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Filed under: Spy Photos , Convertibles , BMW Our ever-vigilant readers have struck, proving yet again that in the age of the camera phone, almost anyone with a mobile device can emulate Jim Dunne, Brenda Priddy or Hans Lehmann. The latest capture we've received comes from reader Charlie Hung, who recently spotted this black roadster on a Southern California freeway. A quick inspection of the images reveals it to be the next-generation BMW Z4 that's been spodded periodically for some time now. The bodywork on BMW's latest offerings would suggest that the current Z4's flame surfacing will probably be radically toned down. Much of the contouring we see on this prototype is likely just camouflage. Underhood, we'll probably get the same powertrain lineup as the 3 Series, with the next M Roadster getting the M3's V8. Judging from the size of the rear window, the Z4 will probably pick up a retractable hard top as well. When the new Z4 debuts, BMW will move production from...
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Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage , Convertibles , Euro , Mercedes-Benz , AMG Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG It sits there, all tension and sinew, ready to pounce on lesser cars. Start it up and it barks with a clear V8 voice that thumps off the neighbor's house, setting them discreetly peeking from behind their lace curtains. This is an SLK? Oh yeah. No longer a blocky Benz with dwarfism, the SLK55 AMG ripples with muscle and delivers speed like a spin kick to the temple. A bad-ass Mercedes, indeed. Gallery: Mercedes SLK55 AMG Photos Copyright (C)2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Ford , Misc. Auto Shows , Rendered Speculation Just because there's been new life breathed into small cars doesn't mean buyers are going to clamor for dour, joyless, fun-free clunkers. Ford's well aware of that, so its readying a soft-top version of its lauded new Fiesta. The fabric-roofed little party on wheels will make its debut at next week's British Motor Show and should be on the road by early 2010. The sharp looking little cabrio forgoes the popular folding hardtop trend to save weight and maintain usefulness with a small-folding top stack. Competition is heating up in Europe, with plenty of smartly styled, diminutive 'verts hitting the market. We hope that when the Fiesta takes its boat ride across the Atlantic, some of these are tossed in the cargo hold. [Source: Auto Express ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Euro , FIAT Click above for a high-res version from WorldCarFans. We've always been fond of the Smart roadster, which never officially made it to U.S. shores and proved to be a flop across the pond. But this rendering, courtesy of WorldCarFans, has us thinking that a second attempt might be worthwhile. If the Abarth roadster ever comes to fruition, it would be an exercise in balancing a lightweight structure with a small price tag. Cost prohibitive carbon fiber couldn't be used, so some other form of composite would have to be employed for the chassis and body panels. Abarth could source the 135 hp, 1.4-liter mill from its own version of the Fiat 500 for power, mount it amidships and call it done. WCF dons its speculative cap and figures that if Abarth gives the roadster the green light, Europe could see the minimalist two-door by 2013 sporting a £12,000 sticker. [Source: WorldCarFans ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Safety , Ferrari We're fully aware that even supercars must undergo crash testing. But we like to think of the process the same way we do hamburgers. When we get hungry, we're able to totally banish any curiosity about what gruesome process transformed the cow into lunch. Photos from inside a slaughterhouse would evoke the same emotions as these shots of a Ferrari California after crash testing. The Italian Web site that posted them says they were taken at Ferrari supplier Webasto . The Germany-based company created the convertible top for Ferrari's Superamerica, and are apparently testing their product on the California. But, thanks to Google's interesting Italian translation we're not exactly sure what's going on. Can you make any sense of, "According to recent information, however, Webasto has yet to make up because their folding roof is still suffering from a children's diseases." We sure hope it's not contagious...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow. As previously reported , KTM plans to expand its offerings beyond the X-Bow, with the introduction of a duo of new city cars and a lightweight off-roader. But KTM isn't content with leaving the X-Bow alone . When the Geneva Motor Show rolls around next March, the newest entrant into the four-wheeled world will get a healthy boost in output courtesy of the Audi S3's 261 hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged FSI engine. According to Autocar , the more powerful model could be joined later by a new variant sporting a full windshield and a removable roof, making the case for the X-Bow more compelling and allowing KTM to take aim at traditional track toys. Gallery: KTM X-Bow [Source: Autocar via NextAutos ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Tech , Porsche , Rendered Speculation Click above for more renderings of the 2010 Porsche Cayman S We're already smitten by the current-generation Porsche Cayman and its older brother, the Boxster, and it now appears as if the iconic German automaker is poised to improve the breed even further. What first began with forum rumblings now appears to be official information from the factory. The revised Boxster S and Cayman S models will get direct injection and the new seven speed PDK transmission along with a limited slip differential. That DI is responsible for an increase of 25 ponies to 320 hp along with 273 lb.-ft. of torque in the Cayman. Lesser models don't get the DI, but will get a displacement bump from 2.7- to 2.9-liters and a corresponding jump to 265 horsepower. The Boxster and Boxster S each offer ten fewer ponies than the Cayman. Along with the new PDK transmission, which produces faster shifts than the conventional six...
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Convertibles , Supercars , Mercedes-Benz Click above for a hi-res gallery of the SLR Speedster. The shutterbugs at KGP have captured the forthcoming McLaren SLR Speedster as it hits the Nordschleife for some testing. The car's expected to be lighter but just as powerful as the standard SLR and SLR Roadster, meaning it could conceivably be able to blow their respective doors off. A top end of 220 mph should be available to those who like to stare down the Reaper for kicks, and KGP reports that the car could be unveiled by the end of the month with one Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel. Gallery: Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster [Source: KGP Photography] Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Car Buying , Convertibles , Coupes , Sedans/Saloons , Supercars , Lexus , Toyota Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future. According to Inside Line , the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level Buick luxury sedan is also on the chopping block. Fans of...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Sedans/Saloons , Paris Motor Show , BMW The 2009 BMW 3-series will be revealed in all its facelifted glory at the Paris Motor Show and sales will begin across North America this October. The only discernible differences up front are a new fascia that apes the recently unveiled 7-series , new headlamps with "altered graphics," a contoured hood and modified mirror housings. Out back, the subtle changes continue, with a new taillight design that integrates more cleanly into the trunk lid and a reworked bumper that will join a one-inch wider track on high end version of the 3-series. Inside, you'll find a revised armrest on the driver's side door, an updated iDrive controller and software, a high-resolution 8.8-inch screen, with options for an 80-gig hard drive that can store MP3s and the sat nav software. The 335i's (claimed) 300 hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo six will remain, as will the 328i's 230 hp, 3.0-liter inline-six. The new...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Supercars , Bugatti , Misc. Auto Shows According to InsideLine, Bugatti plans to unveil its Targa variant of the Veyron next month at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California. The open-air hyper-car will use a removable hardtop, while a fabric cover can be used in its place if the heavens decide to open up mid-jaunt. IL is reporting that the chassis will be heavily reinforced to cope with the loss of the crucial structural component. Production will begin next year along side the Targa's fixed-roof predecessor, and with the current Veyron going for around $2 million, don't expect to get your 217-mph (limited) top speed kicks without paying another $250,000 on top of the Veyron's base-price. [Source: InsideLine ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Convertibles , BMW Click above for a high resolution image The M division is a natural choice for anyone who wants a high performance BMW, but that hasn't stopped G-Power from offering go-fast parts for Bimmer owners who want an extra kick in the pants. Their latest offering is the EVO III supercharger package for the Z4 3.0i that boosts horsepower from the standard 231 to a whopping 375. Good enough to run with the Z4 M Roadster, the G-Power Z4 can reach 60 mph in under five seconds and tops out at 186 mph. Other upgrades are available, including aerodynamic body panels, 20-inch wheels, adjustable coilovers, 15-inch brakes, and a quad exhaust system. More info on this M-fighter in the press release after the jump. Gallery: G-Power G4 3.0i EVO III [Source: G-Power] Continue reading G-Power aims to rival M with supercharged Z4 Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Convertibles , Honda , Misc. Auto Shows The London Motor Show opens up on July 22nd and with it, comes a new concept from Honda, the Open Study Model or OSM. The lightweight, two-seater, open-air sports car is another design study by Honda that attempts to blend performance and sustainable motoring into a comprehensive package. Designed by Honda's R&D center in Offenbach, Germany, the OSM is a vehicle in the same environmentally friendly vein as the CR-Z concept unveiled in Tokyo last year, considered to be a low emissions alternative to the traditional sports coupe. The CR-Z is still slated to be released sometime next year , but Honda insists that the OSM is strictly a design study and is not confirmed for production. However, as OSM (read: awesome) as it may be, it's not the next S2000, according to Honda spokesperson Steve Kirk. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Convertibles , Maserati Maseratis are capable of tremendous momentum, and that's exactly what the company has been carrying forward. With only a two-model line-up, Maserati has been hard at work coming out with new variants and updates at every turn. Following on the heels of the GranTurismo and GranTurismo S, the Trident marque is in the process of unveiling the new Quattroporte , but the next batter is already on deck and ready to swing. Although these spy shots are heavily disguised, the wheels and front end betray a GranTurismo, but the hunched back - like that seen on test mules of the new Ferrari California before its launch - suggest a convertible roof mechanism. While previous reports couldn't ascertain whether the anticipated cabrio version of the elegant GT would incorporate a folding hard-top or more traditional cloth enclosure, the size of the test mule's appendage suggests the former. Reports indicate a launch in March of next year, which...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Honda , Rendered Speculation The Honda S2000 has been on the US market since 1999, and although it's long in the tooth, the rev-happy two-seater still brings joy to drivers with its well-balanced RWD goodness. We're looking forward to an all-new S2000, and according to a few Japanese magazines, we can expect to see the S2K's replacement in 2010. One mag commissioned the above rendering, which incorporates clean, angular lines, similar to those found on recent concepts from Honda and Acura . The topless rendering also exhibits an improved rendition of the aesthetically questionable Honda grille, along with some US-centric chrome rims. The next generation S2000 is rumored to be powered by a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines, with the four still packing 2.4 liters, but producing around 250 hp, and the a larger 3.5-liter unit putting out around 350 ponies. While a modestly enhanced 2.4 makes sense as the base engine, we're unsure if a larger...
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