Autoblog

Here's what the 2014 BMW M3 could look like

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:59:00 EST

It's been less than a week since BMW dropped the first images of its redesigned 3 Series sedan on us, but already the imaginations are running wild about what the next M3 might look like. Automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin has given us his take on the F30-based M3, and it's about what you might expect.

With enlarged air ducts in the front fascia to feed the intercoolers for a rumored twin-turbo V6 setup, Chin's M3 is more aggressive, but retains the marque's penchant for subtlety. Around the back, Chin's M3 sedan has just a bit of a lip on the decklid and the telling quad exhaust pipes, but is thankfully devoid of boy-racer cues.

With the sixth-generation 3 Series sedan styling serving mostly to clean up the E90's lines, the next M3 will likely be treated similarly when it finally reaches our shores in 2014. While there will be plenty of M3 news to come, if the end product turned out much like these images, we wouldn't be surprised.

Here's what the 2014 BMW M3 could look like originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota Camry Solara coupe imagined

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Toyota

If we're honest, our memories of the Toyota Camry Solara aren't exactly fond. And as much as we'd like to look back on Toyota's Red Hat Society coupe and convertible through a pair of rose-tinted glasses, we'll be content with our currently Solara-less lives.

But now there's a new Camry, and a whole new world of possibilities. Is it possible that the Solara name (or, at least, form) could be resurrected? Automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin now offers this idea of what a two-door 2012 Camry could look like, and while it's decidedly more aggressive than any Solara that came before it, we still can't help but receive it with a resounding "meh."

Still, Honda sells the Accord Coupe, and Nissan offers a two-door version of the Altima, so there could be room in the market for a Camry coupe yet again. Hold on to your (red) hats.

2012 Toyota Camry Solara coupe imagined originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler 200 wagon rendered... should it be built? [w/poll]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Wagon, Chrysler, Design/Style

Chrysler has no plans (at least, none that we're aware of) that involve bringing a 200 wagon to market. If those plans change, we think the automaker should look towards Theophilus Chin for inspiration. We've seen Chin's renderings before, and his take on the 200 wagon suggests that the family hauler would also be a pretty decent looker, particularly as it forgoes the sedan's awkward greenhouse in favor of a more traditional form.

Chin takes on the rendering from both front and rear angles, and you can take a closer look at each by clicking through the gallery.

Now that you've taken a look, we'd like to know what you think. Should Chrysler expand the 200 lineup with a wagon? Have a say in our informal poll below.

View Poll

Chrysler 200 wagon rendered... should it be built? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Audi, Specialty

Audi RS5 Shooting Brake - Click above for high-res image gallery

We just spent the last few days bouncing around Germany driving the 2011 Audi TT and the powertrain-enhanced Q7 (review next week), and between bouts on the autobahn and a few factory tours, we pestered our hosts about some of their Euro-only products and what we can expect in the future.

We dropped a few not-so-subtle hints in an attempt to score some seat time in the RS6 (denied) and the TT RS (achieved, and yes, it's awesome), but the RS5 was something we were aching to drive. Unfortunately, we were short on time and didn't get a crack at the 450-hp coupe, but on more than one occasion we mentioned that a shooting brake version would be the bee's knees. As you'd expect, that's probably not gonna happen, but the rendering wizard Theophilus Chin has answered our prayers in digital form.

Chin, who mocked up the three-door for a Photoshop contest, took some inspiration from past Audi coupes - including the GT - to create a two-door fastback version of the RS5 that's loaded with win. The sloping roofline matches perfectly to the RS5's widened haunches, and while the roof rails wouldn't have been our first choice, we dig how they tie into the brushed aluminum front splitter, rear diffuser, side mirrors and five-spoke wheels. Too bad it probably won't happen, but there's a good chance those of us in the States will get a crack at the standard two-door RS5 in 2012.

Gallery: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake

[Source: TheophilusChin.com]

Rendered Speculation: Audi RS5 Shooting Brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Aston Martin One-77 Volante

Noah Joseph — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Aston Martin

What's better than a seven-figure supercar with 700 horsepower? How about a seven-figure roadster with 700 horsepower? Well, that may be a matter of personal opinion, but Aston Martin never shies away from the subject, churning out open-top versions of most of its range.

Along with the Rapide, Cygnet and the V12 Vantage (the eight-cylinder version available as a roadster), the One-77 is one of the only vehicles in Aston Martin's range that isn't available as a convertible. Not yet, at least. But that's the beauty of the digital age: anything you can imagine in your mind can be imagined on the internet. In this case, we have to thank one Theophilus Chin, the self-styled "automotive manipulator" who has rendered what an open-top One-77 Volante might look like. And to our eyes, it looks enticing. Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

[Source: Theophilus Chin via autoblog.it]

Rendered Speculation: Aston Martin One-77 Volante originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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