The original Jaguar E-type is more than just an oil burning two-seater back from the 60s. Much more than that. It’s the epitome of British engineering and a symbol of world renown beauty. Even today, many motoring enthusiasts tremble before it as if it were the Holy Grail. It was one of the first cars that came with disc brakes as standard, it had a 3.8 liter engine that produced 265 hp and, according to Enzo Ferarri, at the time, it was “The most beautiful car ever made“. Today, the British place the Jag next to the Union Jack, Penicillin and the sausage in terms of national value.
What I am trying to stress here, is that undertaking a project which even vaguely relates to the original E-type is an audacious feat. So without further a due, meet Laszlo Varga – a college student from Budapest studying industrial design and his work – The Jaguar E-type Concept.
By the looks of things (renderings), Mr. Varga has pretty much managed to capture the spirit of the original. At the very first glance we notice the typical elliptic grill which serves as an assurance – “I am a Jaguar”. Other design traits seem to come directly from the Series 1 E-type. Namely, the glass covers of the headlights. It was with them, that the first E-types distinguished themselves from anything else that would come out later on. As a profile, this 2011 Concept looks a bit beefy, but the side window frame is significantly smaller than the original one and that puts even more light over the extended front end of the car. At the back, the lights are presumably LED but in essence, the arrangement is pretty much the same.
The overall idea, the modern interpretation of the E-type is fresh and daring. At the very least, Mr Varga has offered a tribute to a true motoring icon and we thank him for it.
New Fiestas have started rolling out from Ford Europe’s production line just in time to save the world from the petrol-price situation. Well, it’s not that the Fiestas are new but rather what’s inside them. Ford call it the ECOnetic Technology.
And how eco exactly is the new batch? 3.3l/100km (86.5mpg) on the EU cycle if you ask Ford. We are talking serious penny saving here – CO2 emissions stand at just 87g/km.
With figures like this, one might suspect the involvement of some ghastly plug in hybrid gizmos but that’s not the case here:
“Fiesta is already hugely successful across Europe and the ECOnetic Technology model takes its fuel efficiency and low-CO2 offering to another level,” said Stephen Odell, CEO and chairman, Ford of Europe. “Customers can be assured these significant gains have been achieved without compromising the great driving quality for which Ford is famous.”
Evidently, you get a 95PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel that provides 205Nm of torque. The frugality comes form some pretty clever, yet rather standard features – Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Eco Mode and a light that tells you when’s the best time to shift gears. The engine and gearbox have also been fine-tuned for fuel-friendly driving. Throw in some low-rolling resistance tires, wheel deflectors, a general lower stance and you’re done – the most economical Fiesta ever made.
The ECOnetic Technology is at the core of the company’s plan to make Europe greener. By the end of 2012, half of Ford’s fleet is expected to carry that very same tech.
Last week marked the end of the 82nd Geneva Motor Show – one of the biggest automotive exhibitions in the world.
More than 700,000 visitors feasted their eyes upon the creations of some 260 manufacturers while 11,500 media representatives channeled all there was to channel directly to your screens. It was a vibrant two week marathon of motoring nirvana.
There were ups and downs (mostly ups really), there was music, there was dancing…oh, and cars also.
The scale of the whole event does not allow to sum up everything in a single go and yet, we at Automobilesreview.com decided to give our humble opinion about some of the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Lamborghini Aventador Speedster J
HOT: It’s the lunacy that gets you. Gravely controversial, this topless model caused quite a stir among enthusiasts and observers.
Why wouldn’t it? It’s an Avenatador without a windscreen – first class go-kart experience, an Ariel Atom on steroids.
Despite the fact that any human being would look ridiculous inside (more so after a good trashing), nobody would dare to make a joke about it – the person inside should be, by all accounts, a man of steel.
Lamborghini Aventador J
Tata Megapixel
NOT: It’s got all the right features by the look of things: modern and round and crisp. But, even the name suggests, that it is essentially a big square.
Part of the reason why this is not getting too much attention might be because of the brand. Tata have yet to produce a car that has some aesthetic value.
We get that the idea behind the affordability and the fact that it is ideal for the streets of India but that’s just about it.
It’s too soulless and by looking at those side-sliding doors, original as they might be, we can’t help but thinking of a convenience store.
Tata Megapixel
Peugeot GTI Concept
HOT: You didn’t think we would miss a chance to include a hot hatch, did you? And hot it is this one. Peugeot 208 GTI – an audacious take on an almost thirty year old legend: Peugeot 205 GTI.
How do you stand up to the car that was claimed to be the embodiment of the hot hatch concept? How do you challenge Genesis?
At Peugeot think that an RCZ 200bhp 1.6 turbo engine, a wider-than-standard track and a multitude of handling smarts should do the trick.
We would really like to see that on the streets and chances are, we are not alone in this.
Peugeot GTI Concept
Carlsson Smart forTwo
NOT: Bringing a Smart to an autoshow is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Carlsson have made an effort to give this little critter some character but at best, they have given it an orange interior.
Power is up by a few figures – thanks to an ECU upgrade we get 110 bhp which is a lot, considering that the ForTwo weighs less than a lady’s handbag.
But unless you stick to driving it in a straight line, all is in vain we suspect as the ForTwo just doesn’t have the wheelbase for the job. It’s too short and understeery.
Carlsson ForTwo Smart
Touring Disco Volante
HOT: No. This is not hot. Hot is too much of a vulgar word to describe it.
It’s a celebration of aesthetics, a cobweb of passion and style and curves a blissful incarnation of beauty itself. It’s a history lesson as well – Conceived in the 50s, the 1900 C52 Alfa Romeo “Flying Saucer” had a profile made to last and today, the Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante is the living proof of that.
It’s a genuine car this and not just a pretty body with no engine in it. The world would be a better place with this on the streets so peace’s sake, let’s hope the motoring future looks like this.
Touring Disco Volante
Hyundai i20
NOT: Bland, gray and consumer oriented, this ok family car, with an ok engine and ok quality inside and outside might be the right purchase to make…if one does not care about cars in general and is only interested in going from A to B safely.
You know, Hyundai have a perfectly sensible guarantee policies and… not interested?
No… Understandably you are not, because the i20 will never make your hair on your back stand up.
That is of course, you don’t find yourself driving it on the wrong side of the road with oncoming traffic…while being on fire.
Hyundai i20
The Geneva Girls
HOT:…definitely.
Let’s face it. What would the show be without some models…next to the models?
A big gear-head convention with people mooning about, calculating power-to-weight ratios and arguing over naught to sixty times.
We are not saying, that the 2012 Geneva Motor Show wasn’t like that, but at the very least, the girls were there to balance things out.
We also like how this particular model is thematically coordinated with the car represented – the Bertone Nuccio concept. All Seems legitimate.
The Geneva Girls
Mia Electric
NOT: Don’t get us wrong. It’s an interesting idea this – a tubular sort of, 3 seated van.
And anything that can offer a McLaren F1 type of driving position makes us tingle with excitement. It’s called the Mia and it looks like a Smart stretch which by itself sounds ironic.
Sadly, this is where the similarities with the F1 end. Strictly for the urban environment, this French-made “Microbus” gets its power from a 13 bhp electric, but hardly electrifying, engine that has a range of around 80 miles.
True, it weighs no more than 810 kg with the batteries on board but that’s courtesy to its plastic body. Label it “hot” and it might melt.
Mia Electric
Pininfarina Cambiano Concept
HOT: Much like the Disco Volante, this concept deserves an admirable batch of flattering adjectives.
It’s beautifully styled with clean and simple lines, it has some daring features like that roof over there – no doubt eye candy for all present at the unveiling.
But while the Disco Volante is basically an Alfa 8C Competizione underneath, the Cambiano is an ultra complex plug in hybrid that has electric motors on each wheel and a small diesel turbine that can charge the batteries or provide power by itself.
The overall maximum power output reaches 600 kW with torque being 640 Nm and constantly available. Take it out for a spin and by the time the juice runs out, you’d be 800 km away from home. So, clever and sleek – certainly a pageant winner.
Pininfarina Cambiano Concept
Bentley EXP 9 F Concept
NOT: We are gravely sorry, but Bentley should stick to what they do best – making Continentals.
Just because the world has gone mad-crazy about SUV‘s does not mean that there’s a place for everybody on the market table.
Besides, its not really a looker is it? It looks like a Continental with the aerodynamics taken out – anguliar, upright and awkward.
Also, with those overcomplicated headlights and ridiculous wheels, certainly the EXP 9 F is not doing too much to win our hearts. It may appeal a footballer’s heart but that’s as far as it will go.
Bentley EXP 9 F
Gumpert Apollo Enraged
HOT: This Gumpert Apollo in particuliar is not the melt-my-heart kind of hot (the sheer size of that rear wing is hardly endearing).
It’s more like heartburn type of hot – What you are looking at is a V8 lunatic on the loose, angry and out to get you.
If underestimated, this Griffin will trample over your ego with 780 horses (from a V8!!). But you can guess that by yourself, can’t you? The clues are pretty much in how they called it – the Enraged.
What’s more, you most certainly won’t be looking too hot stuck on a speed bump, but when a ride goes that low, chances are you are going to grind over half the streets in your town. On the plus side, it’s quite probable to be an absolute hit on trackdays, leaving behind Porsches and BMW‘s trailing behind.
Fuji Heavy Industries, or Subaru if you like, plan to introduce the XV, first seen at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show back in September 2011, to the US market. It will be known as the XV Crosstrek and will have a specification made fit for the States.
Being a “compact SUV”, the Subaru XV Crosstrek is actually an elevated Impreza that will be the replacement of the current Subaru Outback. Supposedly, it has good ground clearance (8.7 inches of it), a comfy ride and a dynamic feel. For power, it used a 2.0 liter flat Boxer petrol engine that sends torque to all fours. And thanks to a Linetronic CVT transmission, Subaru claim that the XV can return 33 mpg on the highway.
In America, there will be two trim levels – Premium and Limited with the latter bringing advanced interactivity thanks to a 6.1-inch touch screen, multi-function navigation system.
The US debut will be made at the 2012 New York International Auto Show which is set to kick off on the sixth of April. Subaru’s press conference will be the day before at 9:55 am.
For a second consecutive year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been voted Best SUV by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association (RMAP). It’s an assessment company based in Denver and is ran by such people as automotive journalists, automaker-communications representatives and other motor-industry professionals. It’s been giving away awards for six years now and its word is considered to be particularity heavy. But, Jeep can’t really be impressed by a single award, can they? Recently, the company has mustered a rather hefty portfolio of tropheys.
So, the RMAP then. How did they describe the Cherokee? Well, according to Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC: “…the prominent Rocky Mountain automotive journalists have recognized Grand Cherokee’s legendary capability, comfort and refinement. We’re grateful that consumers and opinion leaders continue to appreciate the premium icon of the Jeep brand.”
The 2012 Cherokee is said to behave admirable on the road and exceptionally off it. Power can come from a V6 or a V8, depending on the buyer’s choice. It’s four-wheel-drive system comes with a torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case. Other gizmos that help rock climbing include the Jeep Selec-Terrain™ system with five terrain settings and the Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system. As a bonus to all of that, it is more economical than before – up to 23 mpg overall consumption they say.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012
The Jeepbrand prides itself with a wide list of awards from this year, given by various independent reviewing organizations:
Autobytel 2012 SUV of the Year: Jeep Wrangler
Overland Journal 2011 SUV of the Year – North America: Jeep Wrangler
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Cars for the Money – Off-Road SUV: Jeep Wrangler
Cars.com’s Play Car of the Year (Off-Roaders and Sun Lovers categories): Jeep Wrangler
The Fast Lane Car’s (TFLCar.com) Top-10 2012 Most Fun to Drive Cars: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
2012 Vehix New Car Buying Guide, Convertible Under $40,000 Recommended: Jeep Wrangler
2012 Vehix New Car Buying Guide, SUV Under $30,000 Recommended: Jeep Wrangler
2012 Vehix New Car Buying Guide, SUV Under $30,000 Recommended: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Consumer Guide Recommended Buy : Jeep Grand Cherokee
Polk Automotive Loyalty Award – Most Improved Loyalty to Make: Jeep Brand
Yet another teaser from Nissan – thrilling. This time we get a verification that the upcoming Altima has doors… four of them (or two on one side). Then they say that they have an image as well, but it’s just a still shot from the video. What good is that?
The company’s marketing strategy really is an unorthodox one. First we had a teaser which was sort of uninformative, then there was a second one which was ok-ish. The third one started to feel banal and now this. For how long do we have to piece together all of that information. At the very least, we would have to wait for the New Your Auto show which is due in April. This Altima will be the fifth-generation from a family of mid-sized, sensible saloons. It better be good as the fuss about is seems tremendous.
Good news for those who have always fancied the Cehvy Sonic Turbo but were never too keen about the idea of a stick-shift. The Ecotec 1.4L Sonic will now be available also with an automatic.
“Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant,” said Jim Danahy, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer for North American small cars. “Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”
Yes, no sacrifice in terms of power, but a skillful person behind the wheel of a manual Sonic Turbo can get from off the line, to 62mph in 7.8 seconds whereas the automatic will make that run for “about” 8.0 and there’s nothing you can do about it. Still, it’s hardly end of the world this issue.
Here’s the funny thing however – most companies nowadays claim that their automatic transmissions return better mpg than manuals even. This is not the story here. The 6-speed automatic is said to deliver an EPA-estimated economy of 37 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. The manual fares a little bit better than that: 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg urban.
Nevertheless, all is a small price to pay for the benefits of an automatic gearbox – convenience and comfort.
Chevrolet Sonic Turbo2012 Hydra-Matic 6T40 (MH8) transmission unit
Here’s a Lamborghini Mercielago LP 640. Beautiful isn’t it? Wait! Are you looking at the wheels? Because if you are, PUR Wheels have done their job properly – captivating onlookers with their rose gold concept monoblock wheels titled ’6IX’. Yes, concept wheels are a thing and we are not sure if this is coming out or is it just showing off.
Either way, one has to admit that they look stunning on this dying breed of V12 hypercars. Here, on this rather static gallery, their five, dobule-spoked design can be seen in it’s full glory. Alternatively, in motion, one can imagine that the Lambo’s 640 hp will render them into blurry swirls of golden magnificence. The body/wheel contrast of the whole thing, can only help the appeal. It’s as if blackberry jam is being smeared on honey crusted Pop-Tarts. Or am I simply hungry?
Pur 6IXL wheels on a Lamborghini Murcielago LP 630Pur 6IXL concept wheel
There’s something going on behind the curtain at Citroen‘s. Supposedl a DS9 is on its way. We don’t have much information to thrive on but rumor has it that we are talking about a replacement fot the C6 based on the Metropolis concept revealed 2 years ago at the Shanghai World Fair. Oh, and then there are these two images. So, estate it is.
The Metropolis then. It was based on a C6 platform, only longer and had a 2.0-litre V6, 272 bhp petrol engine that was backed up with a 95 bhp electric motor. Pretty standard hybrid stuff: all-electric mode, petrol mode and dual mode. A 7-speed double clutch transmission crunched whatever power was coming from the drivetrains and powered up all fours. The Metropolis was not only showcased in Shanghai, but it was also designed there (in Citroen’s Shanghai studio).
So let the guessing game begin. Will the newcomer be anything even close to the Metropolis or a completely new idea? Which markets will benefit from it?
In response to current events (the arrival of the all-new SL), Prior Design are widening their portfolio. This particular program, the PD-BlackEdition Widebody, still concerns the old, face lifted R230 SL. And we have actually seen this before, but lo and behold, a new photo shoot has been made.
Not having to do anything with AMG Black series, this PD-Black Edition Widebody kit consists of a multitude of aerodynamic parts which greatly alter the SL’s stance. There’s a Black Edition front bumper and a spoiler for it. The side skirts act as an extension for the front bumper and at the back we have another Black Edition bumper with a ferocious looking diffuser. Most kits would refrain from reaching out to anything else, but the PD-Black Edition Widebody dares to replace the front fenders with ones that have more flare in them. Additionally. the rear has been widened as well. There are mesh grill inserts here and there and the hood is new. As an option, one can go for the trunk spoiler which costs $795
Every part from the kit is TÜV certified and made from quality Dura-Flex FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) – flexible and paint friendly. All materials need for the fitment process are also included. Should an SL be pre-2008, one has to convert it to post-2008 (MOPF II). That can also be done by prior. The price for the kit however, is a bit steep – $17,130 (excluding the spoiler). What do you think? Worth it?
Soon after the release of the new Mercedes-Benz SL, and the SL 63 AMG, comes the SL 65 AMG – lighter, faster, smarter and more economical than ever. Roadster wise, this one is the top of the top by AMG at this point.
The first thing, the company wants to brag about, is the “intelligent, weight-saving construction” – Not much different from the new standard SL, the SL 65 has an aluminum body. There are also bits and pieces of carbon fiber scattered around but one would have to look hard to them. The underside of the boot lid would be a good place to start. Many pieces of the front and rear suspension are also made up of aluminum. As an end result, the new AMG roadster weighs 170 kg less than its predecessor. Mind you, that still means a total unsprung weight of 1950 kg – a cosmic figure for today’s performance open tops. Nobody sounds worried though.
This could be due to the fact that, under the hood, the SL 65 hides a 6.0 liter biturbo V12 bomb. They used the same one in the previous SL? Well this one is better. 18 hp better to be exact. Thanks to the new, larger turbochargers, new manifolds and optimised flow wastegate ducts, there is a 630 hp figure awaiting for you in the spec list. Torque stands at 1000 Nm and thus the time from zero to a hundred is reduced to 4 seconds. Top speed remains 155 mph – bound not by the restrictions of the laws of physics but rather by road law.
Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65
It’s not all raw power though. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC is clever enough to increase the fuel economy of this top-of-the-range stallion. 7 long-ratio speeds will let the V12 do its thing at lower revs while a new fuel economy torque converter, bearings designed for reduced friction loss and the transmission-oil thermal management system further increase the efficiency. Also, because it’s so modern these days, the whole drivetran comes with an ECO start/stop system that will save you pennies, especially in urban environments.
The SL 65’s manners on the road will be greatly dependant on the AMG rear differential, the AMG brakes and the Active Body Control, which surprisingly has only two settings and not ten – “Sport” and “Comfort”. They are quite self explanatory really. Apply the former on track days and switch to the latter upon returning from track days.
For the interior, much inspiration was drawn by the AMG SLS which is the definitive product of the Daimler subsidiary. The list of options alone, is big enough to render the 170 kg loss rather useless but at least you can be picky. Price tags have not yet been issued but time is all we have, as the SL 65 AMG will hit the markets somewhere around the second half of this year. Until then, feel free to check out our gallery.
Lately, a lot of Vorsteiner dealers tend to showcase exotic cars with kits and wheels from the source. This one is from Wheels Boutique in Florida. Vorsteiner VR-T components expose themselves here and there on this Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Cabriolet.
The VR-T line front bumper seems just about right for the job. It houses bigger carbon fiber air intakes and throws away the factory fog lights and headlight washer bezzles. The VR-T rear bumper works on the wide aspects of the Porsche – the flaring side vents also benefit the intercooler. The back end also gets a molded carbon diffuser with twin fins and enough space for the quad sport exhaust tips. For the overall complete feel, a VR-T rear deck lid and wing had to be heavily modified to fit on the convertible version.
At the end of the day, we have a perfectly decent roadster with a bit of character added that is ready to take you out under the blazing sun Florida. Hope it comes with sunscreen as well.
The original Jaguar E-type is more than just an oil burning two-seater back from the 60s. Much more than that. It’s the epitome of British engineering and a symbol of world renown beauty. Even today, many motoring enthusiasts tremble before it as if it were the Holy Grail. It was one of the first cars that came with disc brakes as standard, it had a 3.8 liter engine that produced 265 hp and, according to Enzo Ferarri, at the time, it was “The most beautiful car ever made“. Today, the British place the Jag next to the Union Jack, Penicillin and the sausage in terms of national value.
New Fiestas have started rolling out from 
Fuji Heavy Industries, or 
For a second consecutive year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been voted Best SUV by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association (RMAP). It’s an assessment company based in Denver and is ran by such people as automotive journalists, automaker-communications representatives and other motor-industry professionals. It’s been giving away awards for six years now and its word is considered to be particularity heavy. But, Jeep can’t really be impressed by a single award, can they? Recently, the company has mustered a rather hefty portfolio of tropheys.
Yet another teaser from Nissan – thrilling. This time we get a verification that the upcoming Altima has doors… four of them (or two on one side). Then they say that they have an image as well, but it’s just a still shot from the video. What good is that?
Good news for those who have always fancied the 
Here’s a 
There’s something going on behind the curtain at 
In response to current events (the arrival of the 
Soon after the release of the new 
