23May/130
ETC: Online Find Of The Day: 2008 Cadillac XLR picks up where Excalibur left off
Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Cadillac, Design/Style, Luxury
We try very, very hard to keep snark away from creations like the one you see here. After all, someone poured plenty of enthusiasm, time and money into turning a 2008 Cadillac XLR into a modern interpretation of the new-old cars typically done by cottage builders like Excalibur and Clénet. Even so, it's hard not to wince when you set an eye on this machine. With its wheelbase stretched to accommodate the extra bodywork, goofy sidewalls and upkicked nose (examine it in profile, it looks slightly bent in the middle), this "neoclassic" takes whatever was loveable about the Cadillac underneath and buries it in a tacky grave.
Miraculously, the engine bay has been left unmolested, which means the retractable hardtop convertible still features a 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine good for 320 horsepower. If only that were enough to outrun its shame. If, for some reason, you feel like taking this thing home, Harry Kaufmann Motorcars of Milwaukee says it can be yours for a paltry $74,998. We wish were joking. Check it out here.
Online Find Of The Day: 2008 Cadillac XLR picks up where Excalibur left off originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Next-gen Defender plans scrapped, Freelander name being dropped
Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Design/Style, Luxury, Off-Road
There seem to be plenty of reports swirling in regards to Land Rover lately. According to Autocar, not only is the British automaker going back to the drawing board for the design of its next-generation Defender, but the outlet is also saying that the Freelander name could be dropped.
While the article doesn't say why, its source indicates that current plans for the next Defender have been scrapped, yet there is a still a replacement in the works. The existing Defender will end production in 2015, but this replacement vehicle will not be ready by then. We imagine that the styling of the replacement won't echo that of the DC100 Concept shown above, and that the news would affect the planned Defender-based Tata SUV as well as the proposed Land Rover factory in India.
As for the Freelander, it sounds like the next generation of this SUV will be out by next year, but it will not be wearing the Freelander name. Instead, Land Rover will include it as a smaller version of the Discovery. Here in the States, these two vehicles are named LR2 (Freelander) and LR4 (Discovery).
Next-gen Defender plans scrapped, Freelander name being dropped originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: Meet the man whose house is designed around his car
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, Design/Style
It's been a couple of years since we last heard about Holger Schubert and his award-winning office/garage, but it looks like the city of Los Angeles, thankfully, did not force him to tear down the bridge that gives his Ferrari 512 BBi arguably the nicest parking spot in California. Petrolicious is back again with another well-done video, which finally introduces us to Schubert as well as his lust-worthy Ferrari.
As for the structure, it is half garage and half work space with an office, couch, bookshelf and television, and one hell of a view. There is a ramp that raises to allow the Ferrari to roll backward out of the garage before starting up on the aforementioned bridge that sits 16-feet above the ground. The car itself is an equally admirable piece of art, with a wedge-like shape and its reserved dark gray hue. If you're not the jealous type, scroll down to meet Schubert and his incredible Ferrari.
Continue reading Meet the man whose house is designed around his car
Meet the man whose house is designed around his car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Autoblog Podcast #334
Filed under: Podcasts, Spy Photos, Technology, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Design/Style
2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 2 Series, People trust autonomous cars
Episode #334 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 2 Series recently snagged by spy photographers, and a new study that indicates public support for autonomous automobiles. We wrap up with your questions and comments, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #334:
Topics: In the Autoblog Garage: Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross
Runtime: 01:35:28
Get the podcast:
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #334
Autoblog Podcast #334 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: Chevy Corvette Stingray shows off in Lime Rock Green
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Design/Style
It's been a while since Chevrolet offered its Corvette with green paint - well over a decade, in fact. We've known for a while that the new C7 Stingray would be available in Lime Rock Green, but haven't seen it up until now in anything but the antiseptic studio shots offered up on the Corvette's configurator. Well, we can now cross it off the list - at least online - as the first production example has been caught on video at the Lone Star Classic Corvette show by the folks at NCM Insurance.
According to CorvetteBlogger, the last production model to feature such verdant paint dates to 2001, when Chevy offered its sports car in Dark Bowling Green Metallic. But when we think of Vettes in this color spectrum, we tend to think of the Polo Green C4, a deep shade this paint reminds us of. This particular Stingray is fitted with the Z51 performance package, along with the 3LT Brownstone interior. As we think Z51-equipped cars tend to look better in darker shades (which better integrate/disguise the package's additional ductwork), this Lime Rock Green looks pretty good to our eyes.
We haven't seen new green sports cars in some time - perhaps cars like this C7 and the British Racing Green Metallic 2014 Jaguar F-Type will kickstart a revival. What do you think, does the C7 look good in green? Check out the video below and then have your say in Comments.
Continue reading Chevy Corvette Stingray shows off in Lime Rock Green
Chevy Corvette Stingray shows off in Lime Rock Green originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Aston Martin CC100 Speedster is a 180-mph centennial celebration [w/video]
Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Aston Martin, Design/Style
Generally speaking, today's Aston Martin is known more for its beauty and power than for its minimalism or lightness. But that could change if it decides to produce a version of this CC100 Speedster concept, designed to celebrate the company's centenary. The V12-powered roadster is being unveiled at the Nordschliefe today ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where it is expected to lap the circuit with Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez at the wheel. The rakish concept is a nice surprise, and will be run around the circuit along with a 1959 DBR1 with racing royalty Sir Stirling Moss in the driver's seat. No surprise, then, that designers had the company's Nürburgring- and Le Mans-winning '59 racecars in mind when they conceived of this car.Aston says that the two-seat CC100 Speedster came together in under six months time, carbon fiber bodywork and all. Powered by the British automaker's well-known naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 and six-speed sequential manual paddleshift gearbox, the company estimates 0-60 in four seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. Aston claims the butterfly-doored CC100 affords onlookers with "teasing glimpses of potential future design direction," suggesting a pugnacious new face is in store for the company.
Production hopes? None are mentioned, but even if today's Aston isn't known for its minimalism or lightness, it is known for turning concepts into production cars, and we wouldn't be surprised to learn in a few months that a handful of the company's best customers have managed to cajole it into building a handful of examples.
Oh, and about that Stirling Moss connection - forgive us if we're experiencing a bit of déjà vu. After all, doesn't this half-door speedster concept remind you a bit of another car? The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss comes to mind for us. For some reason, however, this doesn't really bother us. If it doesn't bother you either, scroll down for to watch a video from Aston and to find the official press release.
Continue reading Aston Martin CC100 Speedster is a 180-mph centennial celebration [w/video]
Aston Martin CC100 Speedster is a 180-mph centennial celebration [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 May 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak
Filed under: Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Design/Style, Electric, Racing
Preparing for next month's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi - the presenting sponsor of this year's PPIHC - has unveiled its entrant for the race: the all-electric MiEV Evolution II. Building off last year's MiEV-inspired entrant, the Evolution II has received numerous improvements, including a more powerful electric drive system, a lower center of gravity and even a more traditional racecar look. Driving a pair of MiEV Evolution II models this year will be Hiroshi Masuoka from Mitsubishi vehicle development and six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner, Greg Tracy.
Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp). For improved handling, the cars' lithium-ion battery packs help provide lower centers of gravity, and both Masuoka's and Tracy's cars have received active yaw control, stability control and redesigned anti-lock braking systems. Hopefully, this will help them stick to the mountain better. As previously mentioned, even their look has changed, with less of a wide-body i-MiEV feel and more of a racecar appearance. We think the finished product would actually make for a pretty cool Le Mans Prototype racer, or perhaps an electrically powered rival for trackday cars like those from Radical.
Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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