The auto world will be in Geneva next month and Renault is definitely not missing the bus! Renault will showcase its affordable Wind Coupe at the Geneva motor show which measures 3830mm-comparable to the outgoing Peugeot 206CC. Also, it is important not to confuse the Wind with the Megan CC as it is a two-seater coupe. The affordable Wind will feature a couple of engine options which include a 100hp 1.2L engine from the Twingo GT and the 133hp 1.6L engine from the Renaultsport Twingo. Renault Wind has a roof that folds down in 12 seconds but the retractable roof integration has in no way affected the luggage compartment which accommodates 270 liters, much more than the Twingo hatchback. As per Renault, the car is readily available and sales of the Renault Wind Coupe could begin before summer.
We have lost count of the upcoming cars that have been spied testing for cold weather conditions and the latest addition is the Mercedes S Class AMG Coupe. A few of you may recognize it as the CL-Class but this is an S Class AMG Coupe which belongs to the third generation of W216 models. Set for a debut in Geneva next month, the Coupe was spotted with daytime running LED headlights, an all new bumper restyled taillights and a sturdier looking grille. Minor tweaks will be seen on the inside where the styling will be a tad different and the Coupe will pack in more technology. The Coupe which will break cover in a number of years will stay true to its engines that power the 2010 S Class facelifted model. The spied model features a Twin-Turbo V12 engine that can churn an astounding 604hp but we will to wait for long to see that engine power the factory finished model. [via WCF]
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 production ready Hyundai Veloster was expected to retain 70% of the styling traits from the Concept that first debuted at the 2007 Seoul Auto Show. The first spy shots of the Coupe during its cold weather testing reveal that Hyundai is well and truly close to the concept with its final design. The images reveal an exaggerated wheel arch with a steep windshield design joining the intersection with the roof.
A far cry from the concept design is the way the car tapers off into the sidesill. The rear is more heavily camouflaged but one can still mark the similarities between the taillight placement of the concept and the factory ready model. As far as the headlights are concerned, the triangular shaped design has been again picked from the concept. Another design trait picked from the concept but modified slightly are the centrally placed dual-exhaust pipes. Under the hood, the 2012 model which will be available later this year or in early 2011 will come with a 140 hp engine that will render 40mpg as per the speculations.
Although announced back in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda’s CR-Z hybrid coupe has failed to hit the production lines till now. But things may change as today we laid our eyes on a leaked Japanese brochure that details the 2010 Honda CR-Z model regarding its engine specs and dealer options such as an aluminium trim exterior package. Speaking of specs, the CR-Z is being powered by a 1.5L petrol engine that outputs 114hp and a motor unit that delivers an extra 14hp. Power to the front wheels is being sent with the help of a 6-speed manual transmission, which also helps the car reach 100km/h in 9.7 seconds and a fuel efficiency of only 4L/100km (58.8 mpg).
As expected, Honda CR-Z will debut in Japan, next year in February, with Europe, North America and Africa to follow suit.
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.
Our advice for those looking for an unique ride, who still have the “pocket” to buy a supercar should choose between the McLaren beast and the Mercedes SLS AMG. As far as the latter is concerned, the AMG gull-wing coupe will come with a 6.3-liter V8 engine capable of producing a whopping 563hp with 480lb-ft of torque. This stunning engine power will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox which is ideal to harness the horses. The SLS AMG clocks 3.7 seconds to hit 60mph while the overall top speed is 197mph. The high resolution images of the AMG have gone public and the car will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt event. [via MotorCrave]
Oh, the feeling of actually seeing a coupe variant for the Mini Cooper, riding the streets! We’ve already seen an SUV version and now – ending our long wait – we managed to get our hands on the first official images of the Mini Coupe Concept. It looks like the coupes are gaining popularity again, for a Prius Coupe is also in the ranks as per speculations.
The Mini version is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the typical Mini style is evident with a trademark front end. Mini Coupe should come with an aluminum roof with a reverse ball cap which is pretty much a radical side. It has massive wheels that can also be spotted with a rear bumper and twin centre-mounted exhaust pipes.
MINI Coupe will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine which will produce 211 horses and 260Nm of torque. More to it, there is an overboost functions which can increase the torque 20 notches. The Coupe will be able to clock 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and 6 seconds when the overboost is applied.
The Nurburgring Circuit has born witness to many a new car designs that get tested there and this time around it was host to the Oldtimer Grand Prix this past weekend. One of the highlights of the GP was the German Tuner Arden’s version of the Jaguar XKR 5.0L, introduced earlier this year by Jaguar.
The reworked model gets some true performance trims including the provision of a re-designed chassis that make the car more nimble and responsive. 9×21-inch alloy wheels have also been added alongwith a stainless steel quad-piped sport exhaust system. Other additions include AJ20 Wild Cat rear plus diffuser while the V-Max Suspension comes as optional. Under the hood, the power has been boosted 30bhp with 50Nm of torque which has taken the top speed to 320km/h. Exclusivity to this car is the stainless steel grill with an Arden badge which differentiates it from other models.
Audi has released new photographs of the Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster. The TT RS comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder that sports 340 horsepower and churns 332 lb-ft torque. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, featuring Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, five-spoke 18-inch wheels and exterior styling as aggressive as what’s under the hood, that’s the gift I want from Santa this year. How about you guys? How about the new Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster? [via GlobalMotors]
Unlike Porsche which is not doing that great these days, Honda is among those that are being hit by the economic downturn, but not that bad. Rumors coming from Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport and Japan’s Holiday, have it that the Japanese automaker is currently working on a sleek four door coupe. Dropped between the TSX and the TL line range, the new Acura coupe is probably going to run on a 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to Acura’s SH-AWD and Motion Adaptive EPS system. An amazing ride that sure gets the eye, we’d love to see this beauty on the streets next year, but can’t help wondering how expensive it’s going to be … [via TempleOfVTEC]
