Another company that’s celebrating the century mark is Morgan. Unlike Mercedes or Audi, Morgan has not evolved much in the last 100 years. It’s a source of pride for Morgan that the cars are still built by hand, and even its more modern cars like the Aero 8 still use wood in part of the construction. So when Morgan announces a new model, we tend to take notice.
This past weekend the Aero SuperSports premiered at the Pebble Beach of Italy, Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. Based on the AeroMax coupe, the SuperSports has two aluminum roof panels that turn it into a targa. It’s powered by the same 4.8-liter BMW-sourced V8 engine that’s in the AeroMax. So we suspect it will make a similar 367 hp. It will enter into production in early 2010 and will be priced at £127,000 (about $185,000 at the current rates).
That may sound like a lot of money, but a Morgan is so much more than just a car. It stands for some of the world’s best craftsmanship and displays old world opulence at its finest. The release of the AeroMax coupe and SuperSports have helped Morgan join the modern era as well. Refinements to the chassis, engine and styling have made this car one of the most desirable cars on the road.
Hit the jump for more details on the Morgan Aero SuperSports.
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China is the most important market to Buick. It not only sells more cars in the Orient than here, but the unloved by the U.S. Terraza minivan was also a real hit over there. So at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show it revealed a special car with Chinese influence called the Buick Business Concept.
So why is a MPV shown as a business car? Unlike in the U.S. where minivans are the shame of the soccer field, their size is seen as something of prestige in China. As far as design goes, this is a relatively good looking for a minivan. The flowing lines are reminiscent of the Mazda Biante.
For all those minivan fans out there, this may be as close as most of you will get to this Buick. Although production plans and distribution areas have not yet been announced, it’s likely that this will not be a world car for GM.
More pics and info in the press release after the jump
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Treat Hyundai’s Nuvis like a 3D hidden image picture. Squint the eyes and look at everything a little out of focus, now you’re looking at the future Hyundai crossover vehicles.
Premiering at the New York Auto Show, the Nuvis shows the styling direction that will be used on future refreshes to vehicles such as the Tucson, Santa Fe and Veracruz.
Just like the Blue-Will concept, the Nuvis is a showcase for Hyundai’s Blue Drive hybrid system. The concept is powered by a 2.4-liter Theta II engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 40 hp (205 N-m) electric motor.
Don’t expect to see the Nuvis on the streets anytime soon. While the flowing lines are attractive, the gullwing doors and limited seating for four makes the Nuvis more of a styling exercise than a future production vehicle.
Press release after the jump.
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Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has gotten a lot of millage out of ex-Rover/MG designs. For example, the groundwork for it’s small Roewe 550 sedan had already been laid out by the time the Nanjing Automobile Group (which would become SAIC) bought the bones of MG Rover in 2005.
Now the once British MG is celebrating its 85th anniversary, and SAIC is honoring it by bringing back the long-honored tradition of badge engineering. Later this month at the Shanghai Auto Show, SAIC will show off a concept called the MG6. While it may have a face of its own, everything else should be recognizable as the Roewe 550, including the ex-Rover 1.8-liter turbo engine.
While the IQ is already sold in Japan and Europe as a Toyota, it’s getting its shot at the U.S. with the younger, hipper Scion brand. Unlike the other markets where the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine is available, the IQ will only be available with the 1.3-liter four cylinder unit. This makes a respectable 93 hp — not bad for a three-seat (plus luggage) car that may return over 55 mpg.
More details and pics in the press release after the jump.
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