2010 Buick LaCrosse - YAWN, Ahem, ‘Scuse Us - Sneak Peek

2010 Buick LaCrosse Sneak Peak

On Monday, GM released a sneak preview of the redesigned Buick LaCrosse. The photo, which is of a relatively unexciting grill, is apparently intended to generate enthusiasm for the 2010 Buck LaCrosse’s official unveiling at the LA Auto Show in November. Besides a “fresh” new grill, one of the 2010 LaCrosse’s most anticipated features, repeated by all the major auto authorities, is its future distinction as the first car to sit on GM’s FWD Epsilon II global platform. Oh, we can hardly contain ourselves.

Rumored to be drawing heavily from the Buick Invicta concept car that debuted earlier this year at the Beijing Auto Show, the 2010 LaCrosse is supposed to be the vehicle that catapults Buick into the 21st century. No word on pricing, but a hopeful GM is banking on selling about 65,000 to 75,000 units annually, most likely indicating an attainable mid-20k to 30k price range.

Buick Invicta Concept

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2009 Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept

Peugeot 308RC Z

Unashamedly in competition against the Audi TT, both in performance and looks; French automaker Peugeot has decided to build its 308 RC Z concept coupe in Europe beginning next year. The concept appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. European media are reporting the car will be built by Austrian company Magna. 

Called the 308RC Z, the 2+2 coupe will share many of its mechanical underpinnings with the new 308 hatchbacks that begin reaching European dealerships in August.  The regular 308 model was launched with positive reviews that included the “Golden Steering Wheel” award from the German publication Bild am Sonntag. 

308RC Z

Powering the 308RC X is a high-output version of the twin-cam, direct-injection four-cylinder gas engine that was jointly developed with PSA and BMW.  Co-developed by PSA Peugeot Citroën and BMW, this is the same engine found under the hood of the Mini Cooper S. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine now makes 218 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a newly designed six-speed manual gearbox.  Peugeot says the 308RC Z will sprint from zero to 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds and will reach a top speed of 146 mph and still produces an impressive 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving.  Other engine choices, presumably including a diesel, are expected to be available on the production model.

Peugeot 308RC Z

This balance of performance and efficiency is in part due to Peugeot keeping the weight low by using among other things, aluminum and carbon fiber in the concept’s structure, polycarbonate rear glass, and LED taillamps.  The result in weight for the 308RC Z is a downright aneroxic 2645 pounds. 

Inside, the cockpit is trimmed in leather, chrome, aluminum and black-lacquered plastic. Highlights include a precision Bell & Ross clock in the center stack and leather bucket seats trimmed with polished aluminum eyelets.

Peugeot 308RC Z Interior

Roughly the size of an Audi TT, (and more than a little similar in terms of styling) Peugeot has taken the design cues of its 908RC show car, (shown at the 2006 Paris show) and transplanted them onto the dimensions of the 308.  Though the finished design of the sporty two-door appears to be nearly ready for production, it is not clear if Peugeot would build the vehicle as a fixed-roof coupe or a coupe/convertible with retractable hardtop.  Price for the 308RC Z will be roughly $35000 depending on the conversion rate, which is a non-factor since it will not be sold in the U.S.

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Chrysler steps outside the Box(y) with Hybrid Trio for 2008 NAIAS

Chrysler appears to be stepping outside of the boxy reputation and into the Environmental Revolution. For the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan Chrysler will be introducing 3 brand new hybrid concepts that are unlike anything they have shown before. Well… the Jeep resembles a prior concept, but what motivates it is completely new for the brand. There will be 3 hybrids from 3 brands from the New Chrysler that is in search of a new image. Let us see how the 3 hybrids stack up in the renderings that have been let loose so far. (more…)

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Aston Martin Rapide - Glass Roof SPY SHOTS

The long awaited four-door Aston Martin Rapide has been spotted, almost completely undisguised, doing laps of the Nurburgring. The car was last spotted on the frozen lakes of Sweden for winter testing, and somewhere in between its journey from Sweden to Germany the Rapide was given a full-length glass roof starting at the top of its windshield and going all the way to the boot. While the rear lights in the spy shots are similar to the plain red ones found on the DB9, it is uncertain whether the production version will share the same clear taillights of the original concept version from 2006’s Detroit Auto Show.

Other than this, the testing model remains faithful to the stunning concept and it looks like it’s shaping up to be one of the best looking four-doors on the planet. Porsches Panamera and the Mercedes-Benz CLS will have a tough time competing with the new Aston, which is expected to sport a 6.0L V12 in top-spec models putting out around 500hp.

Unfortunately for purists, the Rapide will not be built at Aston’s traditional Gaydon plant in England - production of the four-door has been contracted to Magna Steyr who will build the vehicle at its Austrian plant.

Production is expected to start in 2009 for the Rapide, giving it ample time to get into the market against the upcoming Porsche Panamera, although rivals like the CLS and Maserati Quattroporte already have a big head start over the new four-door Porsche and Aston.

[Source : MotorAuthority.com]

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Honda Civic HFP Concept Sits Efficiently On SEMA Show Floor [Sema]

It may not be the spiritual successor to the CRX HF, but the Honda Civic HFP Concept is the result of Honda Access America — the in-house accessory division — taking a Civic Si and adding lightness. Both exhaust and wheels have been replaced with high-performance ultra-lightweight versions, while an aero body kit streamlines the cD for a slipperier shape. So how much more efficient is the HFP? Well...they don't quite say, but we'd venture a guess that Honda's working in one or two MPG increments here. Press release below the jump.

Honda also revealed a Civic Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept sedan that represents a new approach on performance improvement. With more consumer concern about fuel prices, future customers may want to maximize the performance of their vehicles without compromising fuel economy. Honda Access America, Honda's accessory development company, took on that challenge. Through aerodynamic improvements to the next generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in a spec series called the Super Taikyu Series.

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Volvo XC60 Concept Gets Early Reveal

We’re not sure if leaks on the web yesterday led to an early official release of the Volvo XC60 by the Swedish automaker, but we can tell you this is the big concept Volvo will show in the flesh at the Detroit auto show next month. This luxury compact SUV is based on the new Land Rover LR2 and would slate below the XC90 in the brand’s lineup.

It’s pretty wild, but expect the production model to look a lot like it when it hits the streets in early 2009. The only part we don’t quite “get” is the sit-up-straight grille treatment stuck in the middle of a slightly sloping front end. See how the headlights and grill don’t feature the same slant? That’s a pretty jarring look.

Volvo has been trying to break out of its boring design language for years, and by borrowing from the Ford Iosis X concept that debuted in Paris earlier this year, the company could finally be getting out of its rut. More pictures below.

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Spy Shots: Lexus LF-A

Ace spy photographer Hans Lehmann has captured an undisguised Lexus LF-A prototype lapping the Nürburgring. Lehmann speculates that published images of the upcoming NSX replacement mule have prompted Lexus to let its star be seen too, so as not to fade from enthusiasts’ memories.

For the first time without disguise, the V10 powered Lexus LF-A prototype driving is its rounds at the Nürburgring.

It’s closer to the concept as might have been expected, with some minor changes naturally. The official debut will probably be at the Car Show in Frankfurt during September. In the meantime the guys at Lexus will continue testing and fine tuning suspension and handling. Yes I think we are all quite jealous by now of those testers.

The Japanese super-car war has officially started with the LF-A, next one to fire the guns will be the new NSX.

Buckle up that 3 point harness, its going to be an amazing and surprising show!

[Source: WorldCarFans.com, AutoBlog.com]

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Other News About Nissan FORUM Concept

Nissan will unveil the Forum concept next month in Detroit. This minivan is set to replace the Quest. Some of the features of the Forum are the rotating Turntable Seating(second row), trackless doors and b-pillarless construction. These are meant to emphase the concept’s interior. Other “goods” are the wireless TV monitors, audio muting/intercom setup named Time Out and the around-view parking assistance system. Nissan prepairs a diesel engine for this concept. Previously we presented you a sketch of the interior, so we are pleased to show you the final version of it, also you can see a picture of its exterior. Until now, we are happy to see Detroit Auto Show looking so promising.

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McLaren Mercedes P11 Will Be Ready by 2010

McLaren Mercedes is preparing to launch a new supercar: the P11. An English firm, Woking is the one who announced the production of P11. So far, this project is only in the drawing-phase and already the factory has received orders for the car.

If its forerunners, the F1, challenged the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959, the SLR, challenged Ferrari Enzo and Carrera GT, the P11 is set to take on the Ferrari 430 and 911 GT2. This car is expected to feature the power of AMG’s 6.3 liter V8 and to unleash 500 hp which will run from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds and will reach over 200 mph. The body will be compound from aluminum and carbon-fiber, and the brakes from carbon and ceramic.

The super car will be released in 2010 and the annual production will be somewhere around 5,000 products.

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Toyota 2000 SR Concept by Sure Design

Sure Design has unveiled a Toyota 2000 SR Concept, inspired by the legendary Toyota 2000 GT, but it’s nothing official, just a good-looking concept. It combines the great style of 2000 GT with modern and futuristic lines, being powered by a 3.5-liter, turbo V6 front-mounted engine.

It’s powerful engine delivers a whopping 610hp to it’s rear wheels, but it also sports a secondary electric motor, that powers it’s front wheels with less autonomy, for urban driving. Sure Design might give Toyota some ideas and maybe they are going to revive the legend, not necessarily by putting their concept into producing, but maybe designing another one on their own.

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