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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As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motor

GMC Granite Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motors, the folks in charge of GMC are trying to come up with a reason for the brand to exist. Until now, GMC's wares have been to Chevrolet trucks what Mercury has been Ford – same stuff different badges. Over the last decade the marketing boffins have tried to position GMC as "Industrial Grade," but it's never been entirely clear exactly what that means.

As a general rule, GMC doesn't produce concept vehicles, but at this year's Detroit Auto Show that's set to change. The GMC Granite is being badged as an "urban utility vehicle," a compact crossover that could slot in below the Terrain and give the brand something relatively unique. GM hasn't divulged what platform underpins the Granite, but it's likely to share many parts with GM's global compact (Delta II) architecture. That means this Granite will have a lot in common with the upcoming Chevy Orlando, but with a five-inch shorter wheelbase and a few other unique attributes you can read about after the jump.

GMC Granite Concept

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