Fiat and Abarth are coming fully loaded to the Bologna Motor Show armed with barrel full of special edition 500s and Puntos. We’ve already touched on the 500 Competizione, the 500 Turismo, and the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse so now we’re pointing the proverbial spotlight on the fourth model headed to Bologna: the Abarth Punto Scorpione Limited Edition.
This particular model is being described as a tribute model to "everyone who loves to pit themselves against any kind of challenge in a never-ending search for speed and performance both on the track and facing a downhill road."
Dressing the part of a sinister-looking, all-black limited edition Abarth, the Punto Scorpione is poised to steal the show, not only because it has such an awesome name, but more so because it will be presented with the “Abarth Nitro” winter kit that will come with plenty of winter-themed accessories, including, but not limited to, the “Nitro Powered by Abarth” snowboard.
Adding more touches to the 99-piece model is a two-tone Nero Scorpione livery that’s enhanced by a special matte black paintwork on the bonnet and roof with special glossy black graphics for the roof and the bonnet. Inside, the special enhancements continue in the form of "Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" black leather seats with red and yellow stitching, a matte black backrest, a leather steering wheel with its own red and yellow stitching, Jaeger driving instruments, and a laser-treated aluminium kick plate with special graphics.
Under its hood, the Scorpione Limited Edition is powered by a 1.4-liter MultiAir engine that develops 180 horsepower and 199 lb/ft of torque with a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 134 mph.
Every automaker that has small car on their line-up has taken to modifying these models for B-Spec competition. We saw a couple of them introduced at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show - the Kia Rio and the Toyota Yaris come to mind - and now, it appears that one more will be making its debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
MINI USA, together with MINI of Charleston in South Carolina, have announced that a MINI Cooper Hardtop will formally enter B-Spec competition for the 2012 season.
"B-Spec racing is a great fit for MINI because the car is developed with racing heritage in mind and the races are run with vehicles very similar to those already sitting in the driveway,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA.
As race-spec models, the Cooper B-Spec will be completely overhauled to adhere to the standards and regulations of the B-Spec class. One of the most important modifications on the Cooper will be made on the interior, where almost all of the accessories and features of the road-going car will be stripped out and replaced by racing and safety equipment. Among the items that will be fitted into the Cooper B-Spec racer include a new Kirkey Intermediate Road Racing Seat, a Kirk Racing Roll Cage, Schroth Hybrid III Harnesses, Cage Nets, and Window Net.
As far as the engine is concerned, the Cooper B-Spec Racer will retain the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine of the road car, together with the 121-horsepower and 114 lb/ft of torque numbers it comes with. Moreover, the suspension set-up of the race car will feature KW V1 Coilover Struts and Shocks/ Vorshlag front camber plates while the wheel/tire set-up will comprise of a new set of 15" Kosei K1 aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Hoosier SM6 tires.
Suzuki’s line-up of cars that will be displayed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show strongly suggests the direction these guys are planning to go: "Let’s do away with the high-performance and focus on future global compact cars!"
One of the models that’s scheduled to be in attendance is the Suzuki Regina Concept, a lightweight minicar that Suzuki is promoting as a future city-dweller. The Regina’s exterior design hints at the green initiative the company going for. The Lime Green paint finish is a pretty strong indication of that, as is the the overall shape of the car that makes it look like a turtle.
All joking aside, the set-up is pretty cool, especially the contrasting white roof that adds a touch of flavor to the car without being a little too flashy. Apparently, the Regina Concept also has small rear view cameras tucked into the rear and semi-covered rear wheels that are made possible by the odd crease lines on the body panels.
Inside, the Regina Concept also carries the same two-color finish of the exterior, which, when combined to the dark grey surfaces, adds a serene and earthy tone. There’s not much to go around inside, which might suggest a minimalistic approach from Suzuki. All you can really take from it is that it’s got a 2+2 seating configuration and a seemingly out-of-place steering wheel, a tilted center-mounted display that appears to be transparent, and pixelated patterns on the seats and floor mats.
More details about the Regina Concept will be revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show so be sure to be around when that happens in December!
Over the past few years, the Tokyo Motor Show has been kind of a dud because of a number circumstances beyond its control. This year promises to be different and a number of automakers have already previewed some very interesting concepts that will debut in Tokyo next month.
One of these brands is Suzuki, the local Japanese automaker that’s set to preview its new urban vehicle, the Q-Concept.
Described as a new kind of mobility solution, the Q Concept is a tiny 1+1 urban car that can be transformed with two small rear seats that can be completely taken off to accommodate for a larger cargo space in the rear. The Q Concept is replete with unique features, highlighted by a pair of circular doors that open by swiveling around the front-positioned pivot point. Then there’s the rear side window, which has been contoured, forming a panel that slides up and to the rear, providing access to the rear seat.
And we haven’t even gotten to the exterior finish of the car; the combination of white, mixed with elements of orange, provide a spunky look to what already looks like a Jetson-type mode of transportation.
Meanwhile, the interior of the Q Concept features a panoramic windshield that extends upwards to the rood. Two lower side windows also add to the prevalent use of transparent surfaces. The dashboard of the Q Concept also speaks to the car’s circular graphic theme, while the H-shaped steering wheel and the HUD-inspired instrument panel adds plenty of technological - and concept worthy - attractions.
The Suzuki Q Concept will be fully unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, providing us a good glimpse at the future of Suzuki vehicles. Stick around for all the details when they become available!
Audi may be sending out the current generation TT-RS with one final special edition - the TT-RS Plus - but they are introducing another with that same package. At least, that is what a leaked document is suggesting.
Back in June 2011, Audi reported that all of the 2,700 units of the highly anticipated RS3 Sportback had been sold out, but if this document is to be taken seriously, then customers may have another chance to snag the sports hatch in an even cooler package. The RS3 Plus will take the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine - also found in the TT-RS - and jump-start it by 20 HP, leaving it with a total of 360 HP and 342 lb-ft. of torque. And just like with the TT-RS Plus, the RS3 Plus will be a few pounds lighter, thus making it a little bit faster. Expect to see different carbon fiber elements as well, most likely a specially designed wheel and a fixed rear wing.
The Audi RS3 Plus will be unveiled in May 2012, a month after the TT-RS Plus.
