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Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Some new cars are predictable; others catch us by surprise. This one we could see from a mile away, and not just because it's enormous. But after Bentley rolled out Speed versions of the Continental GT coupe (which we've sampled) and Flying Spur sedan, it was only a matter of time before the same treatment would be applied to the GTC convertible variant. And now we're seeing the spy shots to prove it. The Bentley Continental GTC Speed, as it's certain to be called, will feature all of the same upgrades we've seen on the Speed versions of its fixed-head counterparts. That means a power bump for its W12 engine to 602 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, suspension and aero tweaks and bigger wheels. All of it will add up to one fast-moving warm weather front that should hit U.S. shores in the near future as Hurricane Bentley.
posted : 10/27/2008 @4:20:21 PM
Spy Shots: 2011 Lamborghini Jota

For a company with only two principal model lines, Lamborghini sure has been busy lately. The limited run of Reventon seven-figure supercars are still rolling off the line, the Gallardo LP560-4 is reaching the market, the crowds at the Paris Motor Show were wowed by the four-door Estoque concept, there's an anticipated Superveloce (SV) version of the Murcielago on its way, and all the while, the team at Sant'Agata has been working on an all-new supercar. Sources differ on whether the new model, tentatively known as the Jota (reviving a classic Lamborghini nameplate) will emerge as another limited-edition ultra-car to rival the Ferrari Enzo or whether it will serve as the replacement for the aging Murcielago. The latter has been on the market for about seven years now in various iterations, the original breeding the Roadster, the LP640 revision, a handful of Versace editions and the aforementioned Reventon. But Lambo has known for a while now that its supercar, as eminently desirable as it remains, is due for replacement. The spy shots, snapped (where else) at the Nürburgring, show a test mule running with Murcielago bodywork, only with a few key modifications that betray its secret identity like Clark Kent caught without his glasses. For starters, the wheels are bearing what appears to be some sort of telemetry hubs. The vehicle also appears even wider than the linebacker Murcielago, and the vents behind the side windows have a different shape. Eyewitness accounts suggest the new Raging Bull will wear lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, except for the doors and roof, which seems like an odd choice. The Reventon-inspired bodywork is expected to be laid over an aluminum spaceframe to replace the current Murcielago's outdated and overweight steel tub. We expect the vehicle to retain its all-wheel-drive system – by now a hallmark of modern Lambos – with power coming from the latest version of the company's perennial V12, but with the potential addition of direct injection for improved power delivery. Whether the car in question will emerge as yet another limited version of the existing Murcielago or its anticipated replacement will become clearer as we get closer to its anticipated debut in two years as a 2011 model. But our money's on the latter.
posted : 10/27/2008 @4:18:24 PM
RWD Pontiac G8 will be dead in five years

It looks like things will be getting a lot less exciting at Pontiac, as some reports indicate that the erstwhile performance brand will be losing its best performers. Despite the fact that the G8 sedan has seen nothing but positive press from the media, including your humble scribes here at Autoblog, the realities of fuel economy and the global economy appear set to kill off the rear-wheel drive performance sedan in the prime of its short life. GM will reportedly not renew the G8 after its Holden-sourced chassis architecture is redesigned following a planned five-year run. The Pontiac Solstice in both coupe and convertible forms is also unlikely to see a second generation. Unfortunately, the Solstice, Saturn Sky and their Opel spin-off don't generate enough sales to support another go-round, which could leave Pontiac with exactly zero vehicles with overtly sporting pretensions. While the G6 may be a decent car, it and a Cobalt derivative in the form of the G5 and a rebadged Aveo known as the G3 do not a BMW competitor make. What does this mean for the future of Pontiac as a brand? We'll see.
posted : 10/27/2008 @4:16:37 PM
Volkswagen to build test track at Chattanooga plant

Volkswagen is planning to open a new test track in Tennesee to accompany the $1 billion plant the automaker is opening in Chattanooga. The plant is being built to assemble a new family sedan targeted specifically towards the American market, and the test facility will be used to develop the vehicle. However it could also serve as a location for customers to pick up and try out their new vehicles in the security of a closed-track setting. Volkswagen pointed out that the track, which will join the company's existing Gila Bend facility in Arizona, won't necessarily be a high-speed circuit, pointing towards the track at its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, where vehicles never exceed 85 mph. High speed testing takes place primarily at the company's Ehra-Lessien track, with a six-mile straight that allows for Veyron-style 250-mph runs. No more details were offered on the nature of the test track, but we're sure more will become available as construction progresses in Chattanooga, so stay tuned.
posted : 10/27/2008 @4:07:12 PM
Current Prius rumored to get price cut to compete with Insight

According to AutoExpress' Japan correspondent, Peter Lyon, when the 3rd generation Prius goes on sale in Europe next year, the current model will continue to be sold at a discount along side its modern counterpart. The rumored decision by Toyota is in response to the release of the new Honda Insight hybrid, which will start at around £15,000 when it goes on sale this March. In the report, Lyon contends that Toyota wants to woo people into showrooms with the current Prius' lower sticker in an attempt to compete with its cross-town rival. We're interested to see how this will play with consumers and wonder if Toyota will use a similar tactic when the next generation Prius goes on sale in the States around the same time.
posted : 10/22/2008 @11:08:03 PM
Toyota expected to post first annual sales decline in 10 yearsWe knew the auto industry was in bad shape and it didn't take long to extend its poisoned-tipped tentacles into the world's automotive juggernaut. In August came news that the Japanese automaker had cut its sales forecast for 2008 from 10.4 million vehicles to 9.7 million. A Japanese newspaper, though, says it expects Toyota to only sell 8.3 million for the year. If true, it would be the company's first year over year sales decline in a decade. The Nikkei Daily (subscription required) doesn't back up its prediction with any sources, but we'll know how close to the truth they get come in January when Toyota announces official sales numbers.
posted : 10/22/2008 @11:06:26 PM
Latest teaser previews 2010 Ford Mustang "power dome" hood

We now have just four weeks until the 2010 Ford Mustang is completely unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and to make everyone that much more impatient, Ford has continued its agonizing tease with this newest photo that shows a portion of the hood. The image confirms the cowl design shown by the spied 2010 Mustang hood we reported on earlier in the year. There's still no official word on whether the new hood design is functional or just for looks, but we did notice that Ford tagged the image file as "powerdome". Perhaps just a name, but we're hoping it's a sign that Ford has given its pony car a boost in power that won't leave Mustang owners too jealous of the Camaro's 400 horsepower.
posted : 10/22/2008 @11:04:05 PM
Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz E63AMG WagonA covered up E63 AMG Wagon has been caught doing the rounds on public roads before we see it in showrooms some time next year. It looks like the potential ungainliness of the new E-Class could be gracefully smoothed out by the longer lines of the wagon. Of course, even if it is still ungainly, you'll get 85 extra horsepower over the current model, which should let you get away from gawkers with increased alacrity. That also means the baby on board might need a G-suit. The "Duplo" rear lights are probably mule-only fitments, but they'd be pretty cool if they were wrapped in polished housings.
posted : 10/22/2008 @10:58:49 PM
VIDEO: Nissan GT-R documentary by National Geographic

Over four years ago, National Geographic approached Nissan to see if it could follow the development of a vehicle from conception to production for its "Inside" series. Nissan's response, "We've got something for you. It's called the GT-R." So after signing the world's thickest NDA, National Geographic's film crew was afforded unprecedented access to Nissan's design, engineering and manufacturing facilities, along with spending time at the test track and with Nissan/Renault's rock-star CEO and Manga-hero, Carlos Ghosn. The 47-minute documentary covers almost every aspect of the GT-R's development, although it's slightly dumbed-down and thoroughly over-dramatized for mass consumption. Despite that, it's an entertaining trip, and watching Ghosn almost get sick in the passenger seat of a GT-R development mule makes it even more appealing.
more ...
posted : 10/22/2008 @10:46:20 PM
Spy Shots: Hyundai developing 4-door coupe?The oxymoronic term 'four door coupe' has been thrown around a lot in the past few years, beginning with the seminal Mercedes-Benz CLS. While the Mazda RX-8, with its reverse-opening rear doors, may fit the bill a bit more accurately, the genre is primarily comprised of long and low sedans with deeply plunging roof lines. Pretty as they may be, these cars aren't the most practical choices for every day transportation, but they are proving popular enough that newcomers such as Volkswagen and now Hyundai are testing the waters with more mainstream vehicles. The Korean automaker's entry appears to be based on the Sonata mid-sizer and would likely be equipped with the same powertrain options as its less fashionable sibling. A budget model with a similar silhouette as more high priced offerings could be a winner and we hope something along these slinky lines could be on the drawing board using the Genesis sedan's underpinnings.
posted : 10/22/2008 @10:45:04 PM
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