Car Zone: Convertible

Showing posts with label Convertible. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Porsche Could Offer Boxster Spyder GT4

When Stuttgart unveiled the new Cayman GT4, performance enthusiasts everywhere went bananas. The two-door sports car embraces a focused approach to driving purity, with a variety of components pulled from the 911 GT3 that make for a vehicle that's highly capable both on back roads and the race track. Demand for the GT4 is much higher than Porsche expected, so the German automaker is rumored to be considering a GT4 version of the new Boxster Spyder.

"We are looking at it right now," said an anonymous senior source at Porsche, as reported by the UK-based publication AutoCar. "Much of the engineering has already been done for the Cayman, so we think this might be a good direction for us."

A new top-range Boxster may crowd Porsche's catalog slightly, especially considering the minor price disparity between the Spyder and Cayman GT4. However, a roofless GT4 may entice buyers looking for higher speeds combined with unlimited headroom.

The same 3.8-liter flat-six engine shoehorned into the Cayman GT4 can currently be found in the Boxster Spyder. Upgraded equipment for a Boxster GT4 would probably include adjustable suspension components and brakes pilfered from the GT3 parts bin. The aerodynamics package would also most likely get an aggressive refresh.

Continue reading to learn more about the future possible Porsche Boxster Spyder GT4.

Porsche Could Offer Boxster Spyder GT4 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 13 April 2015 19:00 EST.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Wave Concept

Amidst rumors that it may axe the Beetle as part of its plan to reduce manufacturing costs, Volkswagen brought a quartet of concept cars to the 2015 New York Auto Show, one of which was the Convertible Wave. Described as a vehicle "designed to enjoy the summer, whether in the Hamptons or in Santa Monica," the Wave Concept is as production ready as they get, sporting special color, a couple of bespoke exterior features and an interior inspired by surfing.

The Germans didn't say whether the Beetle Wave will become a production car or remain just a study, but they did point out that "vehicles like the Beetle Dune that was shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2014 demonstrate how Volkswagen can create production models from such concepts very rapidly." Could the Wave Concept spawn a limited-edition Beetle? Guess we'll just have to wait to find out.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Wave Concept.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Wave Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 April 2015 12:00 EST.

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster

Lamborghini launched the SuperVeloce specification all the way back in the 1960s, first appearing on the Miura, the nameplate that basically introduced the world to the mid-engine supercar. Dropped when the Miura was discontinued, the SV name returned nearly 30 years later when Lambo showcased the Diablo SV at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show. Since then, every range-topping Lambo has gotten an SV version. There was a Murcielago SV, and the Aventador SuperVeloce was presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

But while the SV badge has graced four different supercars as of 2015, not all of then have been offered as roadsters. The Miura was built as a coupe only (except for a one-off roadster), while the only drop-top version of the Diablo was based on the less powerful VT. The Murcielago was the first SV to lose its roof and it seems the Aventador is ready to follow suit, as a supercar sporting the body kit of the recently unveiled SV was spotted stretching its wheels with a removable top.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster.

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 6 March 2015 17:00 EST.

Porsche BTR-II 600 EVO Ultra Edition by SpeedART

Posted on 08.5.2013 13:00 by
Simona

Do you remember the 997 Turbo BTR-II 650 EVO SpeedArt unveiled back n 2010? Today the same tuner turned its attention to the BTR-II package one more time and came up with a new version. This time around, the kit is called BTR-II 600 EVO Ultra Edition and unfortunately, it is a little bit less powerful than the first edition, but one benefit it that the tuner applied the kit to a convertible model.

This tuning kit pushes the Porsche's engine to 600 horsepower - 50 horsepower less than the BTR-II 650 EVO model. To achieve this output level, the tuner installed its Powerkit III system, a sports exhaust system with a sound switch, 200-cell sports catalytic converter and 84 mm tailpipes. Peak torque was also increased to 590 pound-feet. This represents a significant increase over the base 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque delivered by the 997 Turbo.

Next to the extra power, the BTR-II 600 EVO Ultra Edition received an adjustable sport suspension with PASM and air lift for more ground clearance and a meaner appearance.

Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche BTR-II 600 EVO Ultra Edition by SpeedART.

Porsche BTR-II 600 EVO Ultra Edition by SpeedART originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 5 August 2013 13:00 EST.

Ford to Auction the Last 2014 Shelby GT500 Convertible at Hot August Nights

Posted on 08.5.2013 17:00 by
Simona

Ford announced today that the last retail 2014 Shelby GT500 Convertible will be auctioned on August 9, 2013 at the Hot August Nights Auction presented by Barrett-Jackson. All the proceeds will go to the Brain Injury Association of America.

The winner of the auction will have the possibility to customize the GT500 Convertible according to his or her personal desire. Ford offers the opportunity to choose between any imaginable interior, exterior and striping package that will offer a buyer to create a one-off GT500. The car will also be signed by Indy 500 winner, Parnelli Jones, who will attend the auction as well.

At the auction, Ford will also offer both Ride-and-Drive and hot lap experiences in the parking lot of the Atlantis Casino Resort. Visitors will have the chance to experience models like Shelby GT500, 2014 Focus ST and 2014 Fiesta ST.

Click past the jump to read more about the Shelby GT500 Convertible.

Ford to Auction the Last 2014 Shelby GT500 Convertible at Hot August Nights originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 5 August 2013 17:00 EST.

New Mazda MX-5 Rendered By Employee; Would You Like It To Look Like This?

Well, it seems that the internet has been lit on fire by a set of renderings that have been posted to the Miata.net forums. While the rendering is rather attractive, what has set this apart from any other is the belief that it comes directly from a Mazda USA product engineer.

Now the rendering was posted by someone with the name "SethOfDeath" but the photo has a watermark that says Seth Elson. Jalopnik grabbed word of this and did some digging. According to a LinkedIn account, there is a Seth Elson who lives in Orange County California that is an engineer at Mazda North America. Jalops also found a twitter account named SethOfDeath that is based in Orange County and has a few references to Mazda as well. It hasn't been confirmed that this is really from a Mazda employee, but all signs are pointing in that direction.

Jalopnik reached out to Mazda about these renders but only received, "another nice rendering. You fanatics."

Judging by the renders here and the photos and spy shots we have so far, this rendering does look very close to the right proportions and shape. My only concern is the that front end seems a bit to sculpted to match the spy car.

Whatever the case, we will know what the new ND Miata looks like in just a few hours when it is revealed live.

Click past the jump to read more about the future Mazda MX-5.

New Mazda MX-5 Rendered By Employee; Would You Like It To Look Like This? originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 3 September 2014 12:00 EST.

BMW Z4 Successor Will Get Six-Cylinder Engine, Not Hybrid

Imagine this, you're driving down a twisty, winding road, in a convertible BMW with the top down, wind in your hair and in your ears, and the sound of...nothing because you're driving a hybrid. Sounds pretty awful, right? Well don't worry because BMW isn't making a hybrid convertible, at least until the i8 goes topless. BMW has officially stated that six, inline cylinders will drive the upcoming Z4 replacement. This is good news. The Bavarians have always made wonderful I-6 engines; with smooth, buttery powerbands and lovely, growling exhaust notes.

The engine in question, code named B58, will be a 3.0-liter, turbocharged I-6 that will put out around 335 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. Combine that with an estimated curb weight of around 3,084 pounds, and you've got one hell of a convertible sports car. Rumor also has it that this car will be developed together with Toyota and its upcoming Supra replacement. Based on the success of the Toyobaru twins and all of the success BMW's had developing sports cars, I cannot see this car being anything other than fantastic.

This is a whole new line of engines from BMW. It's in the same "Efficient Dynamics" engine family that its newly released, 1.5-liter, three-cylinder and 2.0-liter. four-cylinder engines are from. This engine is also rumored to debut in the upcoming 7 Series replacement, and should trickle down into the 3 Series and 5 Series cars shortly after. It's also good to see Bimmer sticking with six-cylinder engines. Many automakers have been ditching sixes for turbo-fed fours, and while the turbo fours pack quite a punch, they lack in emotion and excitement compared to sixes. So while the Z4 might eventually get the familiar 2.0-liter turbo four as well, it's refreshing to see BMW also offer an I-6.

Click past the jump to read more about the BMW Z4 successor.

BMW Z4 Successor Will Get Six-Cylinder Engine, Not Hybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 August 2014 09:00 EST.

Video: BAC Mono vs BAC Mono at Spa-Francorchamps

Posted on 07.27.2013 12:00 by
Simona

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most challenging motor-racing circuits you will find in the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. It measures 4.352 miles and features 20 turns. The current record at the track is held by Sebastian Vettel who lapped it back in 2009 in 1:47.263.

This challenging circuit was the perfect place for the BAC Mono to prove what it is capable of. This test comes just a few days after the Mono managed to smash Top Gear's test track record with a time of 1:14.3, thereby bettering the times of all but the 720-horsepower Pagani Huayra.

The two BAC Monos running at Spa were driven by Ron Simons, who was almost unbeatable in wet conditions at Spa for years and TV personality Sabine Schmitz.

Check out the video to see which of the two managed to handle Mono the best.

Video: BAC Mono vs BAC Mono at Spa-Francorchamps originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 27 July 2013 12:00 EST.

Chrysler 200 Convertible

Posted on 07.27.2013 23:00 by
Kirby Garlitos

Times have changed in America, that much we can tell you.

Remember the day when mid-sized convertibles were as trendy as the mullet hairstyle? Those days are long gone, which is why it's a little surprising that automakers are still producing these vehicles.

Consumers still love convertibles, but these days, it has to be of the sporty variety. The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible is not a sports car, but it does come with the capability of being a convertible. So you can say that the vehicle offers the best of both worlds, right? The sporty performance of a coupe and the open-air freedom of a convertible all wrapped in a midsized vehicle's body.

To be fair, there are a number of positive attributes with the 200 Convertible. It's been completely refreshed to make Chrysler forget about the forsaken Sebring. It also has an impressive powertrain configuration that does justice to its looks.

So there's still hope for the 200 Convertible. But hope is fleeting, especially in the auto industry and ultimately, the midsized convertible is a dying breed.

Chrysler may have something with the 200 Convertible but for the most part, it's going to take a lot of convincing to get people interested in this kind of car these days.

Click past the jump to read about the 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Chrysler 200 Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 27 July 2013 23:00 EST.

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition

The unveiling of the Mercedes SL-Class two years ago also gave way to the arrival of the model's two performance-oriented models: the SL63 AMG and the SL65 AMG. The SL63 AMG model is regarded as an incredible machine, but it probably won't hurt if you give it the 2Look Edition upgrade that a lot of other Mercedes models have received, including the SL-Class.

The dynamic characteristic of the SL63 AMG 2Look Edition is clearly evident in the way the new components all come together to create a far more aggressive look for the SL63 AMG. Be it the new exterior digs, or the interior refinements, the SL63 AMG 2Look Edition comes with a comprehensive list that will turn an already powerful sports car into the envy of everybody. It is called "2Look" for a reason, right?

The 2Look package for the SL63 AMG will set you back 9,401 - about $13,000 based on current exchange rates. Add that to the 134.950 ($186,703) price for SL63 AMG and you're looking at a total price of 144,351 ($199,709). This package is also available on the SL65 AMG model for 5,355 - about $7,400. Unfortunately, the 2Look Edition is currently only available in Mercedes' home country of Germany.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition.

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG 2Look Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 25 April 2014 08:00 EST.

First Three Bugatti Legends Models are Sold Out

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When Bugatti announced that it was building a set of special-edition models, it was only a matter of time before demand for those limited-edition exotics would find their respective owners.

Well, Bugatti has launched three of its "Les L gendes de Bugatti" editions and all nine models of these three models have been sold out. The three models that have been released so far paid homage to three Bugatti pioneers, including Jean-Pierre Wimille, Jean Bugatti, and Meo Constantini. Each of these models carried unique design traits about themselves that were tied up to the Bugatti legends that adorned their name so it wasn't surprising that demand for these Legends editions were high.

"The Legends edition is a great success for Bugatti," Bugatti president Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber said. "The response from our customers is amazing. These are automotive works of art, which each tell a part of Bugatti's history."

But while Bugatti is reveling at the success of its Legends series, customers who missed out on the first three models shouldn't despair. Three more models are expected to be unveiled to close out the series with the fourth one expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Like its predecessors, the fourth model, is reportedly going to be named the Veyron Grand Vitesse "Elisabeth Janek, one of the first and most successful women to race in a Bugatti.

It'll be interesting what kind of treatment the Veyron Grand Vitesse "Elisabeth Janek" is going to receive. Judging by the first three models of the Legends Series, we won't be shocked if it follows in the same vein with a unique styling that's all its own.

Click past the jump to read more about the Bugatti Legend models.

First Three Bugatti Legends Models are Sold Out originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 28 February 2014 10:00 EST.

Video: Over 5,000 Horsepower Worth of Porsche 918 Spyders Invade Monaco

Posted on 07.18.2013 18:00 by
Simona

Having the chance to see a Porsche 918 Spyder on the road is pretty rare, but YouTube user Marchettino had the opportunity to catch not one, but six of these beasts on the streets of Monaco (AKA the supercar capital). While cruising around Monaco, he stumbled upon a convoy of three 918 Spyder, then when they stopped at the gas station, three more were right behind them. You can only imagine what the six V-8 engines pounding out a combined 5,250 horsepower must have sounded like.

As a reminder, the 918 Spyder combines a 4.6-liter V-8 engine with two electric motors for a total output of 875 horsepower. The supercar can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 211 mph.

The model is limited to 918 units and will carry a price tag ranging from 781,155 (about $1million) to 853,155 ($1.1 million) when you also opt for the Weissach package.

Video: Over 5,000 Horsepower Worth of Porsche 918 Spyders Invade Monaco originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 July 2013 18:00 EST.

Jaguar XK Signature Edition

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Jaguar's got a pair of special edition XK models it's planning to release in the UK, making us here in America green with envy.

As the more luxury oriented XK model, the Signature Edition has some pretty cool luxury amenities, even if it seems to have been short-changed in the engine department.

Then again, customers probably won't mind because of the luxurious interior upgrade Jaguar gave to the model. Seems appropriate that an XK comes with standard soft-grain leather luxury seats that are available in a choice of either Ivory or Charcoal finishes. If that isn't enough, the cabin also features a pretty smooth canvas Suedecloth headliner, Figured Ebony veneers and Bright Metal sport pedals. As far as the wheels go, the XK Signature gets the treat of having the fancier set of wheels, which in this case are 20-inch Kalimnos wheels.

Unfortunately for the XK Signature, Jaguar opted to give the model the base 5.0-liter, V-8 engine that "only" produces 385 horsepower, which is good enough to allow the sports coupe to break 60 mph in 5.2 seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph. Like the XK Dynamic R, the XK Signature's engine is mated to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Another shared system between the two models is the Dynamic Stability Control system, which can be configured in four different modes - Normal, Winter, TracDSC and DSC Off - giving the driver suitable choices on how much computer help he's going to need while driving on the road.

Like the XK Dynamic R, customers can choose from a variety of colors for the XK Signature, including Polaris White, Ultimate Black, Stratus Grey, Italian Racing Red, Dark Sapphire and British Racing Green.

Click past the jump to read about the tech specs of the Jaguar XK Signature Edition

Jaguar XK Signature Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 22 January 2014 14:00 EST.

BMW i8 Spyder

Posted on 12.27.2013 13:00 by Tushar

When BMW first unveiled the new i-brand cars, the world did not expect the concepts to become reality in such a short time. When a conceptual design study is undertaken, most of the time the designers are let lose on to a clean sheet of paper and come up with the best possible show car for the occasion. In recent times, BMW has shown us some production ready concepts, but the i8 always seemed way ahead of its time.

In 2012, BMW unveiled the i8 Spyder Concept. Based on the coupe, the i8 Spyder has been confirmed for production in 2015. We could expect the electric sports car to be available in showrooms in the latter part of 2015. The open-top version wouls use the same composite materials and architecture unique to BMW's i-range of cars which also includes thei3 hatchback.

Although, its too early to comment on the pricing of the upcoming BMW i8 Spyder, we expect it to cost slightly more than the coupe. Performance shouldn't affected despite the roof being chopped off.

Click past the jump to read in detail about the 2015 BMW i8 Spyder

BMW i8 Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 December 2013 13:00 EST.

Rare Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider To Hit The Auction Block

Posted on 12.27.2013 14:00 by Tushar

Ever wondered, why the Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider has "California" in its name? Here's why. A Ferrari dealer based out of the U.S. requested the company to make a car named after their biggest market and hence the name. The sunshine state of California has been the home of Hollywood for ages and money was never short.

Even today, the sheer number millionaires in the state is mind-boggling. That said, with the advent of the age of information and technology, a new generation of billionaires have emerged. Anyway, back to the California Spider. The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider LWB will hit the auction block soon.

Experts suggest, the car could be valued over $8 million! One reason for such a high price is the fact that back in the days, Ferrari only built 50 examples of the California Spider. Now, the Ferrari 250 GT was a thoroughbred racer on which the California was based. The "LWB" stands for "Long Wheelbase". The market for old and rare Ferraris is huge. Only this year, RM Auctions sold an equally rare Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider for 25 million dollars!

And that's not all, an even exclusive Ferrari 250 GTO fetched no less than $50 million. A short wheelbase version of the 250 GT California Spider also found a buyer recently. He apparently shelled out $11 million for the 250 GT California Spider SWB. The LWB California that is to be auctioned by RM Auction in Arizona is the 11th chassis (out of 50) produced by Ferrari and worked upon by the legendary metal worker Scaglietti.

Click past the jump to read more about the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider LWB

gallery: Rare Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider To Hit (...)

Rare Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider To Hit The Auction Block originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 December 2013 14:00 EST.

Next-Gen Mustang Has Three Potential Debut Locations

Posted on 09.18.2013 16:00 by Justin Cupler

Okay, if you are a car nut, still have a pulse and are not excited or worried about the next-generation Mustang, then you may want to recheck your label as a car nut... I am not a big Ford fan and even I am on edge the edge of my seat about it.

This is a bang-or-bust redesign for Ford's resident muscle car, as it has the potential to be either the Mustang II debacle all over again or the Fox Body `Stang that swooped in to save the model's life. There is an ongoing debate on when and where the new Mustang will debut, and all of them are somehow centered around the model's 50th anniversary.

We have whittled the possible debut locations down two the three most likely ones, and our reasoning for picking these three.

Click past the jump to find out the three possible locations and why we picked them

Next-Gen Mustang Has Three Potential Debut Locations originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 18 September 2013 16:00 EST.

BMW MH3 V8 R Biturbo Cabriolet by Manhart Racing

Yesterday, Manhart unveiled the M5 MH5 S Biturbo and now the tuner is moving its attention to the BMW M3 convertible. This new tuning package was inspired by the MH3 V8 RS Clubsport package and takes the output in the M3 Convertible up to a nearly excessive 655 horses!

In order to obtain this amazing increase, Manhart replaced the car's standard 4.0-liter V-8 with a larger 4.4-liter V-8 twin-turbo engine borrowed from the X6 M. After some software upgrades and the addition of a new Akrapovic Evolution Titanium exhaust system, the output spiked to 655 ponies and the torque shot up to 719 pound-feet. As a result, the MH3 V8 R Biturbo can hit a ridiculous top speed of 198 mph.

In order to handle the extra 235 horses on tap, Manhart fitted the M3 with am MHR braking system that features four-piston calipers and 396 mm (15.6-inch) brake discs on the front axle and 374 mm (14.7-inch) brake discs on the rear axle. Also strapped to this incredible M3 is a set of 20-inch MHR Concave One Ultra-light forged wheels wrapped tightly in high-performance tires sized 255/30ZR20 up front and 305/25ZR20 at the back.

On the exterior, the changes were minimal and include a carbon-fiber hood with GTR air intakes, mirror caps and diffuser. Just the way we like it, just a little show but plenty of go!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible by Guy Fieri

TV personality Guy Fieri first burst into mainstream consciousness when he won "The Next Food Network Star" reality show back in 2006. Since then, Fieri has become a successful restaurateur, author, television personality, and game show host.

Lost in all that though is the fact that Fieri is also a bonafide car nut with an affinity for Chevrolet convertibles. Well, the spiky-haired Fieri was put to the task by the fine folks at Chevy to design his very own Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which will be on hand at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show.

True to his flamboyant personality, Fieri’s influence can be easily seen on the limited edition Corvette sports car. The body color is dominantly black with custom yellow stripes, a reversal play on the company’s trademark yellow-and-black color scheme. In addition, the Fieri-designed 427 Corvette received embroidered seat headrests, as well as fender badges, which both prominently display the man’s personal charity, the Guy Fieri Foundation.

Adding the final touches to the limited run sports car are a new set of 19" black Cup wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires.

The 427 Corvette also boasts of power never before seen in a convertible in the Corvette’s history. It carries a 7.0-liter LS7 engine from the Z06 that produces 505 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque, making it the most powerful engine ever put into a production Corvette convertible.

From a man who knows a thing or two about grabbing attention, Guy Fieri’s 427 Corvette Convertible will likely do the same when it debuts at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has only been in production for a couple of years, and it has already been superseded by what is, in essence, its successor: the SLS AMG GT. The Mercedes SLS AMG GT was officially launched just hours ago, officially killing off the SLS AMG. The brand new SLS AMG GT has replaced all standard SLS models, despite the changes only being minor.

If we haven't already made it clear, then here it is again: the SLS AMG is officially dead, and the car now wears a new name plate as the 'GT,' rather than the GT being a special variant of the standard car. We're not sure why Mercedes decided to replace the standard car with the new GT, but it's clear that the German brand wanted to update the SLS and perhaps decided to slightly modify the name to help differentiate the new car from the old one.

Let's jump straight into the details, shall we? Well, to begin with the new SLS AMG GT features the same 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine as the former SLS AMG, however, it's been uprated. With an additional 20 horsepower, this brings the final figure up to 583HP thus giving it more than the Ferrari 458 Italia, one of the car's biggest competitors.

Despite this small horsepower increase, torque has remained the same at 479 lb-ft, as has the stunning seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. After all, why mess with a good thing, such as the gearbox? Further technical changes have been implemented for the GT, including a reworked suspension which is said to be more aggressive and stiffer than all previous models.

In turn the new car can shoot to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, down from 3.7 in the last 2012 SLS AMG model, although that small drop is so insignificant it's almost not worth mentioning.

Minor upgrades have also been performed on the interior with the addition of the new Designo styling package being the largest change, while the vast list of optional extras from the SLS AMG can also be optioned on the new GT.

The Mercedes SLS AMG GT may not roll off the tongue as nicely as just SLS AMG, but it's something we'll have to get used to.

UPDATE 10/17/2012: Mercedes has unveiled the European prices for the SLS AMG GT, as well as a new set of images. In Germany, the model will be priced at 204,680 euro (about $268,000 at the current exchange rates) for the coupe version and at 213,010 euro ($279,000 at the current rates) for the roadster. Check out the picture gallery to see the new pictures.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 17:00 EST.

Lancia Flavia Red Carpet Special Edition

Lancia may not get all the love compared to other manufacturers of its ilk, but when they rolled out a special edition Flavia at the Venice Film Festival, we have to give it the recognition it deserves.

Called the Flavia Red Carpet Special Edition, the unique build was the result of a collaboration between Lancia and Poltrona Frau.

There’s not much in the way of exterior modifications for the Flavia Red Carpet, but inside, the posh red leather interior has the unmistakable quality and distinct stamp of the Italian interior, furniture design and leather upholstery company.

Suffice to say, the partnership between the two companies go back a long way, back to the 20’s when their respective founders, Vincenzo Lancia and Renzo Frau, began a partnership that has lasted for almost 100 years. Back then, Lancia turned to Frau to dress up the interior of the legendary Thema 8.32 and since then, the two companies have become brothers-in-arms in the auto industry.

Under the hood of the Flavia Red Carpet is a 2.4-liter engine that produces 170 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. There aren’t any performance modifications, but when it comes to being the star of the show, the Flavia Red Carpet Special Edition sits high and mighty at the Venice Film Festival.

Lancia Flavia Red Carpet Special Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 3 September 2012 16:00 EST.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

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gallery: Rare Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider To Hit (...)

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Monday, October 22, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012