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2009 Saturn Sky Redline Still Looking For Respect

Автор: DarrenFerris | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

2009 Saturn Sky Redline

Saturn is probably not the first, second or even on most people’s list of names when they think of sports cars. But for a company that really makes little attempt to cater to the motor enthusiast (only 5000 are made), the Sky Redline is a respectable junior member of the affordable roadster club along with sister model, the Pontiac Solstice and the Mazda MX-5.

2009 Sky Redline

First introduced as a high-performance version of the Sky roadster in 2007, the Red Line turns out decent performance from an Ecotec turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 260 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. These figures give this engine the notable distinction of having the best horsepower-to-displacement ratio of any GM engine and the most powerful motor in the Ecotec family. Gasoline direct injection technology helps the engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption of a small displacement port-injected engine. With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower. EPA figures for the Redline are a decent 21 and 30 for highway driving. Despite those numbers, the Redline gets to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

Ecotec Engine: Small and Powerful

To compensate for the addition of more power, the car’s chassis has been tuned for better handling and its braking system has been upgraded for quicker stopping. Other technical highlights include a torque-sensing, limited-slip differential and StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Like all Saturn Skys, the Red Line model boasts a near 50:50 weight distribution, independent front and rear suspension, an extremely stiff body, and coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks.

The Red Line also features several unique interior and exterior differences compared to the base Sky roadster including dual exhaust with chrome polished outlets, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, and a redesigned front apron with large vents and black headlamp bezels. Inside the Redline has a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, unique seatback and floormat embroidery, metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers, Red Line-specific gauges and a digital boost gauge included in the Driver Information Center.

The Friendly Confines Of The Sky Redline

The base price of the Saturn Sky Redline is $30,475, which doesn’t exactly sound cheap. It is afterall still a Saturn. But all things being equal, you have to wonder if the car simply had a different badge on the hood if 30 grand would seem quite reasonable.

2009 Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept

Автор: DarrenFerris | суббота, 26 сентября 2009 г.

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.

LA 2008: Our Orange Crush is the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Автор: DarrenFerris | пятница, 10 июля 2009 г.

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Spyker

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, which we'll call "Tiger," is officially out and about. Spyker has released more images of the Audi-engined, 400-hp, 6-speed manual Le Mans-inspired road car, and to our eyes it could be the best looking Spyker we've seen. The blacked-out mirrors do it a lot of favors and don't remind us any more of carry handles, and it has even retained 19-inch wheels secured with one lug nut and will apparently get you a combined 15 mpg on the EPA cycle. Not bad for a leathered up race car. Check out the press release after the jump and the galleries of high-res shots in our galleries below.

Gallery: LA 2008: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85