-studio.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition pops up at SEMA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition-sema-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition-sema-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition-sema-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Lexus has brought along a LFA Nürburgring Edition to its SEMA booth this year, apparently for no better reasons than to (a) show us the car in color other than the orange we saw for its Geneva debut and (b) let show-goers take turns running the car on a dynamometer. We'll admit, that last part is pretty good... we're waiting for the crowds to die down to take our turn, and to verify the alleged 562 horsepower output.

While we wait, why not peruse the above gallery of live LFA images? Supercar goodness therein.

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition pops up at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 Lexus LFA nurburgring editionlexusLFAsemasema 2012supercarWed, 31 Oct 2012 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20366815/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/31/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition-sema-2012/20366815/article-detail.xml 20366815 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-sema_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/lexus-lfa-nurburgring-sema.jpg <![CDATA[Gumpert rescued by new investor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/23/gumpert-rescued-by-new-investor/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/23/gumpert-rescued-by-new-investor/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/23/gumpert-rescued-by-new-investor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



With zombies all the rage and Halloween right around the corner, it should be fitting that one of the most ghoulish-looking supercars on the planet has risen from its grave, mere months after it was declared dead. Gumpert, the maker of the absurd Apollo hypercar, could very well be rescued by a new investor. It was only August when we reported on Gumpert's insolvency, but apparently an investor is getting in the mix and the German company could very well live.

Little if anything is known about the deal; the actual identity of the investor remains a mystery and it appears that the agreement is tentative and has not been written in ink. De Telegraaf has apparently learned of the investor from an undisclosed Gumpert employee. Let us hope that the source is correct. A Gumpert spokeswoman told the Dutch newspaper, "Currently we cannot say anything about the future prospects of Gumpert."

Gumpert rescued by new investor originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apollode telegraafgumpertgumpert apollogumpert bankruptcysupercarTue, 23 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20355411/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/23/gumpert-rescued-by-new-investor/20355411/article-detail.xml 20355411 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/gumpert-apollo-enraged_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/gumpert-apollo-enraged.jpeg <![CDATA[2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series suffers fiery wreck while testing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/2014-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-black-series-suffers-fiery-wreck-whil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/2014-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-black-series-suffers-fiery-wreck-whil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/2014-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-black-series-suffers-fiery-wreck-whil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Mercedes-Benz has been running its new, and most certainly badass, SLS AMG Black Series around the Nürburgring of late, doing the sort of high-speed and handling tests that such supercars require to be perfectly super.

Getting the bugs worked out is a good thing though, as these scary images caught by our spy photographers make clear. This particular SLS seems to have crashed and, quite literally, burned while doing some high-speed runs on the Ring. We're told that the car was carrying both a driver and a passenger, and that both walked away from the wrecked exotic before the fire even started. Good on both counts, then.

As we've reported previously, expectations are that this beastly Black Series will produce horsepower figures north of 600, while also shedding weight and gaining strengthened internals. The fire-damaged hulk seen here would seem to indicate that this latest SLS will make use of the standard car's aluminum superstructure, rather than the carbon fiber used for the SLS AMG Electric Drive, however.

Look for the unscathed production version of the SLS AMG Black Series to be formally introduced sometime in 2013, most likely as a 2014 model.

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series suffers fiery wreck while testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mercedes-benz sis amg black seriesamgblack seriescar firecrashmercedes-benznordschliefenurburgringprototypeslssls amgsupercarThu, 11 Oct 2012 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20347750/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/11/2014-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-black-series-suffers-fiery-wreck-whil/20347750/article-detail.xml 20347750 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-crash-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-crash-628.jpg <![CDATA[Peugeot's Onyx hybrid supercar may be the belle of the Parisian ball [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/peugeot-onyx-hybrid-supercar-video-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/peugeot-onyx-hybrid-supercar-video-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/peugeot-onyx-hybrid-supercar-video-paris-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Though the French automaker is clearly on the top of its game with all of its offerings for the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Peugeot's Onyx concept is its definitive highlight.

A masterpiece in matte black paint, Onyx's most striking features are the two huge swathes of polished copper that adorn both sides. Each side is made from a single piece of copper and, other than extensive polishing, the material is unprotected from the elements. The goal here, says Peugeot, is that the copper panels will change and evolve over time with oxidation.

The lightweight concept car - all of the body panels are made from carbon fiber and the car weighs just 1,100 kilograms (2,425 pounds) - is propelled by an aggressive hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the propulsion is a 3.7-liter V8 that's good for a whopping 600 horsepower, and it's modulated via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The conventional engine is augmented with lithium-ion battery-powered electric system that adds another 80 horses to the mix.

The interior of the Onyx is nearly as impressive as the body and powertrain, with a single, neutral-colored, floor-to-ceiling material that looks a lot like wall-to-wall carpeting, but in a cool French way. Seats are barely discernable from the non-seat portion of the interior, and the whole thing looks about as wild and impractical as you'd want from your typical billion-dollar steampunk concept supercar. Nicely done.

To see and hear the Onyx in motion, scroll down for a video.

Continue reading Peugeot's Onyx hybrid supercar may be the belle of the Parisian ball [w/video]

Peugeot's Onyx hybrid supercar may be the belle of the Parisian ball [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept carhybridparisparis 2012paris motor showpeugeotpeugeot onyxsteampunksupercarFri, 28 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20336047/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/peugeot-onyx-hybrid-supercar-video-paris-2012/20336047/article-detail.xml 20336047 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/009-peugeot-onyx-concept-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/009-peugeot-onyx-concept-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Cheaper baby NSX back under consideration at Acura]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/cheaper-baby-nsx-back-under-consideration-at-acura/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/cheaper-baby-nsx-back-under-consideration-at-acura/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/24/cheaper-baby-nsx-back-under-consideration-at-acura/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Acura NSX Concept - front three-quarter view, on show stand in Detroit

Back in the salad days before the financial upheaval of 2008, Honda's Acura division was reportedly planning to build not one, but two new NSX models. The first was/is the on again off again heir to the NSX throne (then a V10 rear-drive supercar, now the much ballyhooed hybrid all-wheel-drive affair revealed at January's Detroit Auto Show). The second was to be a smaller, less expensive version, creatively dubbed by Honda internals as the "Small NSX." Never let engineers name your pets, folks.

In any event, the Small NSX that was said to be cancelled before we even knew it existed is reportedly back on the table. Unnamed sources tell Motor Trend that the sports car will really be a scaled-back version of the NSX, too, with a mid-engine layout and potentially a version the same hybrid SH-AWD system.

It is really anyone's guess as to which corporate powertrain will offer motivation, should this baby NSX see the light of day, though turbocharging one of the company's four-cylinder mills seems like a good bet.

With the full-boat NSX still on track for a debut in 2015, expect to wait quite a while before the junior version is available - 2017 is a reasonable guess. When the car is ready, pending another once-in-a-lifetime financial system meltdown, we are told to expect sticker prices in the realm of $50,000 to $60,000.

Cheaper baby NSX back under consideration at Acura originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura nsxbaby nsxhondansxsh-awdsupercarMon, 24 Sep 2012 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20331573/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/24/cheaper-baby-nsx-back-under-consideration-at-acura/20331573/article-detail.xml 20331573 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-acura-nsx-concept-detroit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-acura-nsx-concept-detroit-628.jpg <![CDATA[Porsche 918 Spyder brochure leaks onto web [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/porsche-918-spyder-brochure-leaks-onto-web-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/porsche-918-spyder-brochure-leaks-onto-web-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/porsche-918-spyder-brochure-leaks-onto-web-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Porsche 918 Spyder brochure

Porsche appears to have let slip a rash of 918 Spyder images that look to be lifted from a company brochure. The shots give us a better idea of what buyers can look forward to when they plunk down their fat stacks of cash. We are particularly smitten by the Martini livery wrap, though a Salzburg Racing exterior is also available. Those who prefer pricier paint can cough up a little over $65,000 for Liquid Metal Grey or Liquid Metal Blue finishes. The lifted images also show that the 918 Spyder will come with a clear-coat carbon fiber targa roof panel.

More importantly, the 770-horsepower Porsche hybrid supercar will bow with an optional Weissach Package. There's no word on how much the pack will cost, but it will feature six-point harnesses, upgraded brakes and a focus on saving weight wherever possible. As such, bits like the armrest, door storage, air conditioning and stereo all get the boot to cut the vehicle's curb weight by 77 pounds. Check out the gallery for a closer look, and be sure to have a peek at a new video of the 918 Spyder caught on city streets in the video below.

Continue reading Porsche 918 Spyder brochure leaks onto web [w/video]

Porsche 918 Spyder brochure leaks onto web [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 porsche 918918918 spyderbrochureferrari+f70ferrarif70hybridmartini racingporscheporsche+918porsche+918+spyderporsche+918+spyder+brochure+leakedporsche918porsche918spyderporsche918spyderbrochureleakedspydersupercarvideoWed, 19 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20327640/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/19/porsche-918-spyder-brochure-leaks-onto-web-w-video/20327640/article-detail.xml 20327640 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-porsche-918-spyder-brochure-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-porsche-918-spyder-brochure-628.jpg <![CDATA[Britain's Trident Iceni Grand Tourer headed to Salon Privé... on diesel power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/britains-trident-iceni-grand-tourer-headed-to-salon-prive-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/britains-trident-iceni-grand-tourer-headed-to-salon-prive-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/britains-trident-iceni-grand-tourer-headed-to-salon-prive-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Trident Iceni Grand Tourer - profile in-studio view

After looking at the new Trident Iceni Grand Tourer, it's obvious that Europe gets all the cool cars. Sexy styling? Check. Amazing performance? Yup. Torquey, fuel-efficient diesel engine? Unequivocally, yes! This built-to-order coupe apparently has it all for the performance enthusiast who wants it all, and the car will be on display at the Salon Privé 2012 next month in London.

Starting at £75,000 (roughly $119,000 USD), the Iceni Grand Tourer is a small two-seater sports car that looks more like a concept car than anything else, with a split open top almost like the original Batmobile, a dark, matte exterior and a contrasting bright-red interior. Overall, the handsome design reminds us a bit of the Pontiac Solstice.

Only in this car's case, it's like a Solstice with premium touches and a Duramax diesel under the hood... on steroids. A quick rundown of the car's spec sheet reads like a supercar, with performance numbers that include a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of almost 200 mph from a 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine that can run on almost anything, including bio diesel, mineral diesel, palm oil and linseed oil. In standard form, this engine produces 430 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque, but even more impressive is the fact that 700 of these lb-ft are available at just 980 rpm. At this low engine speed, the Trident Iceni geared to run at 70 mph. The company says that's good enough for almost 70 mpg and can give the coupe a driving range of more than 2,000 miles on one tank.

Those wanting even more get-up-and-go can choose the optional upgrade that brings 660 hp and 1050 lb-ft of torque to the table. There is no word as to how much this sporty roadster weighs, but this kind of power would make a school bus fun to drive.

Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Britain's Trident Iceni Grand Tourer headed to Salon Privé... on diesel power

Britain's Trident Iceni Grand Tourer headed to Salon Privé... on diesel power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diesel supercaricenisalon privesupercartridenttrident carstrident iceni grand tourerThu, 23 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20306860/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/23/britains-trident-iceni-grand-tourer-headed-to-salon-prive-on/20306860/article-detail.xml 20306860 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/trident-iceni-grand-tourer-1345663411_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/trident-iceni-grand-tourer-1345663411.jpg -1 2