Turbo

Early this morning at 6:30 am EST, Porsche revealed it’s stunning 918RSR during the Detroit Auto Show. The 918 Spyder—like the Carrera GT, which was developed from the LMP2000 racing concept—was a convertible. But the 918 RSR is a closed-roof racer with gullwing doors, clearly hinting at future racing programs. The RSR keeps the carbon-fiber monocoque of the Spyder, and is an altogether stunning design, with a fan on the rear deck above the engine and a huge carbon-fiber rear spoiler. The two-tone paint job—what the press release calls a “liquid metal chrome blue” and “the typical Porsche hybrid orange color”— evokes the Gulf racing livery of the 917, the unforgettable racing monster developed by Ferdinand Piëch. Piëch also was a driving force behind the 918. In the German newspaper F.A.Z., he recently said that, “With its top models, Porsche needs to reach the level of Ferrari.” As usual, it seems Piëch's minions were listening. (Indeed, the front end apes the Ferrari F430's perhaps too much.)

Although the 918 program is confirmed, the final execution is still wide open, and it will be some time before the first 918s are delivered. We wouldn't be surprised if there were actually two series-production models: the 918 Spyder and a gullwing, hardtop version called the 918 GT.

View our previous post on the 918 Concept click here

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors seems intent on banishing all memories of the unloved Aveo – so much so that it’s gone and renamed its entry-level fighter in the States. While we’re still not 100-percent in love with the name (we can’t get visions of spiky-haired hedgehogs out of our heads…), all three flavors of the Sonic do appear to be vastly improved over the machine they replace, though one of them, the Z Spec, is still in the concept stage.

More than anything else, they look vastly better both inside and out, but until we get a stint behind the wheel we’ll hold off final judgment. According to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, “The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for.” That won’t be the only time you’ll ever hear someone mention the Sonic in the same sentence as the Corvette. In fact, Chevy tells us that Corvette engineers are responsible for the ride and handling of the sub-compact.

The Sonic will be available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles and with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or a 1.4-liter turbocharged mill with 138 horsepower that’s hooked to either an automatic or manual with six forward ratios. For those keeping track, these are the same engines available in the slightly larger Cruze. You’ll also get a gauge cluster inspired by motorcycles, OnStar connectivity, 10 airbags and plenty more.

Read all the details in the exhaustive press release after the break, but not before you peruse the high-res images in the galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo

Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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scribblehead.blogspot.com. Concept spaceship art.

Keywords: digital concept vehicle truck heavy utility sport suv concept armored machine gun mounted art illustrations art design by from jesper andersen concept artist at crytek video game developer company freelance artist

Concept cars and trucks

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors seems intent on banishing all memories of the unloved Aveo – so much so that it’s gone and renamed its entry-level fighter in the States. While we’re still not 100-percent in love with the name (we can’t get visions of spiky-haired hedgehogs out of our heads…), all three flavors of the Sonic do appear to be vastly improved over the machine they replace, though one of them, the Z Spec, is still in the concept stage.

More than anything else, they look vastly better both inside and out, but until we get a stint behind the wheel we’ll hold off final judgment. According to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, “The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for.” That won’t be the only time you’ll ever hear someone mention the Sonic in the same sentence as the Corvette. In fact, Chevy tells us that Corvette engineers are responsible for the ride and handling of the sub-compact.

The Sonic will be available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles and with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or a 1.4-liter turbocharged mill with 138 horsepower that’s hooked to either an automatic or manual with six forward ratios. For those keeping track, these are the same engines available in the slightly larger Cruze. You’ll also get a gauge cluster inspired by motorcycles, OnStar connectivity, 10 airbags and plenty more.

Read all the details in the exhaustive press release after the break, but not before you peruse the high-res images in the galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo

Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoblog

scribblehead.blogspot.com. Concept spaceship art.

Keywords: digital concept vehicle truck heavy utility sport suv concept armored machine gun mounted art illustrations art design by from jesper andersen concept artist at crytek video game developer company freelance artist

Concept cars and trucks

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors seems intent on banishing all memories of the unloved Aveo – so much so that it’s gone and renamed its entry-level fighter in the States. While we’re still not 100-percent in love with the name (we can’t get visions of spiky-haired hedgehogs out of our heads…), all three flavors of the Sonic do appear to be vastly improved over the machine they replace, though one of them, the Z Spec, is still in the concept stage.

More than anything else, they look vastly better both inside and out, but until we get a stint behind the wheel we’ll hold off final judgment. According to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, “The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for.” That won’t be the only time you’ll ever hear someone mention the Sonic in the same sentence as the Corvette. In fact, Chevy tells us that Corvette engineers are responsible for the ride and handling of the sub-compact.

The Sonic will be available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles and with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or a 1.4-liter turbocharged mill with 138 horsepower that’s hooked to either an automatic or manual with six forward ratios. For those keeping track, these are the same engines available in the slightly larger Cruze. You’ll also get a gauge cluster inspired by motorcycles, OnStar connectivity, 10 airbags and plenty more.

Read all the details in the exhaustive press release after the break, but not before you peruse the high-res images in the galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo

Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoblog

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors seems intent on banishing all memories of the unloved Aveo – so much so that it’s gone and renamed its entry-level fighter in the States. While we’re still not 100-percent in love with the name (we can’t get visions of spiky-haired hedgehogs out of our heads…), all three flavors of the Sonic do appear to be vastly improved over the machine they replace, though one of them, the Z Spec, is still in the concept stage.

More than anything else, they look vastly better both inside and out, but until we get a stint behind the wheel we’ll hold off final judgment. According to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, “The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for.” That won’t be the only time you’ll ever hear someone mention the Sonic in the same sentence as the Corvette. In fact, Chevy tells us that Corvette engineers are responsible for the ride and handling of the sub-compact.

The Sonic will be available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles and with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or a 1.4-liter turbocharged mill with 138 horsepower that’s hooked to either an automatic or manual with six forward ratios. For those keeping track, these are the same engines available in the slightly larger Cruze. You’ll also get a gauge cluster inspired by motorcycles, OnStar connectivity, 10 airbags and plenty more.

Read all the details in the exhaustive press release after the break, but not before you peruse the high-res images in the galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo

Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hyundai today introduced its cutting-edge Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the North American International Auto Show. The 2012 Veloster delivers innovation to the compact coupe ?egm?nt with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, Pandora internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission.

Veloster’s unique design takes inspiration from a high-performance sport bike. Veloster has distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. In the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. Optional packages add a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights, and a massive panoramic sunroof.
Concept Carz

scribblehead.blogspot.com. Concept spaceship art.

Keywords: digital concept vehicle truck heavy utility sport suv concept armored machine gun mounted art illustrations art design by from jesper andersen concept artist at crytek video game developer company freelance artist

Concept cars and trucks

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Crossover, Mini

Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.

What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.

Power for the Paceman concept comes from Mini’s John Cooper Works-fettled 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that puts out 211 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque (207 with the overboost function). Those ponies are sent to all four wheels via Mini’s permanent ALL4 all-wheel drive system via either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Naturally, you’ll find a full high-res image gallery of live photos from the Detroit Auto Show below, and we’ve gone ahead and posted the official press release after the break for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls

Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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