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I am very interested to know if this one will go live in 2010 as announced, but the simple fact that Mercedes and AMG are working hard to revive the legendary 300 SL that made a lot of waves during the 50s and the 60s into something that would look like this, is a big step forward.
From what I know the 2-seats W197 SLC will be built in Germany and the annual production will vary from 3,000 to 5,000 units for a price that will range between 150,000 to 200,000 Euro. No official word so far from Mercedes or AMG so we can only guess it will be powered by a 620hp V8 engine with a rear-wheel-drive.
Do you like it?
Aptera’s Typ-1 may look like it it belongs in some futuristic movie but according to the company it will be available in at the end of 2008 for a price of less that $30,000 US (under 205K ZAR).
Aptera is claiming the all-electric model can achieve a range of 120 miles (193 kms) and the hybrid model can get 600 miles (965 kms) before running out of steam. The electric model can be recharged in a few hours when plugged into a 110-volt outlet and the hybrid is a combination of electric and gas-powered generator. The company has yet to release performance estimates so speed may be an issue.
The Typ-1 is novel in that it has 3 wheels and is therefore classified as a motorcycle instead of an automobile. Behind the two front seats is a child seat that, when removed, leaves enough space for 15 grocery bags or 2 golf bags.
The Aptera comes equipped with a front crumple zone, driver and passenger side airbags and steel and composite side and rollover protection. Inside boasts of a navigation system, CD/MP3/DVD player, XM satellite radio and a UBS port.
I think the hardest driver adjustment will be to the “Eyes Forward” vision system. It eliminated the need for side mirrors and instead relies on embedded cameras that display a 180-degree rear view.
Aptera is still raising money to manufacture the Typ-1 but claims to have 400 deposits. Available only in California, for the moment, the most amusing feature of this car may just be the plus and minus signs on the gas and brake pedals. Just in case you become confused as to which does what and since you will no longer be wasting time looking in side and rearview mirrors, you can always duck under the dash and look.
[Source: MotorTrend]
If no speed limit is your motto and you live in the UK I have bad news. Apparently the Metropolitan Police teamed up with Caparo, Britain’s supercar manufacturer to create the cool F1-looking police car, Caparo T1 RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle) that can go from 0 to 100mph in just 5 seconds.Though it’s just a concept car right now, Caparo T1 RRV was designed to patrol the M25 Highway for getaway drivers or speed limit breakers. It sports 575hp at 10,500 rpm from a 3.5L V8 engine and a top speed of 200mph, so believe me you don’t want it on your tail if you did something bad.
If the concept becomes true, I am sure what I want to do when I grow up: become a police car driver.
via MotorAuthority
Audi officially revealed the new Audi Metroproject Quattro, a design study for the forthcoming Audi A1 as the German auto maker ventures into the sub-compact segment.
The Audi Metroproject Quattro is powered 1.4 liter TFSI engine that produces a total of 150 horsepower mated with a S-tronic Direct Shift Gearbox. Working as a hybrid, a 41 horsepower electric motor sits in the back allowing for a fuel-economy range of 48 mpg. This could mean that the A1 will most likely come with a hybrid variant in its lineup.
The Audi A1 is expected to come in four different variants including a three-door hatchback, a five-door and a coupe and convertible. Power is expected to come from a 1.2 liter engine that will produce up to 170 horsepower. Production on the Audi A1 is scheduled for 2009. Pictures and video after the jump (more…)
Honda’s Tokyo Show offerings include a compact-coupe concept which paves the way for a successor to the highly successful CR-X coupe which went out of production in 1997. The Compact Renaissance Zero, or simply CR-Z, should be considered as Honda’s second attempt to revive the CR-X concept, following the poorly received Remix prototype that premiered at last year’s L.A. Show. While the CR-Z is definitely much better looking than the Remix concept, we can’t say that we’re exactly thrilled with its appearance and especially with the rear end which looks, well, just hideous. In the teaser press release, Honda says that the CR-Z is equipped with a gas-electric hybrid system which achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque.
Fans of the iconic VW Golf range will have to wait with bated breaths, as the appearance of the the Golf VI is likely to be postponed. An interview with VW’s head of development Ulrich Hackenburg at the Shanghai Show established that VW’s best seller will not be replaced next spring as per original plans. Apparently, the current Golf V is still selling well and there isn’t sufficient reason to effect a hasty replacement. (more…)
Wiesmann has finally revealed its rather Batmobile-looking GT MF 5 sports coupe. Powered by a 5.0-liter V10 engine outsourced from the latest BMW M5, the car takes only 3.9 seconds to jump from zero to 60mph.
As you can see on the pictures, the Wiesmann GT MF 5 features a stiff aluminum monocoque with a front-mounted mid-engine chassis layout. The powerful motor is mated to a seven-speed sequential gearbox transmitting the power to the rear wheels.
Compared to the standard Wiesmann GT, the MF 5 has a lowered ground clearance and wider track but is 100kg heavier.
The car is expected to go into production in the second half of 2008. Price is yet to be announced.
It’s a stretch literally and figuratively - it’s the F360 Modena turned into a 23 foot long limousine with gullwing doors.
Built for limousine company Style Limousine in England at a cost of about $400,000 plus the price of the car, it seats eight people in carbon fiber seats, each with a racing belt harness. Style claims that the standard 395 hp (295 kw) engine will yield a zero to sixty time of less than six seconds.
The limousine uses advanced construction techniques for both the body and the gullwing doors. Much of the bodywork is carbon fiber, as are the doors.
The F360 stretch isn’t the only unique limousine in the Style fleet. It also includes a stretch Hummer painted bright pink, as well as other stretch Hummers, Range Rovers and Chrysler 300s. Then there’s the LimoJet – the fuselage and tail of a Lear Jet converted into a limousine.
