Inside sources have let out a much anticipated secret; Ford will unveil an ST version for their new Focus at the Paris Motor Show. At that same show we will also see the full production versions of the five-door and estate models.
Rumors have been getting around that the Focus would be an ideal vehicle to boost and those rumors were solidified when Ford’s product development boss, Derrick Kuzak announced back in March that the new model would get "an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for”.
So you can expect to see a Focus ST powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine that will deliver around 250bhp and 350Nm of torque. These figures are a tad bit lower than the Ford Focus RS model. Why endanger a great vehicle, right? The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in around 6 seconds and top speed will be limited to 155 mph.
The future Focus ST will be offered with clever torque vectoring software and a variety of driving modes. It will go on sale in late 2011.
Lincoln unveiled today at the New York Auto Show, the 2011 MKZ Hybrid. This is the company’s first ever hybrid vehicle, but a logical step if you consider both the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan are also available with hybrid drivetrains.
The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid uses Ford’s second-generation hybrid technology – the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 hybrid engine, a system that combines gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors and delivers a total of 191 hp. In pure electric mode, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid can drive with a top speed of up to 47 mph. Compared to its main competitor, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, the Lincoln hybrid tops their fuel efficiency by 6mpg with 41mpg in the city.
Also, a trump card that can be played against the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is Lincoln’s extra space allowing for one more passenger, segment-exclusive safety features, and more standard luxury. The Lincoln luxury hybrid sedan will be offered with: SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Lincoln SYNC, 10-Way Power Passenger Seat, Genuine Wood Trim, Reverse Sensing System, Keyless Entry Keypad, Personal Safety System, Acoustic Laminated Windshield and standard Bridge of Weir leather seats. These items will either not be offered with the Lexus or will come with an additional price tag.
Updated 07/22/2010: Lincoln today announced prices for the 2011 MKZ Hybrid that will go on sale this fall. Prices will start at $35,180, a price identical to the 2011 Lincoln MKZ gas model and below the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, the MKZ Hybrid’s nearest competitor.
Press release after the jump.<
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The Korean automaker Kia has officially released details about the next generation Sportage SUV, the 2011 Kia Sportage.
Sharing the same platform with its compatriot, the Hyundai Tucson, the 2011 Sportage looks to have the leg-up on the Tucson in terms of being a little bigger and wider, which should translate into having a roomier interior.
The design for the 2011 Sportage also seems to have benefitted from the supervision of Peter Schreyer, whose previous design work with Audi has seemingly translated into some of the aesthetic design cues that can be noticed in the new Sportage, including sharper curves, and a completely revamped front end that previous Sportage models didn’t come in.
Featuring a fresh, bold, athletic and sporty design; longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Sportage will offer more space for people and cargo, with improved ride quality thanks to the longer wheelbase; the new Sportage will go on sale later this year, with a choice of both diesel and gasoline engines following its debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
Updated 07/21/2010: Kia today announced prices for the 2011 Sportage that will go on sale in USA at a price of $18,295 for the base trim that includes: air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio capability with three months complimentary service, Bluetooth wireless technology and MP3 connectivity.
Press release after the jump.
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Tuned versions of the Chevrolet Camaro are quite a fashion statement for SEMA and this year’s show will be no exception. CGS Motorsports is currently working on a tuned up version of the Camaro that will step up its popularity and give it some more flare to compete with the Mustangs of the world.
The CGS Camaro will be distinguished by a unique custom paint, a ZR1 influenced hood, and body kit by ACS. The CGS team is also designing and building handmade chrome moldings. IT will also include custom leather from Pecca Leather, one of CGS’s Cat-Back Exhaust Systems, and Whipple Ind’s new Camaro twin screw supercharger producing close to 500hp.
The package will be finished by 22" wheels up front, a set of 24"x15" rear wheels by Genuine Boyds, and Pirelli’s new 405/25/24" rear tires. The suspension will also receive some work as it is being replaced with Chris Alston’s Fab 9 rear end with latter bar and coil over suspension.
Press release after the jump.
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Today, BMW officially unveiled the second generation X3 Sports Activity Vehicle. The new model will make its first public appearance at the Paris Auto Show and will go into production at BMW’s Spartanburg plant.
On the exterior the new X3 receives a forward-slanting BMW kidney grille, a large headlight assembly, a powerful-looking front apron, and a bonnet boasting six contour lines sweeping down to meet at the kidney grill. The new X3 will also feature chromed trims on the sides, powerfully flared wheel arches, and taillights with a distinctive T shape. The interior is defined by a generous and variable spatial concept, high-grade materials, and a characteristic three-dimensional surface design.
The 2011 X3 will be offered with both four-cylinder diesel and straight six-cylinder petrol engine. The X3 xDrive20d is now powered by a 2-liter four cylinder turbo diesel engine that delivers a total of 184 HP and peak torque of 380 Nm between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. The xDrive35i gets a straight six-cylinder BMW engine with 306 bhp at 5,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm being available at 1,300 rpm. The new BMW X3 xDrive35i is equipped as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, combined for the first time with an Auto Start Stop function. The list of standard equipment will include a Head-up Display, Adaptive Cornering Headlights, High-beam Assistant, and Cruise Control with braking function.
Press release after the jump.
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Citroen sure knows how to capture attention at these auto shows, don’t they?
Remember Paris in 2008? Yeah, that’s when Citroen unveiled the GT by Citroen concept. This year, at the Geneva Motor Show, the French automaker is at it again, this time bringing the aggressively neoned up Survolt concept. It features the same design language as the GT, but taken to a more compact dimension. And if the GT made it to production - only six have been made at $1.8 million a pop - we’re pretty confident that somewhere down the road, we’ll see a production version of the Survolt too.
The concept’s front is defined by the same large oval-shaped grille, slim, horizontal head lamps with LED lamps. The rear features the elegant light signature of the Citroen Revolte together with a spoiler in a timely and essential reference to motor sport, all of which were made through the use of a combination of chrome and aluminum.
Although Citroen is still withholding further details surrounding the Survolt, it is expected that the concept will be powered by an electric drive-train.
UPDATE 07/07/2010: Citroen has announced that the Survolt will indeed make an appearance that’s not in an auto expo showroom, but rather at the Le Mans Classic on July 10. You read that right; the Survolt is getting prepped for its racing debut. Vanina Ickx, daughter of former racing ace Jacky Ickx, will drive the electric vehicle.
Citroen has also finally given us the inner workings of the Survolt, including the concept’s technical specs. The car measures at 3.85m long, 1.87.m wide, and 1.2m high and weighs in at just 1,150 kg. It comes with a tubular chassis, a flat underside with an extractor, and full carbon bodywork. As for capabilities, the Survolt can produce a 0-60 mph time of just a shade under five seconds with a top speed of 162 mph.
Updated 07/13/2010: Citroen today unveiled images with the electric concept at the Le Mans circuit, where the Survolt made its first laps. The concept’s driver, Vanina Ickx, said: "I am very happy to participate in this unique project. On the track, I had a very good sensation. It’s a real race car, with a very promising potential for the future."
UPDATE 07/23/2010: Citroen has now unveiled the Survolt’s laps around the legendary LeMans circuit! Check it out by clicking on the picture above!
Press release after the jump.
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It’s official: the new Esprit will make its world debut in September at the Paris Auto Show. Next to it Lotus will also unveil two new front-engined GT cars and a new roadster, all coming in concept versions. The production versions are expected to be unveiled in July 2012. This decision has been made as a result of Lotus’ new strategy to dramatically increase profitability through its new range of more upmarket models, meaning Lotus is serious about competing with models from Porsche and Ferrari.
A while ago, a Lotus insider said the next Esprit would be "the ultimate expression of the brand." We have to remind you that there were rumors stating that the new Esprit would get the same 4.8 Liter V10 from the Lexus LF-A supercar producing 550 HP. There were also rumors saying the entry level will be powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 from the Evora that produces 300 HP. In any case, the next Esprit will sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in about 4 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of around 200 MPH.
The British maker Bentley will unveil the convertible version of its most powerful and fastest Continental ever in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible will go on sale in June (all markets) and it is expected to have a price of aprox. $300k.
As with the coupe version, the Supersports Convertible is powered by a 6-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 621bhp 6000
rpm and 590lb ft of torque at 2000-4500 rpm. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.9 seconds, while top speed goes up to 202 mph.
The new convertible also features: ZF 6HP26 transmission with ’Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50%, all-wheel drive system, Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension, lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offering 22lb weight saving per car, carbon-ceramic brakes, lightweight, carbon fiber, front sports seats, saving 99lb per car, Alcantara, carbon fiber and ’Soft Grip’ leather and of course, FlexFuel capability.
Updated 03/03/2010: Bentley today revealed the first video of the fastest four-seat production convertible car in the world. Check it out!
Updated 03/31/2010: The Continental Supersports Convertible made its North American debut today at the New York Auto Show. At the event, Bentley announced the car will be available this summer, starting at $280,400.
Updated 06/28/2010: Bentley unveiled today a new image gallery of the Continental Supersports Convertible. Check them out!
Updated 07/06/2010: The new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible made its official public driving debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed. With several searing runs up the famous hill, it forcibly underlined its supercar performance credentials. Images in the picture gallery.
Press release after the jump.
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Let’s face it, Renault is a brand consisting of family cars, and besides the new Gordini models, there is nothing in the line-up that inspires sportiness. But the new DeZir concept set to be unveiled at the Paris Auto Show seems to be the exception to that rule. The concept is the first work of Renault’s new chief designer, Laurent van den Acker, and represents a mid-engined, gullwing electric coupe.
The new DeZir concept features a new front-end design that previews the new front-end identity of the next Renault models. The headlights take the form of backlit prisms and the perforated ’eyelids’ add to this high-tech feel and contribute to DeZir’s specific lighting signature. Rear lighting is provided by an illuminated, seemingly floating strip and the Renault logo is highlighted by backlighting through the fins of the grille and consequently appears to hover in the middle of this space.
DeZir is powered by an electric motor mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. The vertically-mounted 24kW/h lithium-ion battery is located behind the benchseat and provides the car with a range of 160km. The new concept can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in five seconds, and from 0 to 50 km/h (31 mph) in just two seconds.
Press release after the jump.
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A few weeks ago we took a trip to a local bar to watch our hometown baseball team, the Cleveland Indians. Normally we would just go to the game because the tickets are pretty cheap, but even $5 is a bit much to watch a team that really stinks.
Going into the game it was hard to get excited because we have won very few games and are in last place in the division, so needless to say, we weren’t expecting a whole lot. Amazingly though, the team did pretty well and even won the game.
It wasn’t easy for them, but it was determination that brought them a well deserved win. The same can be said for Suzuki. It’s been quite some time since they have been anything to write home about, but after years of hard work and staying under the radar, they finally have a winner on their hands.
The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi was one of those cars where you never quite knew what to expect. Sure, people have written that it was good and a step in the right direction for the company, but, like buying a generic brand cereal, you never want to believe the hype no matter what they tell you or how good it might be.
Hit the jump for the rest of the review.
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