Convertibles auto news

Backdraft: Does drilling a hole in a convertible's windshield alleviate buffeting? [w/VIDEO]

We've all been there: sun shining, cloudless skies, let's drop the lid and go for a ride. Now, if your noggin has a bowling-ball smooth finish, this isn't an issue; just smear on some sunscreen and go. But if you have, you know, hair, the air curling around behind you whips it around into a chaotic mess. Sure, you could wear a hat, but then you get hat head and need to sport that lid all day to keep it hidden and generally avoid ridicule.

Back in the 1980s, wind-blockers were developed, but these were often a pain in the neck to put in place. Plus, they look goofy. A team of Stanford engineering students has collaborated with their counterparts at the Technical University of Munich to develop a potential solution something they call OpenRoad. Essentially, it's a hole in the windshield. The idea in play here is quite simple: the air flowing through the center of the windshield creates a stream that prevents the air at the sides of the cockpit from curling back around.

Obviously a production version could be better integrated and actually route air from the front of the car rather than through the windshield, but the concept is beautifully simple and seems to work in the video. Check it out after the jump. Hat tip to Sarah

Gallery: Open road: hole in the windshield project

Continue reading Backdraft: Does drilling a hole in a convertible's windshield alleviate buffeting? [w/VIDEO]

Topless Hotness: Fiat reportedly planning 500C Abarth cabrio

With the Fiat 500 still selling like hotcakes, the Italian automaker's performance division is reportedly working on a new combination to further bolster interest in the retro hatch. Melding the best elements of the 500 Abarth and the new 500C convertible, Fiat is said to be preparing a 500C Abarth for launch overseas in time for the next sunny season.

Porting over the engines from the fixed-roof 500 Abarth, the cabrio would be offered with the 133hp 1.4-liter turbo four, upgradable to 157hp with the optional Esse-esse kit. But while most convertibles loose their rigidity and gain weight when the top is lopped off, the 500C's unique roof rail structure keeps torsional twist at bay - to say nothing of the Cinquecento's iconic profile. Pricing would be competitive with the new Mini Cooper Cabrio, and with both the Abarth and convertible variants expected to appear Stateside by 2011, there's a good chance Fiat will throw this one into the mix, too.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C

Review: 2009 Audi TTS is our Orange Crush... but only just a crush

The Audi TT is a highly entertaining package -- good looks, great personality, terrific cabin feel, solid handling and a good price. Yet with the TTS here and the TT-RS on the way (well, not for us Americans, but...), the TT becomes something like The Girl Next Door who you just found out has two hotter siblings. That doesn't mean you have to stop loving The Girl Next Door... but you're eyes may have a tendency to wander. Autoblog spent a week with the middle sister who was out to steal our hearts with an upgraded turbocharged engine, brilliant all-wheel drive and a flamboyant paint job. Follow the jump to find out if she kept our attention.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Audi TTS

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonathon R. Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Audi TTS is our Orange Crush... but only just a crush

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.21.09

	First Drive: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost delivers more than just a better engine Ford has revamped its Flex lineup to include a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 which produces V8 power while returning six-cylinder fuel economy. But as we found out, there's more to the 2010 Flex than a heart transplant.		Rolls-Royce gives up the Ghost... performance numbers The official performance numbers for the Rolls-Royce Ghost have been revealed, and as expected, you won't need to worry about getting embarrassed when leaving the clubhouse.
	Next Honda NSX could be dubbed "Super Hybrid Sports" The V10 NSX was supposed to own the sports car gods on Mt. Olympus, but after being nixed by Honda, rumors have emerged that the resurrected NSX will pack a V6 hybrid to challenge Toyota's own Supra replacement.	Other news of import VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teaser reveals round headlights, big grille are the real deal BMW admits four-cylinders are likely headed back to U.S. OnStar announces Remote Ignition Block for stolen vehicles GM says Camaro tranny issue is fixed, won't reveal cause Sandra Bullock: "I live for Top Gear"

Ferrari F430 Spider by Inden Design takes the low-key approach

Inden Design Ferrari F430 Spider - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a risky game, trying to improve upon a Ferrari. There are a handful of tuners (Edo Competition, Novitec Rosso) that arguably manage to pull it off, and now German tuning house Inden Design is aiming to join the ranks with its own modified F430. Fortunately, they've kept the modifications reasonable, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel and turning an automotive work of art into a rolling atrocity.

Under the hood, Inden Design has only tweaked with the ECU and fitted a new stainless exhaust system - fairly standard mods - yielding a not insignificant 35-horsepower boost to bring total output up to 525 ponies. Sport springs were added behind the multi-spoke 20-inch wheels, while a lip spoiler, side skirts and carbon diffuser round out the aerodynamics.

Meanwhile, Inden has managed to find a few areas inside that weren't already covered in leather and saw to that with judicious application of cowhide. While we're not sure we would have the chutzpah to tinker with a Ferrari, if we were so inclined Inden Design's approach strikes us as a sound. Check out the slick high-res images in the big gallery below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Gallery: Inden Design Ferrari F430 Spider

$300k Alfa 8C Spider the most expensive Alfa Romeo in history?

Alfa Rome 8C Spider - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're hoping to get your hands on an Alfa 8C Spider, well... take a number, because really - who doesn't? The open-air version of the highly coveted - and almost universally admired - 8C Competizione, the 8C Spider is a product of pure demand. But with only 500 examples set to be produced and just 35 of those destined for American shores, only a handful of eligible parties will get them. And those Yanks who are lucky enough to do so do will have to pay at least $299,000 for the privilege.

That list price alone - confirmed to Autoblog courtesy of Maserati North America (which is handling the model's distribution) - makes the 8C Spider the most expensive production Alfa ever. But with demand far outstripping supply, you can bet most of them will be trading hands at far higher prices than that - at least in the short term. That's is no mean feat considering present economic conditions.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Ferrari Scuderia owners assemble for Southern California gathering [w/VIDEO]

Ferrari Scuderia Gathering - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a beautiful sight - a Ferrari 430 Scuderia pulls out of a parking lot and onto the street, its 4.3-liter V8 changing from an angry rumble to a screaming stallion at 8500 rpm as it accelerates down the road. Now... multiply that by 22. That was the scene in Southern California this weekend where nearly two dozen Ferrari Scuderia owners (16 430 Scuderias and six Scuderia Spider 16Ms specifically) gathered for a mini car show and drive. Fortunately there were plenty of photographers on hand to capture the event, and one, Andre Ravinowich was kind enough to provide us with a high-res gallery. You can also check out www.speedandmotion.com for additional photos and videos, one of which you can watch after the jump.

Gallery: Ferrari Scuderia Southern California Gathering

Photos copyright (C)2009 Andrew Ravinowich

Continue reading Ferrari Scuderia owners assemble for Southern California gathering [w/VIDEO]

Rumored Mini coupe to be dubbed Broadspeed?

Those folks concerned with All Things Mini over at Motoringfile have some more salacious gossip regarding the rumored coupe and speedster variants. A conceptual version of the fixed-head sportster is expected at the Frankfurt Motor Show this autumn, and according to the website, the model will carry the moniker 'Broadspeed Coupe.' (Quick history lesson: A team by the name of Broadspeed raced Mini Coopers back in the 1960's, and they even went so far as to produce a racier coupe version of the of the Mark 1 1275 S (shown above).

Regardless of what they end up being called, the Mini coupe and speedster are expected to be based on the current model - reportedly making them the last such iterations to be based on the R57 platform. An earlier report pegged the coupe model as being available exclusively in hardcore John Cooper Works spec, but now Motoringfile suggests that due to economic and regulatory pressures, both cars will likely be offered as complete families, with standard Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW flavors.

Spy Shots: Tony Stark snapped driving Audi R8 V10 Spider

We were assuming the billionaire superhero genius will continue to have a great stable of rides in the next installment of the series, and spy photos taken on set confirm our suspicions. Robert Downey Jr. is seen driving in an Audi R8 V10 Spider during shooting of the film, which is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2010. In one of the spy photos, the V10 badging is clearly visible, confirming that Stark's drop-top R8 will be powered by VW's corporate 5.2-liter V10. With an expected 525 horsepower,the Audi R8 V10 Spider looks like our kind of Arc reactor.

Rumormill: Front-wheel drive, hybrid Honda S2000 "replacement" coming in 2012

The latest reports out of Japan could spell bad news for Honda S2000 enthusiasts the world over. According the Best Car, the rear-wheel drive roadster's replacement will likely ditch Honda's high-revving F20C in favor of the second-generation hybrid drivetrain slated to be fitted to the Accord, and further, the gasoline-electric mill will be driving the front wheels.

Although we've been hearing rumors about the S2000's successor for a few years, Honda hasn't provided any indication about if and where the new model is headed. Best Car contends that the new convertible - likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top - will slot in above the all-new Honda CR-Z due to debut in production form at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. If that's the case, we suspect the next S2000 will be marketed as more of a boulevard cruiser than a back-road bomber, and that could mean that it might be sold as an Acura if it arrives in the States at all. If it does land here badged as a Honda, might we suggest calling it Del Sol instead?