Porsche Panamera Cabrio In The Works

Look for a price cut of more than $15,000 compared with the original 2010 Porsche Panamera S, when Porsche launches its entry-level versions of the Panamera in the U.S. in June. The 2011 Panamera and the Panamera 4, downsized with a new 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, will make their world debut in April at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.

Porsche said the base Panamera will start at $75,375, including a $975 destination charge. The Panamera 4 will start at $79,875. In comparison, the 400-hp 2010 Porsche Panamera S starts at $90,775, including shipping, and the top-of-the-line 500-hp Panamera Turbo starts at $133,575, including shipping.

Porsche said official U.S. EPA fuel economy figures on the V6 Panamera models will be announced closer to the on-sale date. However, Porsche's home office released European fuel economy numbers on Tuesday, noting that the base Panamera will return the equivalent of about 25 miles per gallon, while the Panamera 4 will return the equivalent of 24 mpg. Porsche U.S. spokesman Gary Fong told Inside Line in a phone conversation on Tuesday morning that "We just don't know [what U.S. fuel economy numbers will be]. It just doesn't translate [interpolating the New European Driving Cycle numbers]. They test in an entirely different manner than the EPA."

Porsche Panamera V6 Models Debut

Just as one team at Porsche was readying the most powerful production 911 ever—the 2011 911 Turbo S—another was creating the company’s least powerful sedan. Model year 2011 will bring two flavors of the long-foretold V-6 Panamera, a rear-wheel-drive model simply named Panamera and an all-wheel-drive version dubbed Panamera 4.

The V-6 in question is said to be an all-new Porsche design featuring direct injection, and is the same one that will be installed in the next Cayenne. It displaces 3.6 liters and produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and Porsche claims it is 66 pounds lighter than the V-8 in the Panamera S. Like all U.S.-market Panameras, the V-6 is paired exclusively with a seven-speed PDK transmission and gets an engine stop/start system.

After their formal debut at the Beijing auto show, the Panamera and Panamera 4 will join the V-8–powered Panamera S, 4S, and Turbo in U.S. showrooms this June. Prices will start at $75,375 for the Panamera and $79,875 for the Panamera 4.

Aston Martin DBS V8 Vantage DB9 or DBS

Aston Martin DBS – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration has issued a recall for select Aston Martins. If you own a V8 Vantage, DB9 or DBS produced during the 2007 and 2008 model years, you should head on in to your local dealership. A cam bolt in the front bottom suspension arm could crack, allowing the lower control arm to move about in ways it shouldn't.

As always, dealers will replace the bolt free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin on or before October 18th, 2010 and is said to potentially affect 1,090 vehicles.

GM boss Nick Reilly has confirmed that Opel and Vauxhall will introduce a new

It’s official! GM boss Nick Reilly has confirmed that Opel and Vauxhall will introduce a new, sub-Corsa-sized city car in 2013. The newcomer, which will be inspired by the 2004 Geneva Motor Show Opel Trixx concept pictured here, will be built at GM’s Eisenach plant in Germany.

Codenamed “Made in Eisenach”, the new car represents a 90 million Euro (£76.5 million) investment in the plant which currently builds the three-door Corsa. The new city car will take over the plant, while the next generation Corsa will be made in Zaragoza in Spain.

Speaking at a press event at Eisenach today, Reilly said, “This is a further milestone in the growth strategy for our business,” said Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly. “Our €90 million investment in the Eisenach plant will significantly strengthen its role within our European manufacturing network, and will offer customers a brand-new model with innovative technology and exciting design.”

The new car will debut in 2013 with conventional powerplants, although it will be engineered from the start to accept alternative powertrains, including an all-electric version.

CCI Wheel Cover - 14 in., ABS plastic, 8 spoke

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Toyota loses bid to dismiss hybrid patent infringements from Paice

Things aren't looking good for Toyota in a legal battle over whether or not the Japanese automaker has infringed on a Florida-based company's hybrid drivetrain patents. A U.S. International Trade Commission judge recently ruled to deny Toyota's request to end the lawsuit brought by Paice LLC. Toyota's initial argument was that the plaintiff's patent was invalid, but so far, the courts have sided with the smaller of the two companies time and time again. Earlier in the legal battle, a judge ruled that Toyota must pay Paice LLC a royalty for every Prius, Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h model sold. Paice originally wanted Toyota to halt sales of those vehicles entirely.

In response, Toyota has begun the process of arguing against the royalty amount per vehicle, while Paice has filed a new complaint over the technology present in the third-generation Prius, Hybrid Camry, Lexus RX450h and HS250h.

Paice's base complaint is over how the manufacturer is supplying torque from both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels on those vehicles at the same time. The company has also gone after Ford for the design of its Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrid models.

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Autocar in the UK, which is citing unknown "high-ranking Audi insiders in Ingolstadt," the future of the Audi R4, Volkswagen BlueSport and possibly an unnamed entry-level model from Porsche (we vote 914) are currently being mulled by the three-headed German automaker. The major stumbling block? Whether or not a stamped steel architecture or Audi's familiar aluminum spaceframe chassis should be used.

Naturally, we'd argue for the light weight of aluminum, which seems more appropriate for a line of sportscars... but at the price point afforded by the much less expensive steel. Decisions, decisions. In any case, the British mag continues to suggest that the R4 would presumably get two turbocharged gasoline engines (1.4-liters and 1.6-liters) along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel mill in lieu of the all-electric powertrain shown off in concept form.

Volkswagen, parent company of both Audi and Porsche, is said to get the final say in the development of all three machines, but some sort of production seems likely. Says the unnamed insider, "Scale is important to a project like this... But with three different car makers working to a common goal, the chances [of it getting the go-ahead] look good."

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept

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Sbarro' Autobau is Ready for Takeoff

Designed by Franco Sbarro, this 1970's-esque rocket is called the Autobau and it is built to honor Swiss racer Fredy Lienhard. Looking at it, it's no surprise that it seems to be dividing people in regards to its looks. What no one can deny, however, is the awesomeness of having a 500-horspower 12-cylinder to propel both you and its bad 1,500 kilo-self to what could only be the moon. Ah, Geneva...

Lamborghini Miura Nuovo Design Study: Something Old

The name Miura conjures up images of Lamborghini's original V12 bad boy, considered one of the most beautiful cars in history. Even Lamborghini couldn't ignore it forever, bringing it back in modernized concept form in 2006. Marco van Overbeeke, a designer from the Holland, is determined to bring it back.

Enter the Lamborghini Miura Nuovo, meant to be a "contemporary interpretation of [a] traditional archetype"; that means a mid-rear V12 with seating for two. Could something like this work as a new Lamborghini halo car?

If consumers had anything to say about it, the answer's probably yes. People DID dish out exorbitant amounts of dough for the Reventon, re-skinned Murcielago.

Only one problem: Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann says, "Lamborghini is about the future...So we won't do the Miura." Too bad.

Not to go against the head honcho or anything, but what about using heritage-inspired cues on a Ferrari California competitor? That may just be the ticket to a little brand variety. Seems to be working fine for Ferrari.

BMW, like they did with the pre-LCI E92

With every new model launched or redesigned, comes another photos comparison. the week revolves around the 2011 BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible LCI that was unveiled yesterday and which will go on sales this Spring.

Judging by the photos and information released, the general consensus is that BMW is looking to align some of its models to the current design language, and features like “angel eyes” are starting to become standard across the line-up. LED taillights are also becoming the norm at BMW and the new 3 Series LCI comes to emphasize that.

Exterior:

Regarding the exterior of the car – BMW, like they did with the pre-LCI E92, have managed to make the E92 continue to look much more expensive than it actually is. The facelifted E92 continues to give a strong balance between prestige and performance purely in appearance alone.

Additionally, at front and rear, while the revisions appear minimal, the proof is in the details. At the business end of the 3 Series Coupe, the head lamps have grown slightly with added contours to the bottom line of the head lamp assembly. A thin “eyebrow” can now be found running along the top of each assembly which is lit by LEDs – a design cue taken straight from the E90 LCI, F01 7 Series and F10 5 Series.

Dropping just below the head lamps, the lower bumper is the most heavily modified part of the E92 LCI, losing the struts that flowed with the cut lines of the nose of the car. In its place, BMW have added a slim cut straight across the center of the lower grill, only being broken up by the area just below the larger, wider double kidney grill. Overall, the appearance of the E92 LCI now looks more succinct with the rest of the now more modern BMW line-up.

Moving to the rear of the car, the lower portion of the bumper receives a larger, purposeful crease along the valence just above the exhaust. The L-shaped tail lamps also receive a mild facelift with a more opaque cover to the LEDs when compared to the pre-LCI E92.

Additionally, the pattern of the rear lamp LEDs has two stacked sets of LEDs to provide better visibility at night while also providing a distinctly BMW look. By comparison, the LCI E92 now looks much brighter and contoured over its predecessor.

The side design goes through some changes as well, the E92 LCI features longer overhangs and subtle changes to the side skirts, giving the facelift an overall more aggressive, masculine look.



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which, of course, has nothing at all to do with the Corvette ZR1

Peugeot SR1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

French automaker Peugeot will pull the wraps off a brand-new concept vehicle called the SR1 at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Unlike a number of recent Peugeot cars and concepts, the SR1 isn't hallmarked by quirky, love-it-or-hate-it styling. Instead, we see a somewhat traditional long-hood, short-deck profile with some interesting details, such as the creased indentation in the doors that's echoed in both the front and rear fascias. Also note the redesigned Lion logo, which we surmise will show up on all future Peugeots from here on out.

Power for the SR1 (which, of course, has nothing at all to do with the Corvette ZR1) comes courtesy of Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which pairs a small 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine powering the front wheels with a 95-horsepower electric motor at the rear. Peugeot says that its all-wheel drive, through-the-road hybrid system will make its production debut in 2011 inside the 3008 crossover, with other models to closely follow.

Other concept-appropriate bits and pieces include a new removable plastic roof panel using technology that's borrowed from the world of sailing, a three-seat layout with the third passenger behind the twin front seats and instrumentation that pairs futuristic crystal tubes displaying current fuel consumption and remaining range with a classic timepiece designed by Bell & Ross. Continuing the old versus new theme are black nickel and satin chrome trim with traditional wood and leather inlays.

With 313 combined horsepower, fuel mileage estimated at 57.7 mpg (European, 48 miles per gallon U.S.) and carbon emissions of just 119 grams per kilometer, the Peugeot SR1 ought to be a mean, green performer. Plus, its speed-sensitive four-wheel steering and lightweight structure should equal formidable handling prowess. Of course, we may never know for sure, as this car, though it apparently signals Peugeot's new styling direction, is nothing more than a concept at this point.

Peugeot SR1 Concept

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