With all the excitement over the V10 Audi R8, we almost forgot abut the convertible version. Last time we checked in with the droptop supercar it was scheduled to be in European showrooms by the end of the year, and there was still debate on wether it would be a full convertible or a targa roof. Now we have some clarity.
For starters, North America was always going to have to wait until 2010 for the first R8 roadsters, but now it appears even Europe will have to wait until next year. The combination of strong international demand, and the need to space out the introduction of the V10 and the topless R8 has pushed everyone into 2010.
Also the R8 will be a full convertible. An Audi representative told Inside Line that Audi USA rallied hard for a full convertible because it was likely to have more appeal on our shores.
It’s not too hard to imagine the rumored Lamborghini Reventon roadster, just chop the little roof section and voilà la. But if the people at Global Motors are going to take the time to make a rendering, then we’re happy to revisit the idea of a 670 hp, €1,200,000 (about $1.6 million) roadster.
Rumors are going around that BMW has approved a two-seat speedster version of the Mini. Although the design will be different (including more angular design and rear tonneau cover,) underneath the skin it will likely share many components from the other models, including the 208 hp 1.6-liter engine from the JCW Mini.
The 370Z Roadster made its world debut at the New York Auto Show. Premiering less than five months after the coupe version, the roadster truly just takes the advantages of the 370Z and chops off the top. This means the 370Z Roadster is lighter, shorter and more powerful than its predecessor.
Just like the coupe, the droptop is powered by the same 332-hp 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine (up 26 hp from the 350Z Roadster). Included with the engine is Variable Valve Event and Lift control (VVEL) and the redline is raised about 1000 rpms to 7500. The engine mated to either a seven-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching, or close-ratio six-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match (it ‘blips’ the throttle to keep the car in the next gear’s powerband). Estimated fuel economy with both transmissions is 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The 370Z Roadster is being offered in two different versions: 370Z Roadster and the 370Z Touring Roadster. The Touring version will be available with two packages: Sport Package, with 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential; and the Navigation Package, with Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and USB connectivity.
Full details and more pics in the press release after the jump.
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Just a little reminder about the Nissan 370Z roadster at the New York Auto Show. We’ve been enjoying the coupe for a few months now, and we almost forgot to keep our eyes peeled in New York this week for the droptop version. Like the coupe, the roadster will be powered by a 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 332 hp at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm.
We’ll have all the details later this week from New York.
When a high school band needs to raise money, it has a bake sale; when Lamborghini needs to raise money, it drags out the old castings it has for an ultra-rare supercar and whips up an new batch without a top.
This seems to be the best explanation for rumors going around about a roadster version of the Reventon in the works. After all the current economy has caused Lamborghini to see a slowdown in sales and it possibly put the brakes on the Estoque, so what better way to get some cash by tapping into the ultra rich one more time.
Lambo won’t have a whole lot of work it has to put in to taking off the Reventon’s top. The roadster can likely utilize many of the production molds from the coupe. Also much of the engineering work can likely be borrowed from the Murciélago LP650-4 Roadster, and it will likely borrow the 670 hp engine from the Murcielago LP 670-4 SV.
Although the coupe was limited to only twenty units, the topless version will be an even more exclusive show. The roadster will be limited to nine cars, priced at €1,200,000 each (currently about $1.6 million).
Okay, we are not going to go through the whole process again about how Porsche may get a version of Volkswagen’s BlueSport Concept. A rendering of the roadster is a good excuse to focus on the Porsche side of the speculation, but for those that don’t know the whole story, just read this.
The basics are if Porsche gets in bed with the VW Bluesport, it could either serve as the new smaller, lighter Boxster or slot under the Boxster as a 914 revival. If Porsche does develop a brand new car, don’t expect the name to be 356, Speedster or anything else significant from Porsche’s history. The German company is too proud of its heritage to be reduced to selling car on nostalgia.
If a Bluesport Porsche does go into production, no matter who does the actual assembly, Porsche would still be the one to make the engine. The likely candidate would be it’s planned four-cylinder powerplant.
Remember that this is a lot of speculation. Porsche has a lot of obstacles including a large investment in facilities, and it would need to find a way to distinguish the next Boxster so there would be no cannibalization. But if this plan does come together, we could expect to see the new roadster by 2013.
The new 2009 BMW Z4 is about to hit the showroom, so for those of you who missed the Z4 promotional stunt, here is how Robin Rhode decided to showcases the new BMW Z4...as a giant paint brush.
The German automaker also released an iPhone app that lets you be the artist.
Alright, time to travel back into the murky waters that is the Volkswagen Group’s lineup mash-up. Here’s what we do know: Audi will get a version of the Volkswagen BlueSport concept. How it fits into Audi’s family is the debate.
Audi has been using a codename R4 on a mid-engined project. The thought was that the R4 would be the Audi based off the BlueSport. This rumor itself was already pretty tricky, and was explained last month. Now Auto Express is using the codename R2 for the VW based roadster, which could move the playing field.
If plans for a R2 and R4 both exist then, it could mean multiple cars coming from both Porsche and Audi. Porsche is possibly getting a version of the BlueSport chassis that could go to a 914 revival. An earlier rumor pegged the R4 to share many pieces with the Porsche Boxster. So one possibility is that the R4/Boxster/Cayman could play big brother to the BlueSport/R2/914 chasis.
But all this is speculation also would mean that the Volkswagen Group is laying out a lot of money on new designs at a time when cash is tight. Plus there are plenty of questions still to be answered: Is there really room in the Audi lineup for a R2 and R4? How many chassises will Audi be utilizing? Is this just a case of one car going under two names?
Only time and Ritalin will give us the answer.
Lamborghini finally revealed today the special edition Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster. It will be limited to only 50 units and the price will be around $400k.
The LP 650-4 Roadster is powered by a 6.5 litre V12 engine that produces 650 hp and a peak torque of 660 Nm. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.4 seconds and can hit a top speed of 205mph.
On the exterior the car combines grey bodywork with a special bright orange Arancio LP 650-4 featured on the front spoiler and sills. Also the special edition is being distinguished by LP 650-4 logo applied to the car’s exterior.
On the interior continues the same grey-and-orange paint scheme with an asymmetric dash design, with black Alcantara Nera on the driver’s side, including door panel and central tunnel, and black leather Nero Perseus on the passenger’s side.
Press release after the jump.
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