Maserati Gran Tourismo

New rumors state that Maserati is working in creating a hard-top convertible. We do know that they are in the middle of developing a convertible version of the larger Grantors - but these new reports suggest that the car - that was caught on tape - is smaller then what was previously thought.

The new model is supposedly going to be available only in the hard-top convertible form. If this is true then it’s safe to say it will come with a fast-action retractable roof that is lighter than the usual soft-top mechanism.

The new small Maserati is expected to have a 2+2 cabin layout, although the rear seats are anticipated to be removable. Power is tipped to come from a smaller version of the 4.2-liter V8 in the base GranTurismo, producing about 350hp and driving the rear wheels through a revised version of the DuoSelect clutchless manual transmission still used in the GranTurismo S instead of the newer ZF six-speed auto in the rest of the Maserati range.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 was seen testing on what looks to be very curvy mountainous roads. No doubt it was showing off the brand new “evolutionary” design that the automaker has been working hard on.

Porsche has made a few adjustments on the front air dam and also to the rear lights. However, when it comes to the style designs there seems to be nothing new. Of course like with every supercar it is all about what is under the hood. What makes the beast roar!

While nothing is official yet we are expecting to see a direct fuel injection that is mated to the current GT3 model’s 3.6 liter flat-six or even a 3.8 liter flat-six that has been tuned and comes from the new 911. This could raise the horsepower close to 440.

Either engine could possibly be coupled to a seven-speed DSG gearbox, marking an evolutionary step in the right direction. We are hoping that the brand new GT3 will be officially revealed during the Frankfurt Auto Show or the Geneva Motor Show.

Gumpert Apollo

The Gumpert Apollo is an amazing supercar and we aren’t the only ones that feel this way. Top Gear named them one of the fastest supercar to lap their test track.

Well now Streetfire.net has informed us that the Gumpert Apollo will be making its way across the ocean and into the freedom of the U.S. The even better news about this is that it will not just be another Euro-plated import.

The automaker announced this week that they have partnered up with Evolution MotorSports - an Arizona-based tuning company. Together they will handle the U.S. market final assembly of a total of ten cars per year. They will also be handling the performance validation of the car.

They’ll then be shipped off to the exclusive US dealer, European Touch in sunny Los Angeles. Below is a press release announcing the news.

“Gumpert Partners with Evolution MotorSports for US Market!”

Tempe, AZ - Today Gumpert Sportswagenmanufaktur GmbH and Evolution MotorSports announced Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports in Tempe Arizona as their US market final assembly and Performance Validation center for the Gumpert Apollo.

Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports due to their understanding the balance between consumers expectation for a car that is competent for the racetrack and the ability to hold the exceptionally high standards that Gumpert will demand for the chassis delivered to the US market. Gumpert feels it is imperative for all US cars to be Performance Validated and comprehensibly checked, all before being delivered to the exclusive United State Dealer, European Touch in Huntington Beach California.

The Gumpert Apollo is a hand made coupe, available in a Street, GT or Race Car Configuration. The Apollo was recently featured on an episode of the UK Automotive show Top Gear where it was celebrated as the fastest around their test track over the last several seasons.

Gumpert representatives have stated that “The selection of Evolution MotorSports was an easy choice. Evolution MotorSports dedication to providing an excellent finished product, attention to detail and customer service have no rival that could come close to providing the finished product required.”

Todd Zuccone, Founder of Evolution MotorSports commented, “All we do are Insanely Tuned Luxury Exotics. We examined the Gumpert Apollo and I knew that EVOMS was the correct choice for Performance Validation. Something Evolution MotorSports customers have known for a long time. We are honored to have been selected by the Gumpert team.”

2009 Chrysler PT

We were told a few months ago that Bizzarrini would be bringing back the P538 brand name with a new supercar that will take our breath away. The rendering were released during that time - but nothing more.

Now they have fulfilled a few wishes and given us a photo of the construction of the new supercar. It is being based on the monocoque chassis of the Arbitrage GT and will use carbon fiber bodywork and a Chevy LS7 V8 engine. This engine is offered in a turbocharged and naturally aspirated form courtesy of Lingfelter Performance Engineering.

The new Bizzarrini we talked about earlier takes advantage of Thailand’s venerable exchange rate to offer the P538. It’s the product of a partnership between Arbitrage and Giotto Bizzarrini who has been resurrecting his brand every few years.

The company plans to have no less then four cars completed by the end of the year, at least one of which is slated to undergo testing at Nardo in November.

2009 Chrysler PT

Chrysler revealed its latest special edition vehicle ahead of this Saturday’s Woodward Dream Cruise this morning at Duggan’s Irish Pub on Woodward Avenue — the 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5. As the name suggests, it’s the 5th version of the PT Cruiser to be revealed at the Woodward Dream Cruise. And, like the others, this one offers up all the same PT Cruiser features and options 1.3 million people have found when snapping one up, all while wearing a very serious billet grille. The rest of the car’s got a two-tone paint job to go along with the substantial bug-smasher (seriously, it’s thicker than any aluminum grille we’ve ever seen), with tone #1 being the brightest white ever available on a PT and tone #2 giving it a sort of mutated Mini Cooper look. Additionally, the PT Cruiser 5 gets Neon SRT-4 wheels with a new finish, fancy synthetic material on the seats and… er… a Dream Cruiser badge. Press release and more pics below. We’re going to go toss back a breakfast whiskey at Duggan’s just to calm ourselves after all of this excitement.

Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise with Introduction of New 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5
-New limited-edition 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser buzz model kicks off the14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise
-14th factory-customized limited-edition Chrysler PT Cruiser features modern and athletic exterior enhancements
-New PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 delivers factory customization at a value price of $22,700
-1,750 PT Dream Cruisers Series 5 models will be produced for the U.S.
-More than 1.3 million PT Cruisers sold since initial 2001 model year

Royal Oak, Mich., Aug 12, 2008 - Chrysler kicked off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today at Duggan’s Irish Pub with the introduction of a special-edition PT Cruiser. Announced in conjunction with Detroit’s famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the new 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be available this fall as a limited-production version of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
“Chrysler PT Dream Cruisers are about individuality and uniqueness, and for 2009 we modernized our next factory-customized edition,” said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Car and Minivan Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “The new 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 embodies a contemporary theme with a distinctive two-tone exterior and the use of unique exterior and interior materials.”
As the 14th factory-customized Chrysler PT Cruiser, the new 2009 PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 features new detailed design elements. A contrasting two-tone theme with a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl painted roof and hoop spoiler distinguish this PT Cruiser. All-new cross-hatched, upper and lower solid billet aluminum grilles are individually milled and machined for a true sense of customization. New 17-inch SRT Design wheels provide an athletic stance while filling up Chrysler PT Cruiser’s uniquely styled large fenders. Chromed body-side trim moldings provide subtle highlights, and the new boldly designed “PT” front-passenger and driver’s-side door badges hammer home PT’s individuality, reliability and street cruising credibility.
“Our Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 utilizes Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl to accentuate body lines while enhancing side rails and windows, giving PT Cruiser a sleek appearance with a visually lower roof,” said Joe Dehner, Vice President - Small, Family and Premium Vehicle Design. “With the addition of 17-inch SRT Design wheels, bold billet grilles inspired from the DUB Edition Chrysler 300, chrome accents draped all over our Midnight White Pearl Coat paint - the latest Dream Cruiser delivers a new style that accentuates PT Cruiser’s individuality.”
The contrasting Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl paint theme continues inside the vehicle’s Pastel Slate Gray interior and surrounds the chromed ring air vents and gauges on the instrument panel. New Embossed Momentum seat fabric has a performance feel, detailed look and expressive design via secondary layered silver accents. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with bright silver accents provides a great view to the large satin-silver finished gauge cluster with chromed rings. Premium floor mats and door-entry sill plates add a final touch to this special-edition Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Chrysler is limiting production of its 14th factory-customized PT Cruiser to 1,750 units for the 2009 model year. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be $22,700, which includes $670 for destination.
Based off of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser that arrives this fall, the Dream Cruiser Series 5 is available with two fuel-efficient 2.4-liter powertrains that are perfect for cruising any avenue. The standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated 16-valve engine produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque and is coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine achieves 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. A potent 180 horsepower (134 kW) turbo-charged 2.4-liter is available, providing 210 lb.-ft. (285 N•m) of torque to the pavement while achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is well appointed with standard equipment including: power windows with auto-down function on both front windows, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, MP3-play capability and auxiliary audio input jack, 65/35 fold/tumble/removable rear seats, a center console with sliding armrest and storage, Chrysler signature analog clock, compass, temperature display, air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats with seat heaters, front dome lamp, cargo compartment lamp, floor mats, 12-volt center instrument panel power outlet, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt-steering column. To top off interior appointments, a 368-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system and power sun roof are available.
Standard exterior equipment includes body-color front and rear fascias, body-color fog lamp surrounds, Chrysler winged badge on the hood and liftgate, upper and lower billet aluminum cross-hatch pattern grilles, chromed door handles, chromed body-side moldings, chromed stainless steel exhaust tip (on turbo), 17-inch SRT Design wheels with all-season performance tires, unique ‘PT’ door badging, PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 tailgate badge, fog lamps and a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl hoop spoiler to match the accented roof. Exclusive Midnight White Pearl Coat exterior paint completes the dramatic look.
The limited-edition 2009 PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 also includes more than 25 standard safety and security features found on the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including standard front-seat-mounted side air bags, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child-seat anchor system, brake/park interlock, lap and shoulder seat belts in all positions, rear-door child protection locks, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer, speed-sensitive power locks, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Lineup Continues to Grow
The Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 marks the 14th customized version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model. The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 joins the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, the refreshed 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66, Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition and Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Editions.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Production
Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2008, 1,304,702 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.

High-End Hybrid

With parent company Toyota scrambling to get its third-generation Prius ready by next year and racing against General Motors and its Volt project to be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid, its Lexus luxury arm also is reportedly hard at work on its own variant of the new Prius, which it will most likely unveil in a concept form similar to the illustration pictured here at the 2009 Detroit auto show.
Although Lexus has yet to have a dedicated hybrid in its lineup (it has hybrid versions of its RX ‘ute and GS and LS sedans), the next-generation Prius, which is expected to be bigger and packed with more power, should be far more suitable for an upmarket offering.

The difference between the Lexus variant and the Prius itself — as is generally the case for Lexus models with Toyota underpinnings — is not expected to be much more than skin deep. The as-yet-unnamed Lexus will have its own body panels and may get a convertible variant, but both vehicles will be fitted with roof-mounted solar panels and nickel-metal hydride batteries upon launch.

While the Prius is expected next year as a 2010-model-year vehicle, it is not known yet how soon after the Lexus will follow. As for the much-talked-about lithium-ion batteries, those will arrive later with the launch of the plug-in model.

Additionally, the Lexus might not be built at the new Blue Springs, Mississippi, plant that Toyota has confirmed will build the Prius starting in 2010. The luxury brand is averse to building its vehicles outside of Japan, with the RX crossover being its only non-Japanese-made model.

TOYOTA Sequoia

Toyota appears to have hit upon a novel way of unloading excess US truck and SUV supply: Send the vehicles overseas. While no firm decisions have been made, Steve St. Angelo, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, told a group of industry observers the company’s full-size Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs could be attractive to buyers in other countries. We’d presume he’s talking about African nations, Russia and Asia, places where large vehicles still command a strong following thanks to folks with lots of money to spend. Either way, it sounds like a win-win, since Toyota could take advantage of the weak dollar and keep its US factories humming while we could offload our junk on someone else for a change.

RC Spade

Due to be launched at this year’s Paris Motor Show, Peugeot’s stunning new hybrid concept car has been revealed!

Peugeot’s new lion is set to roar in! Currently a work in progress, the RC… will be unveiled at the French maker’s home motor show, Paris, this October.

Styled by Peugeot’s new design boss Jerome Gallix, the rakish four door, four seater coupe follows on from previous RC Spade and RC Diamond concept cars of 2002, and the eccentric rear engined V12 diesel 908RC luxury saloon revealed at the 2006 Paris show.

But whereas these previous efforts boasted glamorous looks and conventional petrol or diesel engines, the RC…’s headturning shape debuts Peugeot’s hybrid powertrain.

Although details are scarce, Peugeot has announced that the RC…’s engine will produce up to 313bhp, while emitting just 109g/km of CO2, or 0g/km when in full electric mode.

peugeot rc

peugeot RC

Ford Escape Hybrid

An industry group we’ve never heard of called “Experian Automotive” is reporting this morning nearly half of hybrid vehicle owners will buy a vehicle of the same brand when they buy another one, making them some of the most loyal customers in the industry. Of course, they may not be buying a hybrid again because they’re apparently not the most segment-loyal. Who is? You guessed it, pickup truck owners. The specifics, and why this could be good for GM and Ford below the jump.

Experian claims 47% of hybrid buyers choose another car from the same manufacturer, as opposed to 35% of buyers overall. Sounds like good news, but for whom? While the report may seem like a boost for Honda and Toyota — and it no doubt is — there’s also a silver lining for GM and Ford. While the General doesn’t have the best name recognition on its hybrid lineup, it does have two new hybrid trucks in the market starting second quarter of next year, which potentially could allow them to capitalize on the trend — especially considering over 30% of pickup buyers buy another pickup. That compares to only 25% of hybrid buyers. Similarly, the Ford Escape Hybrid has a following of its own among green-conscious buyers needing more space, arguably leading to the potential for halo sales of additional Ford products — including other SUVs of the non-hybrid variety.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: Maybe it’s not all roses, but there’s an opportunity for domestic manufacturers to build a few more sales off hybrid pickup and SUV purchases. Of course, they’ll both need to sell more than the token few hundred (in GMs case) or the token few thousand (in the case of Ford).

Audi Avant 2015

The new concepts for Audi Avant developed by students of SPD Master’s in Car Design in collaboration with Audi made their debut on Tuesday 27th June at Scuola Politecnica di Design. The presentation was to Walter de’ Silva, Design Director Audi Brand Group, actively involved in the project along with his staff: Gary Telaak for the externals and Ingo Von Bargen for the interior.

“Giving shape to the evolution of the world famous Audi concept, Avant” this was the task that Walter De’ Silva assigned last October to SPD Master’s students. The challenge was launched and twenty young designers from all over the world stepped up to take part: from the Netherlands to Israel, from Belarus to France and all emerging talents from Italy. Eleven different proposals were developed under the guidance of Marco Bonetto, the head of SPD Master’s in Transportation Design. Ideas which project Avant in the near future, outlining the direction for development.

designing Avant

The students’ interpretations range from new coupés with great space for luggage, luxurious limousines and convertibles with fluid lines inspired by boat design.

Three models in particular have attracted the attention of Audi and will be soon presented to the Design Center in Ingolstadt: an unyielding coupé with sophisticated graphics designed by Oleksiy Tsapliy, a thirty years old Ukrainian student; the luxurious landaulet of Dzmitry Samal, twentyfour years old from Belarus, divided into a zone exclusively for the driver and a cabin reserved for VIP travellers; and the sporty Avant coupé designed by Kamil Labanowicz, a twentyfive years old from Poland, perfectly adapted to the city but equally at ease during a weekend away.

The sports car is the theme focussed on the 2006-2007 Master in Transportation Design, for the third year running in collaboration with the group Audi Seat Lamborghini. Still concentrating on the Audi brand, the new students at SPD will face this challenge trying to find innovative interpretation the brand of the four rings which means elegance, lifestyle and of course, sportiness.