If you thought two special edition MINIs were enough, then you probably don’t know the German automaker all that well. Known for their bombastic flair and penchant for the out-of-the-box, MINI has released another special edition vehicle, following in the trail of the Baker Street and Bayswater models.
This one’s called the Highgate Convertible, and comes with plenty of special edition goodies befitting MINI’s quirky personality. For starters, the car has been painted with a new metallic hue - Iced Chocolate - and contrasted by brown and black bonnet stripes with blue edging. Should Iced Chocolate not suit your tastebuds, MINI’s offering two other color options with equally irrepressible names: Midnight Black and White Silver. The Highgate Convertible also receives a brown soft-top to go with a new set of 17" Double Cross light-alloy wheels.
Interior modifications for the special edition MINI Convertible includes leather seats dressed up in Dark Truffle with light contrast stitching and light blue piping. Stainless steel pedals are also offered, as is a Suntouched Brushed Alloy interior trim, and last but not least, MINI’s Chrome Line Interior package.
The Highgate Convertible is being offered on four trims of the Cooper: the standard version, the Cooper S, the Cooper D, and the Cooper SD. Sales for the special edition convertible begin in April 2012.
Jaguar made a sensational decision in producing the XKR-S Coupe and they have decided it’s time to expand the impressive line-up with the addition of a new Convertible model. The new XKR-S Convertible made its world debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and is the most powerful and fastest open-topped GT Jaguar has ever built.
The convertible uses the same 5.0-liter supercharged AJ-V8 engine as the coupe version. It delivers a total of 543 HP and a peak torque of 502 lbs-ft; enough power to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 186 mph.
Just like the coupe version, the XKR-S Convertible received an impressive aerodynamic package that helps maintain stability in an open-topped car capable of speeds as high as 186mph. More than that, all the exterior changes make the XKR-S look more aggressive and sportier than ever.
Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director says, "There is nothing as liberating as life behind the wheel of an open-topped Jaguar and the new XKR-S Convertible takes the Jaguar GT experience to new heights."
UPDATE 02/02/2012: Jaguar has unveiled a new video showing the XKR-S Convertible as it plays in the snow somewhere in Finland. Enjoy!
More details on the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S after the jump.
Full story
Volkswagen unveiled the coupe version of the new generation Beetle in April 2011 at the New York Auto Show and at that time, everyone believed that a cabrio version would only be a few months away. However, Volkswagen has decided to make us wait a little bit longer with the new Beetle Cabrio not making its world debut until late 2012. That’s just a little too long to wait so we got to work and came up with this rendering of the future drop top Beetle.
The upcoming Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will feature a design language similar to that of the coupe version, except, of course, for its soft-top folding roof. This means that the convertible Beetle will be bolder, more dynamic, and more masculine, making it a tad more appealing to the male population. Looking at the new Beetle, there’s a new design line from the front bumper and front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, a precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar, and new styling of the rear lights, all assisting in the new generation’s transformation into a new world.
The engine line-up will also be borrowed from the coupe version and will include one diesel and two petrol engine with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. Every engine will be paired with either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG transmission.
Lamborghini skipped the Detroit Auto Show in terms of any major reveals, but the Geneva Motor Show is going to be a whole different story. The company is planning on unveiling two major vehicles at the show, one of them being the highly anticipated Roadster version of the Lamborghini Aventador and a mysterious second model.
TeamSpeed has a few thoughts on what this mystery model may be. The first is a production version of the Sesto Elemento which we’ve all been waiting for since the concept was revealed in 2010. A second possibility is that Lamborghini could be presenting a concept version of the company’s replacement for the current Gallardo, a model currently known as the Cabrera.
Another possibility is that Lamborghini has finally decided on that third model they’ve been going back and forth on for way too long. President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, has stated in the past that a final on either the Lamborghini SUV or the Estoque will be made in early 2012, so this option seems to be the most plausible. If the decision is made, then we’ll more than likely see a concept version of it soon.
Check back with us soon for more details on the mystery model!
With a future hell bent on driving around in electric vehicles, the electric car company business seems like a pretty good investment. Even a German electric bicycle maker is getting in on the action with a cool project based on the Lotus Elise platform - hey, Tesla’s not using it for the Roadster anymore so it’s fair game.
The new PG Elektrus features a battery-powered drivetrain that delivers a total of 268 HP and a peak torque of 258 lb-ft. This system will sprint the car to an impressive top speed of 186 mph, but the company has opted to limit the car to 155 mph. The Elektrus can get from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and has an autonomy of 217 miles. The motor is mated to an automatic transmission with six modes offering different levels of acceleration.
The exterior of the future high-performance two-seater comes with a carbon fiber trim and a matte black paint job, while the interior is even more dramatic with a center panel that resembles the launch mechanism of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Yeah, it’s that cool.
According to PG, the Elektrus is shooting for “city racer par excellence,” and it very well should considering it is being sold for $370,000.
