Misc. Auto Shows
Misc. Auto Shows, Latest Automobiles News, Trucks Ranking, Worldwide Cars Review
Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows
Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Ford Focus RS.
We've been teased twice and now we finally get our first unmasked glimpse of the Ford Focus RS concept, due to debut at the London Motor Show next month. Images of the gaudy green hatch have begun to surface on a few sites across the pond, and the aggressive body work and racy interior mean that Ford's hottest hatch has to be packing some serious kit underhood. It is.
The Focus RS will be equipped with a tweaked version of the turbocharged Duratec 2.5-liter inline-five found in the ST, and will send between 280 and 300 hp, along with 300+ lb.-ft. of torque, through the front wheels via a six-speed gearbox equipped with a Quaife limited-slip differential. With that kind of power, the RS should be able to make the run to 60 in less than six seconds - assuming you don't torque-steer yourself into a tree in the process.
The dynamic body kit, complete with gaping maw, flared fenders, side sills, rear diffuser and wing, and unfortunate fender vents, compliments the lowered ride height, 19-inch, 15-spoke wheels and upgraded brakes. Inside, color-matched, two-tone Recaro thrones join an RS-specific instrument cluster and smaller diameter steering wheel.More information should be released in the run-up to the show. As always, watch this space.
Gallery: Leakage: Ford Focus RS
[Source: Autoblog Spanish - Translated]
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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, GM, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel, Vauxhall
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Insignia.
GM's European branch is planning a big debut later this month at the British Motor Show in London for one of its most important mainstream models. The new Insignia is replacing the venerable Vectra and brings with it a whole new design language. We got our first preview of the new look on last years GTC and Flextreme concepts. In London, Opel will be displaying hatchback and sedan variants of the Epsilon II-based Insignia, with the sharp edged look of the Vectra replaced with smoother flowing lines and scooped out side panels. European drivers will have seven engines to choose from including four gas and three diesel models, all with six speed gearboxes. The four- and six-cylinder gas engines range from 115 hp to 260 hp, while the 2.0L diesel fours get 110-160 hp variants. The Insignia will also be available with a version of the Haldex torque vectoring all wheel drive system used on the Saab Turbo-X. GM plans to announce pricing for the new model on July 22 in London with sales later this fall, and don't be surprised if the Insignia makes the trip across the Atlantic and receives a Saturn badge in the process. The Opel press release is after the jump.
Gallery: British Motor Show: Opel Insignia
[Source: General Motors]
Continue reading British Motor Show Preview: Opel Insignia to debut in hatch and sedan forms
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Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, Toys
Click above for the Cars at BIMS in high-res
British kids are at least as into cars as American kids, and probably liked the Pixar movie just as much. But Route 66 is far away from old Blimey, as is the Cars-dedicated theme park which Disney is making at its California Adventure location. British parents will soon be able to pacify their octane-snorting Olivers when the British International Motor Show opens its doors in London, where a full Cars attraction will make its UK debut.
The highlight of the attraction will be a display of life-size Cars cast members, based on actual automobiles. Lightning McQueen will be there (based on a '78 Trans Am), along with Sally Carrera ('02 911) and Mack the Truck ('85 Mack Super-Liner), but British lads might relate best to Mater the buck-toothed tow-truck (based on a Chevy dually pick-up). Kids can also try out the special gaming pods and get their faces painted - though we doubt Ramone (voiced by Cheech) will be there to turn out the his custom schemes.
Gallery: Pixar's Cars at BIMS
[Source: BIMS]
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Filed under: SUVs, Land Rover, Misc. Auto Shows, UK
Click to view the Range Rover Autobiography in hi-res
Land Rover is preparing to unveil a new, even more luxurious version of its range-topping Range Rover at its home-market British International Motor Show later this month in London. Oddly named the Autobiography (though no more odd than the Vogue nameplate), the new luxury trim level features an array of premium features.
Among the elements that set the Autobiography apart from its "lesser" siblings are a choice of three new wheels (you actually get four of them, plus a spare) like the 20-inch diamond-turned alloys seen in the picture above, a pallet of new color options and stainless steel grille and side vents. Inside, the Range Rover Autobiography gets new leather trim everywhere, optional wood trim on the steering wheel and shifter, stainless steel pedals and sat-nav and TV screens.
Follow the jump to read the full press release, and click on the thumbnails below to view in high resolution (and we don't mean like living clean or eating less Doritos this year).
Gallery: Range Rover Autobiography
[Source: Land Rover]
Continue reading Land Rover unveils Range Rover Autobiography for British show
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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows
Reports indicate that the highly-anticipated Lotus Eagle will be making its debut next month at the British Motor Show. The 2+2 sports car will be the first all-new Lotus in about 13 years, and will reportedly be powered by a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 lifted out of the Camry family sedan but highly modified for the task by Lotus' own engineering gurus. Output is pegged at 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque in naturally-aspirated guise, with a turbocharged version also reportedly in the works.
Along with the latest reports comes this teaser image reportedly released by Lotus ahead of the vehicle's debut, which joins the image of the front suspension module released way back in February and the spy shots that have been trickling in ever since. The teaser shows an unmistakably Lotus front end draped by a sheet which we hope to see lifted on July 22 from the show in London.
[Source: CarScoop]
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Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for high-res gallery of the IFR Aspid
While we can't get enough of the Caterham and all its copycats, the one thing we've never said to ourselves is, "This needs a roof, some luxury amenities and 400 horsepower." But that's exactly what IFR Automotive has done with the Aspid. IFR is an acronym for the engineer that founded the firm, Ignacio Fernandez Rodriquez, whose former employers include Prodrive and the Mitsubishi WRC team. Rodriquez wanted to create a track-day masterpiece that would not only confirm to FIA safety standards and European homologation requirements, but also offer a level of luxury and refinement previous unseen on other track-bound whips.
The result is a lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber structure that tips the scales at around 1,550 pounds. Two engines will be available when the production model hits the streets later this year, including a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter producing 270 hp, or a 400-hp turbocharged version of the same mill. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. With that kind of power to weight ratio (570 hp per ton), IFR is predicting a 0-62 run of 2.8 seconds, a 0-100 sprint of 5.9 seconds and a maximum (restricted) speed of 155 mph. Slowing and turning the Aspid should be equally dramatic, with the lightweight coupe halting from 100 mph in three seconds flat and hitting 1.6 g of lateral acceleration.
All that mind-boggling performance will come at a cost, so when you place your order after the Aspid's debut at the London Motor Show next month, you'll be expected to cough up £75,000 before you can take delivery next summer. Press release below the fold.
Gallery: IFR Aspid Roadster
[Source: Aspid via SCC]
Continue reading 400-hp Aspid roadster coming to London Motor Show
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Filed under: Convertibles, Rolls-Royce, Misc. Auto Shows
Pininfarina announced yesterday that the legendary Italian design house has been commissioned to create a one-off version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for an unnamed client. Said client apparently wants to make a big splash with his (or her) bespoke coupe, so they've given Pininfarina the go-ahead to debut the Hyperion at the Pebble Beach Concours in August.
The press release (posted below the fold) doesn't reveal any more details about the swoopy Roller, aside from saying that it is "firmly rooted in the history and heritage of the two Brands" and that the Hyperion is an homage to the pre-war cars of yore. We'll be on hand to see the unveiling of the Hyperion when it makes its debut in less than two months.
[Source: Pininfarina]
Continue reading Pinanfarina Hyperion to be unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours
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Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for high-res gallery of Mazda's new CUV concept
Mazda announced today that it will debut a new compact crossover concept at this year's Moscow International Automobile Salan that incorporates the brand's Nagare design language into a more functional form. While not yet officially named, the crossover concept is said to express the design theme of "crosswinds" and is being developed specifically for the Russian market. SUVs are still popular in Russia and the market for new cars has grown large enough there to warrant the specific attention of automakers. The Moscow Motor Show will take place in late August at which time we'll get to see Mazda's Russian crossover concept, and we're told an official name will be announced in due course. Check out a few more pics in the gallery below to see if this concept is as impressive as Mazda's previous Nagare concepts, including the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai.
Gallery: Mazda Compact Crossover SUV Concept (Moscow)
[Source: Mazda]
Continue reading Mazda targets Moscow with new crossover concept
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Filed under: Time Warp, Misc. Auto Shows
Click any image to enlarge
The sights confirmed that it was was Car Guy Heaven, even if the weather was more reminiscent of Hell on Earth. That, in a nutshell, sums up the 2008 edition of the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, a 2-day automotive carnival that never ceased to amaze, no matter how many times we walked around the grounds. Each pass seemed to reveal something new -- something we somehow missed just a few minutes earlier. As always, Day 1 was dedicated to American cars and Day 2 paid tribute to the Europeans. Oh, and temps were in the mid-90s and very humid both days. That didn't make it less awesome, though. Just more...sticky.
Gallery: 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Day 1 - The Americans
Gallery: 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Day 2 - The Europeans
All photos Copyright (C)2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
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Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Special/Limited Editions
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Focus RS
In the magical lands where the Focus looks cool, otherwise known as Europe, new images of the hotrod 2009 Focus RS have had enthusiasts atwitter the last few days. While the images are clearly 'chops - the wheels and backgrounds look like they're in high speed motion, while the tire tread is statue-still - they're reportedly legitimate mockups that were used to illustrate internally how the car might look. Ford confirmed their legitimacy today when it released two more photos of an actual Focus RS prototype along with a press release. The two new pics show the RS prototype racing around the Nurburgring where it's being tested ahead of its launch in 2009. The press release confirms that the RS will be powered by a Duratic 2.5L engine that's turbocharged to produce 280 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Ford also claims it's got torque steer for this pocket rocket in check with a new front-wheel-drive system and limited-slip differential. As for the design, we'll get to see it for the first time at the 2009 London Motor Show in late July. Check out both the photoshopped pics and Ford's two official pics in our gallery below and read the official press release for yourself after the jump. Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS
[Source: Ford, CarTribe via Carscoop]
Continue reading 2009 Focus RS info emerges after internet leaks
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Filed under: Etc., Misc. Auto Shows, Special/Limited Editions
The Woodward Dream Cruise has been a very professionally run event for most of the past 13 years, but when it came time to check for updates on the Dream Cruise website, it was amateur hour. That has changed, as the rip-roaring event has been given a more modern website with easy to traverse navigation and cleaner graphics. The site also includes a new blog that features the ideas and knowledge of the Dream Cruise leadership team.
Team Dream Cruise also wanted to feature an all-new logo that captures the spirit of an event that hosts a million people and 40,000 vintage hotrods. The team hand-picked former GM Design Director Dick Ruzzin to come up with a classic yet contemporary design that gives props to the classic car, while also providing the event an extra touch of class. Ruzzin chose the classic 1930's roadster as the new face of the Dream Cruise, and we'd say the end result is a job well done. Click on the gallery below for Ruzzin's progression from first sketch to final product, and click the link below to visit the Dream Cruise website. The actual event takes place Saturday, August 16th, and you know we'll be there.Gallery: Woodward Dream Cruise Logos
[Source: Woodward Dream Cruise]
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Filed under: Etc., Buick, Cadillac, GM, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for a ghres gallery from The All GM Car Show
On sunny 90-degree day that felt like a lot more than 90 degrees, Autoblog made the trek to a park in Van Nuys, California for The All GM Car Show. Old mingled with new, with a 1911 Buick sitting across the aisle from a Cadillac Allante, and a 1950 Oldsmobile next to a Shelby Series 1 supercar. And age didn't stop anyone from winning prizes: in fact, a 2008 Pontiac G8 GT took home one of the day's awards.
The show also featured concept cars, customizations, and some absolutely superb hood ornaments and detailing. Follow the jump to get the scoop on The All GM Car Show, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res images below.
Gallery: California All GM Car Show
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Jonathon R. Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Autoblog visits The All GM Car Show
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Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, Event Alert
We've told you about the weekly Cars and Coffee car meet in Irvine, California before. Heck, we're regular attendees whenever we are in town. Well, the Irvine C&C meet isn't the only caffeine and horsepower combo in the country. Similar gatherings have been taking place all over this great nation, some of them even adopting the C&C moniker. The latest to join the list is a new event starting in Las Vegas on June 14. What makes this one special besides the location is that somewhere along the way, someone trademarked the Cars and Coffee name. This Las Vegas event is only the second official Cars and Coffee show in existence. Just like many of the others, it will be free to entrants as well as the public. Expect a similar eclectic mix of exotics, hot rods, muscle cars, classics and sports cars to the original Irvine event. It will run from 7AM until about 10AM at the Sansone Park Place shopping center at 9500 S Eastern Ave (215 and Eastern). Go to the official Cars and Coffee Las Vegas website for more info and directions to the show. And check out a gallery from a previous show that played host to the Ford GT National Rally II.
Gallery: Ford GT National Rally II
[Source: Cars and Coffee Forum]
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Filed under: Time Warp, Misc. Auto Shows
Click image above for high-res gallery of classics and exotics from HB
Although most people don't realize it, Southern California does indeed have seasons. Sure the weather may be sunny and 70 all year-long, but there are most definitely seasons. We happen to be in the middle of concours season right now, with classic car shows popping up like, well, like poppies. The classic car fan is completely spoiled for choice out here, with shows occurring in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and in Huntington Beach just this past weekend. We already showed you some of the highlights from Los Angeles, and now we want to share a bit of HB too.
Now in its 23rd year, the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance is a much more casual event, with cars sprawled around Huntington's Central Park, in the shadow of the Central Library. It feels much more like a community festival than some of the other concours, but still has some top-notch machinery being judged for awards. Spread over two days, showgoers got to see muscle cars, woodies and hot rods on Saturday, while the motorbikes, European classics and exotics joined the featured Corvettes on Sunday. Celebrities on hand included Kar Kustomizer George Barris, Fireball Tim Lawrence and KABC car expert Dave Kunz. Not quite Pebble Beach, but a lot cheaper and just as fun for the spectators. Check out the gallery below to see everything from a Sport Pack Mini to a Lamborghini 400GT, a '50 Merc to a Fiat Abarth, and everything in between.
Gallery: 23rd Annual Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance
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Filed under: Time Warp, Misc. Auto Shows, Event Alert
If you're in the New York metropolitan area and don't have any plans this weekend, you might want to shoot up I-95 (or jump on Metro-North) to Greenwich, Connecticut, where Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom will be putting on the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. This is a spectacular event that's held over two days. Day 1 is Saturday, June 7, which will focus on American autos from every era. When Saturday wraps up, all the American metal drives off and the Europeans take over the premises for Day 2 on Sunday. As always, a supercar display will be on hand all weekend, as well as an impressive lineup of vintage motorcycles and one airplane.
Look for rides like the one-of-a-kind, Pininfarina-bodied 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine that sold for $1.76 million at Barrett-Jackson this past January, as well as other vehicles of interest, such as living legend John Fitch's original Phoenix sports car. Oh, and Bonhams is auctioning off a few things that register on the Cool-o-meter, too. Admission is $25/day or $40 for both days, with the proceeds benefitting AmeriCares. Kids under 12 get free admission, and the gates open at 10:00 AM on both days.
Make sure you factor in time to browse the public parking lot outside the Concours, too. It's like another show in and of itself. Dress comfortably -- it's supposed to be in the upper 80s and humid this weekend. No worries, because despite it being in swanky Greenwich, the Concours is totally casual and totally awesome. I'll be there snapping away with my trusty little camera for Autoblog, hoping to provide coverage similar to what we brought you last year.
So, if you're in the neighborhood, go. The cars are incredible, their owners usually have great stories to tell, and you'll have a good time. The 2008 entrant list is published in chronological order in the gallery below, and all three photo galleries from last year's event are pasted after the jump. See ya there.
Gallery: 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Entrants
Continue reading Event Alert: 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance coming this weekend
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