Concept Cars auto news

REPORT: Lexus' A3, 1 Series competitor coming to Europe in 2010

As previously reported, Lexus will unveil a new concept at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series in Europe.

The new model - rumored to carry either the "BS" or "CS" nameplate - won't be built atop the Lexus HS250h's architecture, but it will utilize the gas-electric hybrid's 2.4-liter four-cylinder to deliver around 185 hp to the front wheels.

Although the model we'll see in Frankfurt is technically a concept, according to Lexus insiders, it will be "a 90% match for the real thing" which will debut in production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales beginning in Europe in the fall of 2010.

Noticing Anything New? Autoblog 4.0 is Here

As you all must have noticed by now, Autoblog 4.0 is here. It's the fourth revision of the site since it launched in July 2004 and offers more features for finding the content you want without compromising the flow of posts you need to get through the day.

Since this project was like stuffing a supercharged V8 where a turbo four-cylinder once resided, there are bound to be issues with the site for the some people, and we're working hard to correct them as quickly as possible. As for the commenting system that didn't get attention this time around, we have people hard at work developing a new system that will debut in the near future.

In the meantime, the short fix that corrects most issues is performing a hard refresh of your browser. Simply hold down your Shift key and click Refresh on your browser to reset the site. If that doesn't do the trick, send us a note at feedback@autoblog.com and explain your issue, let us know what browser and version you're using, and include a screen shot of the issue if possible. You can also take a tour of all the new features by clicking here. Thanks for the great response so far, and we've got more big news coming next week!

REPORT: We may not see the Bugatti Bordeaux at Frankfurt show after all

Following the release of a couple of teaser images showing what was tipped as an upcoming new model from Bugatti, the automotive press has been all up in a frenzy speculating over the form that the highly anticipated new car will take. But while the conclusion was that the car would be unveiled to the public at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, new reports suggest otherwise.

According to sources inside the company, Bugatti will indeed be showing a new concept in Frankfurt - but only to a select group of customers to gauge reactions among its exclusive clientele. And while it may seem like a waste to bring a concept car to the show only to keep it hidden, it may be indicative that the car itself won't be ready for a full public unveiling, for which we'll apparently have to wait a little longer. In the meantime, Bugatti will reportedly be back up to its old tricks with - yep, you guessed it - yet another special edition Veyron at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where sister company Bentley will be unveiling its own new super-luxe saloon. Stay tuned for more.

Infiniti to virtually preview next-generation M sedan at Pebble Beach

2008 Infiniti M - Click above for high-res image gallery

Used to be if an automaker wanted to unveil a new product, the car in question had to, you know... actually be there. But Infiniti will take advantage of new technologies to bridge the gap between virtual and reality at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it intends to give the public a preview of its next-generation M sedan.

Rather than rolling in the car itself, Infiniti will use "virtual video mapping" to project the car's details onto a clay model that will give the effect of seeing the car in the flesh in advance of the production model's anticipated debut in December. The public will be able to watch the event from home as well thanks to a a webcast on Infiniti's website, giving Nissan's luxury division all the exposure without the frantic preparation. Think it'll work out? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Spy Shots: Mystery concept caught in Spain

Mystery concept car in Barcelona -- Click above for image gallery

Autoblog Quiz of the Day: the minicar pictured above was spotted in Barcelona, Spain at Central del Poblenou Park, during what sounds like a photo or commercial shoot. Two people were caught driving it, the one in the sky blue outfit and hat looks to be a model/actress. The car, devoid of any logos or identifying marks, was accompanied by several trucks with French license plates - along with about ten people who didn't appreciate the person taking photos. Can anyone help us solve the mystery? Check out the image gallery below, and leave your guessses in 'Comments.'

Gallery: Mystery Concept Car in Barcelona

Italian-American Pride: Corvette-based SV 9 Competizione

Reclothing Corvettes with Italian coachwork is a time-honored tradition; one that sadly lapsed for years in between the age of classics and the modern era. But in an industry where old designs and old badges are resurrected with increasing regularity, this is one practice we're glad to see come back. Following such recent examples as Castagna Aznom comes the SV 9 Competizione, a re-skinned C6 Corvette with a touch of Italian flair.

Imagine a cross between an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione - from which this creation clearly draws its inspiration (as well as its name) - and a contemporary Corvette and you're well on your way towards summing up the SV 9 Competizione's design. And while we have some reservations over the front-end styling with its protruding snout, overall, the design strikes an intriguing balance between American muscle and Italian style. And when you consider the price of many contemporary coachbuilt customs, the $99,995 sticker price - including the donor Vette - doesn't seem all that outlandish.

Along with the carbon fiber bodywork, SV has tweaked the interior, fitted a new intake and exhaust for a 14-horsepower boost to 450 and fitted a new set of wheels with Pirelli Pzero Rosso tires, giving the SV 9 Competizione a claimed 0-60 time of four seconds flat, a 12-second quarter-mile sprint, a braking distance from 60 of 107 feet and 1.03g of lateral grip. Not too shabby by any standard. And with configurations based on 25 exterior colors, five interior trims and four wheel choices, SV figures there's no reason any two of the 1,000 units to which production is limited will ever need to turn out the same. We wouldn't mind seeing one up close ourselves; the first example is set to debut in San Francisco this weekend ahead of its unveiling at the local Concorso Italiano next month, but in the meantime you can check out the computer renderings in the gallery below.

Gallery: SV 9 Competizione Corvette

Automotive Engineer commissions Lotus to design tiny city EV [w/VIDEO]

Developing cars quickly is nothing new to the designers and engineers at Lotus - the British firm does contract development for automakers around the world on a regular basis. With that in mind - and knowing that Lotus has been actively involved in many electric and hybrid vehicle projects in recent years - the editors at Automotive Engineer magazine naturally chose to approach Lotus with a project idea: design a brief on what a new city car might look like five years from now.

After two weeks of work, Lotus design chief Russell Carr produced a concept that defined a car 3.74 inches shorter than a Smart ForTwo and nearly 16 inches shorter than the new Toyota iQ. Somehow, in that tiny space, Carr has managed to squeeze in space for four adults. The sketches show two different iterations of the vehicle, both with two sliding doors on its flanks and electrically-driven by a liquid-cooled 37 kW motor and a 10 kWh lithium ion battery pack under the floor. See more in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Automotive Engineer commissions Lotus to design tiny city EV [w/VIDEO]

Rendered Speculation: BMW S.X. Concept

Looking at some of the controversial recent designs coming out of BMW, many enthusiasts might think that it's not hard to imagine that study hall doodles would be preferable. Not exactly a schoolboy anymore, Iulian Bumbu has applied skills learned at a Milanese automotive design program to a BMW etude.

The car looks like it could actually be possible, wearing design cues that echo the recently redone Z4. The renderings call to mind the recently scuttled Concept CS from BMW's own pens, depicting a car that's extra-wide, super-low, and ultra aggressive. In any case, BMW could do worse than this flight of fancy.

Gallery: BMW Concept SX Proposal

Bertone Mantide owner eyeing Corvette ZR1 N?rburgring record run?

Some coachbuilt custom supercars are all show. But the owner of a Bertone Mantide is eager to prove that his has got the go to back up his show. Dan Watkins, the British gentleman-racer who bought the first Mantide, is so eager, in fact, that he's pondering personally financing a run at the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's Nürburgring lap record. And there's every reason to believe his car could reach that goal.

At 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, the 2009 ZR1 holds the current lap record for a stock, street-legal, series production automobiles (excluding such track-focused machinery as the Viper ACR and Radical SR8). Nissan has its eyes on the ZR1 and is closing in fast, but as delicate and fragile as it may look, the Mantide arguably stands the best chance of besting the supercharged Vette's time - mostly because it's based on the ZR1. Only it's 80kg (176 pounds) lighter and 30% more aerodynamic, thanks to the improvements made to the body by Jason Castriota and his team at Stile Bertone.

To test the theory, Watkins is mulling renting out the 'Ring for three days, hiring an expert Nordschleife driver, and of course, donating the use of his $2 million supercar. All in pursuit of the ultimate bragging rights. If it happens, well, be watching.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

eBay Find of the Day: Mammoth 1930s Hariss steam-powered split-window prototype

Now here's just the thing to mix up with a heated-up Flattie, or better yet, a Rajo Model T powerplant, which would be perfectly authentic for the vintage. Oh sure, purists will argue that this artifact, which apparently started life as a Hariss Steam Car prototype carrying a Stanley Steamer power unit, should be returned to its original state. Good luck figuring out exactly what that was.

With a deft enough touch, you could pay homage to the 1930s craftsmanship in this vehicle without ruining it. Either way, if you're determined enough to buy this obviously Stout Scarab-inspired vehicle (it currently has one bid at $8,500) it will be yours to do whatever you choose, critics be damned. Going all Travels With Charley with this split-window behemoth, especially towing a homebuilt teardrop trailer, would be a fantastic summer diversion, and if you did go all external-combustion-engine on it, you'd always have a fire to sit around at night.

Gallery: Hariss Steamer