Nissan may be doing all the green talking with models like the Leaf — which already sounds like a sales success, but they also have other impressive plan. The rumor mill is on the grind again and if the gossip hounds are to be believed, we might soon get to witness the Infiniti M in coupe and convertible versions.
There is no conclusive evidence suggesting the arrival of these two models but the word is that Nissan is considering expanding the M Lineup to compete with the likes of the E-Class (which I tested in Stuttgart last month — the coupe) and the 6-Series. It is most likely that the models will be based on the Essence Concept if Nissan does give its production a nod-ahead.
The fist photos of the pre-production Chevrolet Camaro Convertible surfaced back in 2008, and since then, the development has taken a pretty long time. GM has finally revealed the first images of the production ready 2012 Camaro Convertible prototype through social media outfit Facebook. The convertible looks similar in design to the Coupe and a few noticeable changes include a repositioned third brake light, a trunk-mounted antenna, and a key slot for opening the rear trunk. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will feature the same engines as the coupe including a 312hp 3.6L V6, a 400 hp 6.2-liter V8, and a 426hp 6.2L V8 option. We expect the convertible to arrive by April 2011.
It is hard to remember when was the last time the auto freaks got a glimpse of the 2012 Chevy Camaro after its latest set of images have surfaced with the top down. These images have been shared by the blog forum Camaro5.com and as per the forum; it was back in 2008 that a 2012 Camaro was spotted in a GM revealed teaser.
It was last year that GM announced the delay of the 2012 model arrival but later it was mentioned that the Camarao will be released in 2010 as a 2012 model. These latest images were clicked by an enthusiast who spotted the Camaro when it was being tested in Madison Heights, Michigan which is about 13 miles north of the GM headquarters in Detroit. The car’s test driver also mentioned that the 2012 model must be available in the market by April 2011. (images via Camaro5.com)
Drooling over the brand new Volvo C-70 Convertible, the folks from Heico Sportiv have come up with a facelift tuning design that will blow you away. “Our program kicks in where Volvo’s leaves off,” says Heico Sportiv General Manager, Holger Hedtke. “It’s characterised by supplementation rather than substitution,” he added. Check out the presentation video below.
There are good news for bimmer fanatics as the details of the 2011 BMW 335is Coupe and Convertible have gone public. Both variants of the car feature a 3.0L twin-turbo N54 inline-6 engine which is capable of churning a steady 320hp at 322lb-ft of torque. There is an added turbo-boost mode which takes the toque count to 370lb-ft for situations that demand more power. BMW decided to ignore the Z4is engine as the manual six-speed transmission could not accommodate so much power.
The 335is Coupe and Cabriolet is available with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DCT. With the DCT integrated the Coupe pelts from 0 to 60mph in 5.3 seconds while the manual version takes a second extra. The drop-top on the other hand take s 5.5 seconds to clock 60mph with either of the transmission systems. The engine being stronger requires better cooling and hence BMW fitted in an extra radiator and allowed larger vents on the front fascia. The Coupe version will be shipped for $50,525 while the convertible with demand $59,075.
The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible was not just a concept and these latest spy shots from an official photo shoot confirm the fact. The ragtop will be showcased for the very first time at the upcoming North American International Auto Show and then the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. On the outside, the convertible shares the styling traits with the standard Continental Supersports thanks to same front bumper, 20-inch wheels and the smoked headlights.
On the inside, the spy shots could only reveal a similarity of the twin sport seats as of now. The difference between the standard model and the convertible is predictably the reduction in weight, and what is a rarity to the lineage are the Quickshift transmission and the carbon-ceramic brakes. Under the hood is a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine that renders 621hp and 800Nm of torque. Courtesy of the awesome power generation, the car can pelt from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 200mph. The ragtop can commute both on petrol and E85 bio-fuel.
The new Lexus IS250C is the second coupe-convertible that the brand has added to their stylish range of luxury vehicles. Shares the headlights, bonnet, door handles, and exterior mirrors with its sedan version, the IS250C has the fastest operating three-piece folding hardtop as well as the greatest amount of luggage space offered by any of its competitors in the market.
Crafted on the L-finesse design characteristics of the IS sedan, the new Lexus IS250C gets the eye with the front overhang which has been enlarged by 15mm to perk up the aerodynamic competence when driving with the top down. Speaking of which, the car ships with a lightweight aluminum hard top which utilizes 13 motors and 33 sensors with the roof converting the IS250C from coupe to convertible in a mere 21 seconds.
Specs wise, under the hood there’s the same 2,5-litre V6 and six-speed automatic transmission that outputs 153kW (205 hp) at 6,400rpm and 252Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.
The IS250C comes with a four year/100,000km full maintenance plan and should retail at R550,200.
Crazy German tuners from Wheelsandmore have decided to make the Aston Martin DB9 convertible even more badass than it is and got it tuned up, here and there. Performance wise the new custom made Aston Martin DB9 convertible gets an ECU upgrade, special 200 cells sportcatalysts and a valve controlled, stainless steel exhaust system that boosts power the stock 6.0 liter V12 engine by 60hp, to a total of 536hp. On top of being fast, the supercar also looks aggressive thanks to a special polyurethane bodykit with contending stylish sideskirts, aprons in the front as well as rear, a rear lid spoiler and a set of stylish Kahn RS-V 20-inch wheels. Looks amazing but when we think that Wheelsandmore will charge €5,999 for the wheel set, €9,000 for the body kit, €8,800 for the exhaust system, €3,400 for the ECU upgrade and €1,150, we’ll have to pass on this one.
The 2010 BMW 3-Series Convertible is supposed to arrive at the Frankfurt Motor Show and prior to the facelifted model getting showcased, the spy photographers did manage to click it again. Interestingly the convertible was still camouflaged at the front end signifying that BMW is coming up with something phenomenal. The known changes about the car include a new front bumper, fresh headlamps, LED lighting on the rear as well as a new rear bumper. Very little is known about what will be under the hood and the speculations is that a new 2.0 liter EfficientDynamics diesel engine that puts out 163hp and consumes 4.1litres for every 100kilometres will probably be there. [via WCF]
The Maserati GranCabrio was supposed to be unveiled officially at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show but just to add to the enthusiasm, Maserati has gone ahead and made the details public a month before. The Pininfarina-designed GranCabrio has been beautifully converted into an open soft-top machine that comes with a cloth roof which deploys over the four-passenger compartment, eventually keeping the weight down. Just for the records, the Maserati GranCabrio is the first four-seat convertible in the history of the company. Maserati proudly boasts about the longest wheelbase (on the market) of the car. Under the hood you find a 4.7-liter 433-hp V8 from the GT S which is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic. You surely need to be at the Maserati corner in Frankfurt to see this beauty in “person”. [via Autoblog]
