Top ten autonews articles

SEAT reveals limited edition Leon Supercopa

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The SEAT Leon Supercopa series that visits tracks in seven European countries is, according to SEAT, "the most powerful single-brand competition in Europe." In celebration of the series, Seat is making a special edition SEAT Leon Copa Edition that arguably looks even hotter than the race car.

The 2007 race car had a turbocharged inline 4 with 301 horsepower. The special edition version for the street gets the 2.0-liter TFSI, putting out 285 hp and 265 lb-ft. That means you get sixteen fewer chevaux than the race car, but fourteen more pounds of churn. With Eibach springs, bigger brakes, a SEAT Sport bodykit and 18" wheels, the package is good for a 5.9-second run to 62-MPH. If you want one, you'll need to scrounge up €38,500, and you'll need to hurry: SEAT is only making 55 of them. Oh, and you'll need to live in Europe, too.

Spied? BMW M1 Prototype caught undisguised (maybe)

Click above for high-res version

We've been debating whether or not this is a real photo or an expert rendering, but if it is a photoshopped image of a BMW M1 prototype, then it is very convincing. According to FreshTarmac.com, this photo was taken in a hangar in Spain. It shows a sleek two-door, probably mid-engined coupe with attributes of the new M3 incorporated into its design, especially the front fenders and hood. With BMW introducing the M1 Hommage Concept at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este last week, we hope this means that is already considering a production version. Come on BMW, build it!

Spy Shots: Alfa MiTo interior

Since revealing exterior shots of its upcoming MiTo hatchback, Alfa Romeo has kept the wraps over the car's interior. Maybe they were still working on the cabin, or maybe they wanted to keep something a mystery until the car's official unveiling this summer. Either way, the cat is apparently out of the bag, with this shot found circulating the internet.

Although the picture is a little grainy and poorly lit, from the looks of things, the MiTo's interior looks like a nice place to be. The center console with its large circular vents closely mirrors that of the 8C Competizione that inspired the MiTo's exterior styling. The dashboard has an intriguing swoosh to it and the steering wheel looks fittingly aggressive and modern, though this example seems to be lacking the manettino switch tipped to come on the more powerful versions.

Mitsubishi L200 Savana snorkels into Brazil

Click image for a high-res gallery of the L200 Savana

This week, Mitsubishi's Brazilian operation announced the return of the L200 Savana (the model had been previously available). While it shares its name with the snazzy-looking L200/Triton sold in many other markets (including Brazil), the offroad-flavored Savana variant is based on the last-gen truck. While the ultra-1990s interior is indeed dated, the overall package is pretty bitchin'.

Power comes from an 2.5L SOHC turbodiesel making either 121hp/189 lb-ft or 141 hp/221 lb-ft. An "Easy Select" transfer case lets the driver choose between 4x2, 4x4H and 4x4L modes, and shifts come courtesy of a 5-speed manual. Other standard features include a strengthened chassis, snorkel, roof basket (220 lb capacity), and in-bed storage boxes. The Savana's look is all-business, with charcoal wheel flares, bumpers, taillamp housings and grille trim. Knobby rubber adorns the 16-inch black-painted steelies and the headlight surrounds and hood scoop are finished in the primary body color. The spec sheet also tells us the L200 Savana has 9 inches of ground clearance, a 35-degree approach angle, and 26-degree departure angle.

All of this does not come cheap, mind you. Pricing starts at 86,990 Brazilian reais, or $50,255 USD if you were to do a direct currency conversion (for what it's worth). The price is the only thing we don't really like. The rest makes us wish we had a set of keys and a jungle nearby.

Gallery: Mitsubishi L200 Savana (Brazil)

Ingolstadt's version of the HUMMER limo

Click on the above image for a gallery of the Q7 limousine

Proving that money and taste don't always occupy common ground, we've stumbled upon this 14-seat Audi Q7 limousine (don't worry, it's not a factory conversion). With colorful purple Disco lighting adorning both the floor and ceiling, and heated alligator/snake upholstery covering the bench seats, the faux fish tank above the simulated flames doesn't seem so out of place. While twin 17-inch flat screens are nothing to brag about, the "jet door" mounted on the side will surely get you the looks you crave. Located in New York, we should mention it comes from the same company who also offers a 14-passenger Range Rover, and a 14-passenger Infiniti QX56. And you thought HUMMERS got all the fun...

Gallery: 2008 Audi Q7 Limo

Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Atlantic to headline Villa d'Este

Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic will headline the classic cars assembling for the annual Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este. The ultra-rare coupe, even rarer than the Type 57 Atalante recently unearthed from a garage in England, is one of only three ever built, and will be coming back to Europe for the first time in 18 years. The special appearance of special Bugatti will help the marque celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, and the show its 80th.

While the famous fashion designer's classic Bugatti is sure to garner its fair share of attention among the classic motors on the shores of Lake Como later this month, Bertone, Zagato and Morgan are anticipated to arrive with brand new designs of their own, promising to make this year's Villa d'Este assembly an especially memorable event.

Gallery: Speed, Style and Beauty: The Ralph Lauren Car Collection

New York Preview: 510-hp Range Rover Sport emphasizes the "S" in SUV

Like the new LR4 and classic Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport also gets plenty of upgrades for the 2010 model year. Like the regular RR, the Sport gets the same 5.0L direct-inject V8s from Jaguar in either naturally aspirated or supercharged guise plus a new six-speed automatic transmission. The NA puts out 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque while the force fed mill creates 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, the latter good for 5.9-second sprints to 60 mph. The Sport's exterior has also been tweaked with a new two-bar grille centered in the revised front end and new rear tail-lamps nestled above a redesigned rear bumper. The interior has also been redone with higher quality materials and a new steering wheel that includes paddle shifters on the supercharged model. Throw in enough electronic nannies to make even the Queen look like a good driver and you've got an eminently more capable sports SUV than the one it replaces.

Gallery: 2010 Range Rover Sport

Continue reading New York Preview: 510-hp Range Rover Sport emphasizes the "S" in SUV

Coming to America: Volkswagen GTI R-Series

As good as the Volkswagen GTI is, an infusion of extra power couldn't possibly hurt. VW's GTI R32 was a highly refined car, but buyers quickly realized that the 3.2L VR6's 250 horsepower was barely enough to compensate for the engine's added weight over the standard GTI's 2.0L turbo four and the R32's heavy all-wheel drive system. What's more, the R32 was short-lived; it's no longer available for the 2009 model year. Enter the GTI R-Series.

According to Car and Driver, VW will bring the R-Series to the United States, possibly to be named R20, featuring the powerplant from the Audi S3. Expect around 270 horsepower from a high-pressure 2.0L turbo engine - a 70-horsepower improvement over the standard GTI. That power will be funneled through either a standard 6-speed stick or dual clutch DSG transmission to the front wheels. Like some other high-power front-wheel drive cars, an electronic differential will try and cope with the inevitable torque steer.

As much as we'd love to see the big 3.6L V6 engine from the Passat stuffed under the GTI's hood, a small turbo four will likely make for a better handling package along with reasonably good fuel economy - definitely something to look forward to later this year as a 2010 model. Thanks for the tip, other man!

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen GTI LIVE

eBay Find of the Day: Jaguar XJ220 in LeMans Blue

Click above for gallery of 1994 Jaguar XJ220 on eBay Motors

It's hard to imagine Jaguar ever producing a supercar considering its current sad state of sales, but it did just that back in the early '90s when our walls were plastered with posters of the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo and this, the Jaguar XJ220. In our humble estimation, the XJ220 is one of the most gorgeous supercars ever designed, and rather than relying on eight or twelve cylinders like its Italian competition, the XJ220 reached 200+ mph using a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 producing 550 horsepower and 473 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, no one ever got one up to 220 mph to validate the car's nomenclature. The XJ220 went on the market in 1992 with a base price of $650,000 and only 281 were ever made. One of those examples from 1994 is up for auction on eBay Motors with a starting bid of $300,000. Bathed in a rich-looking LeMans blue paint job, this example has only 3,092 miles on its odometer, though it appears to have a few items that need attention. One of the wheel center caps is missing, the passenger side headlight cover is off, and is that an aftermarket stereo in there? The rest of the car looks as fresh as the day it was built. We doubt Jaguar will be returning to the supercar ring with a contender anytime soon, but this eBay Motors auction reminds us of a time when Jaguar stood toe-to-toe with the giants. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

Gallery: Jaguar XJ220 on eBay Motors

Beijing 2008: Citroen C2 Kappa jogs onstage

Click image for a high-res gallery of the C2 Kappa

Now that the 2008 Beijing Motor Show is underway, we're getting a chance to see how a lot of those sketches and renderings we saw ahead of the festivities translate into actual cars. One of the concepts we were curious about was the collaborative effort between Citroën and sports apparel maker Kappa. Not only is the red-and-white C2 Kappa concept faithful to the drawing released last month, it's also pretty cool.

The C2 Kappa is lowered and fully kitted, sporting a unique front fascia that tones down the base car's oversized headlamps and adds aggressive Kappa-emblazoned grillework below the bumper. That logo is repeated all along the fat red racing stripe that runs from nose to tail, flanked by thinner grey accent stripes. Another red door stripe with the Kappa branding runs along each flank. A roof spoiler and a color-keyed diffuser insert add visual flair in back, while white rally-style wheels take up residence at the corners. Inside, sport seats with the Kappa insignia dress up the passenger cabin, rounding out this very appealing styling exercise from Dongfeng Citroën and Kappa.

Gallery: Beijing 2008: Citroen C2 Kappa - Live Shots

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