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Filed under: Car Buying , LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Porsche Click on the image above for our high-res gallery Even as the industry swirls in turmoil, Porsche continues to offer hope to enthusiasts as they relentlessly increase performance without sacrificing efficiency. For 2009, Porsche has give the Boxster and Cayman a mild facelift, along with updated the interior and accessories. More importantly, and following in the footsteps of the 911 Carrera PDK , all 2009 Cayman and Boxster models will also be offered with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe transmission (aka PDK). Mated to the new transmission are two significantly reworked engines featuring direct injection. The result is more power, and improved fuel economy (we shouldn't fail to mention that the PDK accelerates faster than the six-speed manual). Porsche is offering two engines in 2009. The standard engine is a 2.9-liter flat-six rated at 255 hp. The "S" models are fitted with a more...
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Filed under: LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Ford Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang When the 2005 Ford Mustang debuted, it thoroughly reinvigorated the pony car segment that it created four decades earlier. After 25 years of being assembled on the archaic rear-wheel-drive Fox platform, the Mustang finally had an all-new platform and styling that hearkened back to the late 1960s. Known as the S197, this Mustang appeared at a time when it was in fact the only surviving member of the muscle car class. The Camaro and Firebird had been cancelled two years earlier and Chrysler had been out of the rear-wheel-drive sport coupe market since the 1970s. The Mustang's enormous success inspired Chevrolet and Dodge to create their own retro-styled muscle cars in the form of the new Camaro and Challenger. Fortunately for Mustang fans, Ford has not been sitting idle, and even while it was creating all those special edition Mustangs over the past few years...
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Filed under: Tuners , Convertibles , Hybrids/Alternative , Sports/GTs , Green Click above for high-res gallery of the BRABUS Tesla Roadster As we move inexorably toward the electrification of cars, companies that have made a business out of tweaking engines for more power will have to make some significant changes to their business model. BRABUS is a company known as the primary third-party alternative to AMG when it comes to enhanced cars from the house of Daimler, and today has announced its first foray into electricity. The German tuner is now offering a package of changes for the very few people who have or will soon own a Tesla Roadster. For the moment at least, changes to the all-electric powertrain are verboten. That means BRABUS has focused on other things like stylistic "enhancements" and a supremely odd "space sound generator" that emits the roar of a V8, race car engine or two futuristic sounds called "Beam" and "Warp". A set of LED running...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Volkswagen Automotive News is reporting that Volkswagen has moved the debut of its mid-engine roadster from this month at the LA Auto Show to January at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The only reason given for the move is that VW expects there to be more interest for the concept two-seater in Detroit than LA. We would hazard a guess that it's also got something to do with budgets being trimmed back, but what do we know. There's still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the VW mid-engine roadster, like what size four-cylinder will be installed behind the seats and whether or not the platform will make extensive use of aluminum to keep weight down. Though the car debuting in Detroit will be a concept, a production version is expect in 2011 if things go according to plan. Because a two-seat, mid-engine roadster is anything but a volume seller, however, this...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , SEMA , Tuners , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Mercedes-Benz Click above for a high-res gallery of the Carbonite SL If you were this close to purchasing an SLR but recent events concerning a guy named Lehman severely reduced your amount of disposable cash, then allow us to introduce you to the SL Carbonite. For the price of a 2003-2008 Mercedes SL, plus $47,400 for Carbonite's hood, fenders, front and rear fascias, lowered suspension and Mandrus 20-inch wheels, you can have an SL(R) for a song that's a lot less pricey than the Mercedes-McLaren. Carbonite has also said it will only build 20 of these cars per year, which means your money could get you even more exclusivity than the real thing. Of course, what your money can't do is erase the fact that you don't actually have the real thing -- but that hasn't stopped so many others... Check out the high-res gallery of doppelganger shots below. Gallery: SEMA 2008: Carbonite SL(R) SEMA 2008...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Chevrolet , Special/Limited Editions Click either image for a hi-res gallery of the Andros XTM and XTR Looking at the Andros XTR, we're reminded of the Ferrari California we just drove in Sicily. But while the Ferrari was just unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last month, the Andros actually made its debut in concept form several years ago at SEMA . Prophetic? Maybe, but Andros says they drew inspiration from classic Ferraris, as well as Aston Martins, Jaguars and Maseratis. Either way, it's a compelling design... for a kit car. Based on the C6 Corvette, the Andros is part of a revival of the time-honored tradition of rebodying Vettes in Italian-style coachwork (check out Pininfarina's take) that has included such recent examples as the Castagna Aznom and Spada Codatronca . In addition to the XTM roadster, the Andros is also available in XTR coupe and XTS targa bodystyles, with panels made from carbon fiber and select steel...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Audi Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi TT-S Audi announced today that pricing for its U.S.-spec TT-S will begin at $45,500 for the Coupe model and $47,500 for the open-air Roadster. The TT-S joins the TT 2.0T and TT 3.2 in Audi's lineup, settling atop the range with a turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L TFSI engine producing 265 hp @ 6,000 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's 15 more horsepower and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the TT with Audi's 3.2L V6. The TT-S Coupe also manages to hit 60 mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds while achieving a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg. Top speed for both the Coupe and Roadster, however, will be electronically limited to 155 mph. For their money, buyers will also get Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission, magnetic ride suspension and the brand's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system. If the TT-S is still not fast enough for you, the TT-RS is on its...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Audi Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi TT-S Audi announced today that pricing for its U.S.-spec TT-S will begin at $45,500 for the Coupe model and $47,500 for the open-air Roadster. The TT-S joins the TT 2.0T and TT 3.2 in Audi's lineup, settling atop the range with a turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L TFSI engine producing 265 hp @ 6,000 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's 15 more horsepower and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the TT with Audi's 3.2L V6. The TT-S Coupe also manages to hit 60 mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds while achieving a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg. Top speed for both the Coupe and Roadster, however, will be electronically limited to 155 mph. For their money, buyers will also get Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission, magnetic ride suspension and the brand's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system. If the TT-S is still not fast enough for you, the TT-RS is on its...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , SEMA , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Dodge Click above for high-res renderings of the Group Five Limited Challenger Speedster Aftermarket companies have plans to take the Challenger in directions that Dodge isn't willing to go, first and foremost by stripping off its top. Dodge won't be doing the deed itself due to cost and weight considerations, but for those lovers of open-air motoring with deep enough pockets, anything can be done. We've already posted on the first such example that's headed for the upcoming SEMA Show in Vegas, which will come from Coach Builders Ltd. and appears to be a pretty straightforward roof-removal. Now we've caught wind that a second Challenger convertible is headed to Sin City from Group Five Limited . This Challenger 'vert comes sans top and with a cut-down windshield for that classic "speedster" profile. Other body mods clean up the front and rear fascias for a true shaved, custom look. Take a look...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Euro , Supercars , Ferrari , First Drive Click above for hi-res gallery of the Ferrari California The best Ferrari is the next Ferrari. Whether you consider that to be a statement of fact or an opinion largely depends on how you define the term. It's an opinion like a Supreme Court justice's ruling is called an "opinion". Or better yet, like billions worldwide would view the Bible as God's "opinion". Coming from the mouth of the legendary Enzo Ferrari himself - famously expressed in response to a journalist's query - for the congregations of the faithful around the world, it's the gospel truth. The Commendatore's statement was - as it remains to this day - backed up by a spirit of progress, by the constant pursuit of technical perfection that continues to drive his company into the 21st century and which makes each new Ferrari better than the last. Follow Enzo's declaration to its natural end and you'll...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Sedans/Saloons , Sports/GTs , Plants/Manufacturing , Hatchbacks , Supercars , Earnings/Financials , Alfa Romeo Dang. And everything was looking so good for a return of the Alfa Romeo brand to the United States. Too bad, it seems, 'cause the latest reports indicate that the Italian purveyor of stylish automobiles such as the Brera , 159 and the drool-worthy 149 will be pushed back to 2011 at the earliest. Fortunately for the very well heeled, the Alfa 8C Competizione has been made available through an assorted group of Maserati dealerships, though it's already sold out . Such a quick sellout indicates that there are plenty of enthusiasts anxiously awaiting the marque's entrance Stateside, but our current horrible economic climate will likely dictate otherwise. Alfa's owner, Fiat, is having difficulties of its own as it attempts to stem the tide of falling sales figures along with rest of the industry. Apparently, the only way for Fiat...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Auction Action , Celebrities Auction house Bonhams is gearing up for another landmark event, scheduled to take place in just a few days at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Enthusiasts undeterred by the financial crisis will find all manner of automobile and automobilia at the auction, including several Steve McQueen artifacts, a land-speed record-breaking 1949 Vincent motorbike, and a selection of muscle cars from the collection of action movie star Bruce Willis. Bruce will be offloading a prized collection of classic American steel, including a pair of Corvette roadsters (an original '57 and a '67 Stingray ), a 1955 Chevy Nomad , a '69 Dodge Charger and the piece de resistance , a 1968 Shelby GT500 convertible . The star factor is sure to add to their value, and the latter is expected to fetch upwards of $150,000. For a closer look, head on down to The Petersen, or just click on the images in the gallery below to see what...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Hybrids/Alternative , Sports/GTs , Tech Click above for high-res gallery of Tesla Roadster v1.5 Last January we landed an exclusive first drive of the Tesla Roadster . We were impressed, but well aware that the particular two-gear model we drove that wet afternoon wasn't identical to the version set to land in customers' hands later in the year. Last week, we were invited back to briefly test drive a genuine production model with the latest transmission and software updates (aka "powertrain 1.5"). Check out our round-two impressions after the jump. (Ed. Note: Sorry for the lack of live images, but we literally had about half-hour to drive the car before it was whisked away.) Gallery: 2009 Tesla Roadster v1.5 Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster Continue reading Driven: 2009 Tesla Roadster v1.5 Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Porsche , First Drive Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK Introduced in 1963, the Porsche 911 is one of the most successful competition cars ever built. Despite its unconventional rear-engine platform, the 911 Carrera holds recorded wins in nearly every type of automotive competition. Continuously upgraded and refined, Porsche has introduced a mid-cycle refresh for the 2009 model year. While the cosmetic changes are immediately apparent, the most significant improvements - two new engines and a new double-clutch transmission - are hidden under its sleek skin. We spent a long day putting the 2009 911 Carrera through its paces on a race track near Salt Lake City framed by the spectacular snow-capped surrounding mountains of Utah. Read our impressions after the jump. Gallery: 2009 Porsche Carrera 911 PDK Photos Copyright (C)2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Porsche...
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Filed under: Convertibles , Hybrids/Alternative , Sports/GTs , Green , Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Click above for high-res gallery of the Tesla Roadster Tesla is now on its fourth CEO in just 12 months as the fledgling all-electric automaker has announced today that chief fund-raiser, architect and Chairman Elon Musk will take up the mantle from current CEO Ze'ev Drori. Early this morning Valleywag reported that Tesla would be firing up to 100 of its staff and that Drori might be leaving. A call to Tesla SVP Darryl Siry revealed that the story was not entirely accurate. Drori is not leaving the company, but will move over to become Vice Chairman. Exactly what that means is not entirely known at this point, although clearly Musk intends to take a more hands on role now that his Space-X rocket finally managed to get into orbit. Tesla is also laying off some staff, although the extent of lay offs is unknown at this time. Siry promised an official announcement sometime this morning, but we're...
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